2025 Journal-Yearbook

Illinois Great Rivers Conference 2025 Journal-Yearbook

While at Illinois Wesleyan, Anne was a cheerleader and member of the Alpha Gamma Delta sorority. She started dating the president of the student body, Bill Jones, and married him seven months later. Anne served beside Bill in ministry for over 40 years at these United Methodist churches across the former Central Illinois Conference: Center-Henton, Hammond, Quincy: Ver- mont Street (Assoc), Ashland-Eckman Chapel, Clinton, Monmouth, Moline First, Decatur Grace, and Peoria First, who where they retired in 1993. Truly a hostess at heart, Anne enjoyed entertaining friends from around the world. In some cases, Anne and Bill hosted guests for a great meal they prepared together; in others – including beloved exchange student Anita Prather – guests became family and lived with them for years. A very hard-working and organized person, Anne did not like to sit still. She and Bill trav- eled whenever possible, visiting all the United States, and many trips to Palestine, Haiti, Singapore, Greece, and Europe. She loved feeding her hummingbirds at their A-frame home on Table Rock Lake in Missouri and fishing with Bill off Florida’s Gulf Coast. She listened to St. Louis Cardinal games on the radio faithfully. Anne added beauty to every setting she was in, including her homes, many church altars, and through gifts to others. Gratefulness filled her heart and was often offered through delicious baked goods. She also enjoyed playing the vibraharp and singing in choirs. Anne attended Cypress Lake UMC in Fort Myers, Fla.. She is survived by her three daughters, the Rev. Cynthia Jones of North Fort Myers, Fla., Deborah (William) Phillips of Las Cruces, N.M. and Jan Ellen (Jack) Morse Decatur; four grandchildren, Elizabeth Jones, Rachel Jones, Julie Nalley (Brandon), and Jared (Kara) Morse; as well as six great-grandchildren, Benjamin Settles, Isabella Settles, Eden Nalley, Mackenzie Houston-Nalley, Eli Morse, and Eva Morse. A Celebration of Life was held Dec. 7, 2024, at Moweaqua First UMC – a service that jointly celebrated the lives of Anne and her beloved husband of 70 years, Rev. Dr. James William Jones (Bill), who passed away on July 20, 2020.

Dalene A. Kuebler 1959-2025

Rev. Dalene A. Kuebler, 65, died May 17, 2025 in Bloomington. Dalene was born Dec. 7, 1959, in Abilene, Kan., a daughter of Dale and Mary Underwood Alexander. She married Ronald E. Kuebler on March 4, 1983, in Eureka. He survives. Dalene spent more than 25 years in ministry with The United Meth- odist Church. She began as an associate pastor in Eureka, before

serving congregations in Seymour, Centerville, and White Heath; and later at Kankakee: St. Mark and Wesley UMC’s. During her time in ministry, she continued her education by earning her bachelor’s degree from Eastern Illinois University in 2006, her Master of Divinity from Christian Theological Seminary in 2012, and ordination as an Elder in the Illinois Great Rivers Conference in 2015. Her ministry was marked by a faith that never grew complacent. She continually questioned her beliefs and challenged doctrine that strayed from Jesus’ example of love for all. Dalene retired from active ministry in 2022 to devote more time to her husband, family, and friends. She had a gift for bringing people together, organizing the annual cousins’ camp and family vacations that became treasured traditions. Whether at home or traveling the world, she was never without a puzzle, board games and a scoop of ice cream or gelato.

256 Memoirs