Jake Hughes

Ronny “Jake” Hughes, 73, of Montezuma and formerly of Oskaloosa and Gibson, passed away Friday, March 14, 2014, at the Montezuma Rehab. and Care Center in Montezuma, Iowa. Ronny Gene Hughes, son of John Marion and Edna Vauline (Malin) Hughes, was born August 9, 1940, in Oskaloosa, Iowa. He attended Oskaloosa High School and then began working for Jerry Smith’s Motorcycle Shop as a mechanic, a job he would continue throughout his working life. He later was employed by Paul Van Zee at Van Zee Motors and then owned and operated his own repair shop in What Cheer, Hughes Repair. Jake retired in 1994, he was residing at Gibson at that time. In 2002, he moved to Oskaloosa; and in 2009, his health require a move to the Montezuma Nursing and Rehab. Center. Jake enjoyed working with his hands and all things mechanical, he built race cars and model air planes and also enjoyed woodworking. Racing was a family activity for the Hughes and Jake was the “go-to” person for all questions about racing and race cars. January 25, 1958, he was united in marriage to Donna Lee Knowler in Oskaloosa. They were the parents of seven children. Donna passed away February 4, 2014. Jake’s family is grateful to all the residents and staff of Montezuma Nursing and Rehab. and to Iowa Hospice for the family-like and loving care given to Jake the years he was a resident at their facility. Those left to cherish his memory are his children: Dean (Debbie) Hughes of Rose Hill, Ronny Hughes of Beacon, Jerry (Sandy) Hughes of Oskaloosa, Jay (Jamie) Hughes of Knoxville, Rhonda Thomas of Oskaloosa and Doreen (Tom Hudson) Hughes of Thornburg; 17 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; his siblings: Nancy Randall of Oskaloosa, Becky Van Essen of Beacon, Diane (Pat) Dea of Atlantic, IA, Sally (Rob) Dannels of Rose Hill, Doug (Esther) Hughes of Hoisington, KS and Jim (Joan) Hughes of Beacon. In addition to his parents and his wife, Jake was preceded in death by a son, Brian Hughes, a daughter-in-law, Jackie Hughes, two infant brothers, Larry and John and an infant sister, Darla. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m., Tuesday, March 18, 2014, at Garland-Van Arkel-Langkamp Funeral Chapel in Oskaloosa with Pastor Alvern Boetsma of The Good News Chapel officiating. Visitation will begin at 11 a.m., Monday at the funeral chapel; the family will be present to greet visitors from 5-7 p.m. Burial will be in Woods Cemetery in Adams Township, Mahaska County. Memorials may be made in his name to the family.

Jake Hughes

August 9, 1940 - March 14, 2014