Nov. 8, 1921 – March 21, 2011|

Melvin H. Jones, retired chief of the Waukesha Police Department, died Monday, March 21, 2011, at the age of 89. Mel was born Nov. 8, 1921, in Janesville. He was the fourth oldest of 10 children born to John and Alice (nee Dunphy) Jones.

He is survived by his wife of 25 years, Jean.

Mel grew up in Waukesha, and at the age of 20, was inducted into the Armed Forces during World War II. He served honorably from August 1942 to October 1945. Mel was a platoon sergeant assigned to M Company, 320th Regiment, 35th Division. After being seriously wounded by German gunfire during a battle near Mortain in 1944, Mel received a Purple Heart.

Upon his discharge from the service, Mel married his longtime girlfriend, Margaret Scholl. They were married 32 years and had two children, Thomas Jones of Waukesha and Beth Hess of Jackson. Marge died unexpectedly in January 1978.

Mel joined the Waukesha Police Department on Feb. 16, 1950. He began his 28-year career as a patrolman and was later promoted to sergeant, lieutenant and captain. In 1966, Mel was appointed chief of police. During his tenure, Mel served as president of the Waukesha County Police Chiefs Association. He retired on Dec. 31, 1978.

Upon retirement, Mel volunteered as a tour guide at Old World Wisconsin from 1983 to 1987. He was a charter member of St. William Parish and president of the first parish council in 1968. Mel was a life member of the Waukesha Elks Lodge No. 400, where he served at trustee. He also was a member of the Knights of Columbus and American Legion Post No. 8.

Mel was an avid golfer and in his final hours joked about the buddies he had outlived for a round of 18 holes. He also enjoyed parades, marching bands, traveling, bowling, reading and spending his winters in California.

Mel is also survived by his son, Thomas (Conni) Jones; his daughter, Beth (Winter) Hess; four grandchildren, Rebecca Ulik, Gwen Hess, Brittany (Keith) Gormanson and Lindsay (John) Rode; three great-grandchildren, Matthew Ulik, Nathan Ulik and Lexi Rode; and his stepchildren, Tom (Marcy) Mueller, Steve (Cindy) Mueller and Susan (Steve) Berg, and their children, Alisha, Steven, Evan and Gabrielle Berg and Matthew and Monica Mueller.

He was preceded in death by his brothers, William, Robert, Stanley, Gordon, Frederick and Kenneth Jones, and by his sisters, Alice Mathews, Betty Jane Dabson and Virginia Kennedy.

Visitation will be held from 14 p.m. until the 5 p.m. vigil service Sunday, March 27, at Church and Chapel Funeral Home, 380 Bluemound Road (at highways J and JJ, four blocks south of Interstate 94), Waukesha. A Mass of Christian burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. Monday, March 28, at St. William Catholic Church, 440 N. Moreland Blvd., Waukesha. Burial with full military honors will follow at St. Joseph’s Cemetery.

If desired, memorials in Mel’s name may be made to the charity of your choice.

Church and Chapel Rudolph-Larsen Bros. Funeral Home is serving the family. For more information, call 549-0659 or visit www.churchandchapel.com to view the online obituary, leave condolences or receive directions.