Jonas L. Fultz

Died: Jan. 14, 2013

MOUNT MORRIS, Ill. -- Jonas L. Fultz, age 78, passed peacefully into the arms of Jesus and eternal life on Monday in OSF St. Anthony Hospital, Rockford, after a short, courageous battle with cancer.

Jonas was born Dec. 17, 1934, in a coal mining camp in the Cumberland Mountain community of Insull, Ky., and was the son of the late Monroe and Phoebe (Wilder) Fultz. He moved to Fairborn, Ohio, when he was 14 years old.

Jonas graduated from Fairborn Baker High School in 1954, where he played football during his high school years and developed his passion for auto repair.

He attended Walters State Community College in Morristown, Tenn., where he studied Business Administration and Management.

He attended Walters State Community College in Morristown, Tenn., where he studied Business Administration and Management.

Jonas married Joyce A Shewsbury in 1955 in Indiana. She preceded him in death. He married Linda McNeil on Dec. 30, 1978, in Fairborn.

His career spanned 39 years in the rotogravure printing industry, moving into supervision after completion of training programs.

He worked for printing companies in Dayton and Springfield, Ohio, then moved to American Greetings (Plus Mark) in Greeneville, Tenn.

Jonas then worked for Quebecor Printing Company in Mount Morris, retiring in 1993, and worked six years with Kable News Company, Mount Morris, retiring in 1999.

During this time, he continued to pursue his love of engine and transmission building and auto repair. He mentored many friends over the years in those skills.

Jonas was an avid NASCAR fan, and was also passionate about restoring and showing classic vehicles. He was an accomplished coordinator/promoter of classic car shows in the Ogle County (Ill.) area.

Jonas was an EMT for the Mount Morris Fire Department for several years in the 1990s.

He was a member of the Samuel H. Davis Lodge No. 96 in Mount Morris, a 32nd-degree member of the Freeport Consistory in Freeport (Ill.), and a member of the Tebela Shrine Temple in Rockford.

Jonas is survived by his wife: Linda Fultz; two daughters: Joan M. (Don) Strouth of Fairborn and Ginger S. (Bill) Johnson of San Antonio, Texas; a son: Jonas F. Fultz of Rockford; six grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; uncle: James Joe Wilder of Overland Park, Kan.; aunt: Elizabeth Wilder Green of Pineville, Ky.; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Jonas continuously sought ways to help others and wished to continue that practice by donating his body to the NIU Medical Study.

Memorial services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday in the Mount Morris Evangelical Free Church with the Rev. Bruce McKanna and the Rev. Herman Brown officiating.