Myrtle Jones

Myrtle C. Jones, 92, of Beach Park, passed away peacefully on Thursday, September 3, 2026.

She was born on August 26, 1934 in Waukegan to Lois (Carrington) and Edward Brewer. Myrtle “Mert” was a kind, gentle and loving woman whose greatest joy was her family. She had a generous heart and truly loved giving, more than receiving. If you had the privilege of meeting Mert, you loved her. She had a warmth about her that made people feel cared for and welcome.

Mert especially cherished the time she spent with her daughter, Betty (Jones) Glander and husband, Gary Glander; her granddaughter, Kimberlee Glander Fantauzzi and husband, Michael Fantauzzi and last but certainly not least, her great-grandson, Zander Fantauzzi…the light of her life! They were the center of her world, and she took great pride and joy in watching them grow and sharing in their lives. She also deeply loved and cherished her siblings, Virginia (Chuck) George of Springboro, Ohio; Chester “Chet” Brewer of Waukegan; Helen Collins of Wadsworth and now, Arizona; and Alicia (Bill) Todd of Spring Grove; as well as her longtime, dear friend (and chosen) sister, Doris (Steve) Smith of Wadsworth. Mert was preceded in death by siblings: James “Jim” Brewer of Colorado; JoAnne Brewer of Waukegan, then Ohio; Edward “Eddie” Brewer of Waukegan; Sara Anderson of Kenosha; Nancy Brewer of Florida; and Grace Larsen-Cliff of Waukegan and Winthrop Harbor, then Ohio. Mert is lovingly remembered by 72 nieces and nephews, as well as the many friends whose lives she touched.

Mert was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Odell Jones, whom she married on August 1, 1952. They shared 68 years of marriage before his passing on November 5, 2020.

Odell will be celebrating his heavenly 100th birthday the day Myrtle will be laid to rest.

Mert enjoyed the simple pleasures in life. She took great pride in her flower garden and loved knitting and crocheting. She especially enjoyed attending the Wednesday morning knitting group in Zion, started by her dear friends Mary and Loretta. She truly treasured the friendships she made there. In her later years, she developed a particular passion for playing the slots, always enjoying herself and making the most of the moment. Mert worked at Illinois Bell in Waukegan as a telephone operator and also was responsible for assigning telephone numbers to new customers. That’s how she got 872.5000 as her home phone number. She also worked and retired from Fansteel in North Chicago, where she was a receptionist and telephone operator.

Just before her passing, Mert celebrated her 92nd birthday surrounded by her family she loved so dearly. Her hospital room was filled with beautiful birthday cards, flowers and balloons sent by family and the many friends whose lives she had touched. It was a beautiful reminder of just how deeply she was loved and cherished by so many. She was especially excited and happy when her beloved nephew, Bryan, from Mississippi, made a surprise visit to her in the hospital. She treasured the time they were able to spend together. Mert will be remembered for her gentle spirit, her generous heart, her love of family and friends, and the many lives she touched simply by being herself. She always said she was “strong like bull”, and she was … right to her last breath. Her memory will live on in the hearts of all who knew and loved her.

Visitation will be held at Congdon Funeral Home on Saturday, September 12, 2026, from 10:00 until 11:00 am, followed by a service at 11:00 am. Burial will follow at Benton Greenwood Cemetery in Beach Park. Family and friends are then invited to gather for a luncheon at a nearby restaurant.