Dwain "Spike" E. Jones

Dwain “Spike” Jones was born on August 3, 1928, the only child of Earl and Polly (Syverson) Jones. Spike grew up in Welch Valley on the family farm. Weather permitting, he rode his pony to the Welch Valley School. Spike also used his pony to pull a berry cart to Sparta. The berries were hand picked by Spike and his first cousin, Smith.

Shortly after graduating from Sparta High School, he married the love of his life, Betty Mossholder. They celebrated their 72nd wedding anniversary on May 12, 2020.

Spike’s first entrepreneurship was to purchase peanut machines and put them in gas stations. Over several years, he developed a successful “peanut route.” During this time, he and his father started Jones’ Grocery on Central Avenue, Sparta. Over the years, Spike expanded his business to a new store on Black River Street (Jones Fairway). This business grew to become Jones Plaza.

In the 1970’s, Spike got out of the grocery business and purchased Creative Display with his good friends, Harry Quandahl and Dave Oswald. Of the many sculptures that Creative Display designed and produced, Spike was especially proud of the 143 foot musky made for Hayward, WI.

Is is being used as a fresh water fish museum. The musky sculpture attracts approximately 100,000 visitors each year. Then in 1980, Spike and his son, Jeffry, purchased and ran the Sparta A&W. Besides being a businessman, Spike felt it important to be involved in his community. Thus, he was an active member of Sparta Jaycees, Rotary, Sparta Chamber of Commerce and Masonic Shriners. Spike served on the Board of Directors for the Morrow Home and the Wisconsin Food Dealers Association. He was very proud of being elected President of Wisconsin Food Dealers Association.

When not working or fulfilling his civic responsibilities, he loved to spend time with family and friends on the Mississippi River. He enjoyed pulling water skiers and cruising down the river in the “Judy Ann.” He and Betty helped form a group of Sparta and La Crosse boaters, known as the River Rats. They would promote no littering and organized clean ups of sand bars.

Later in life, as snowbirds, Spike and Betty drove their motorhome to Arizona, where they spent time with family and friends. With the Convertible Club, Spike and Betty enjoyed summer days cruising Wisconsin rural roads.

Spike passed away on Saturday, October 16, 2021 at Sparta’s Morrow Home – Bridgepath at the age of 93. He was preceded in death by his parents Earl and Polly (Syverson) Jones; son David Jones; wife Betty (Mossholder) Jones.

Spike is survived by his daughter Judy (Dale) Roberts of Sparta; son Jeffry Jones of Sparta; grandsons Neil (Lindsay) Roberts of Sherwood, OR, Andy Jones of Sparta; granddaughters Megan Jones of Seattle, WA, Kaleigh Jones of San Francisco, CA, Emily (Fernando) Lobato of Sparta and Dana (Josh) Von Ruden of Sparta; and five great-grandchildren Ty, Ella, Rylie, Axel and Freya.

Private interment to be held on Saturday, December 4, 2021. A public memorial service will be held on Saturday, December 4, 2021 at 1:00 PM at Lanham-Schanhofer Funeral Home and Cremation, Sparta, with Chaplain Priscilla Hemmersbach officiating. Honorary pallbearers will be Norman Foellmi, Roger Jerome, Dave Oswald, Jim Syverson, Jerry Syverson and Lloyd Chenoweth. A celebration of life will follow, from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM at Club Oasis in Sparta.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Spike’s honor to the Sparta Rotary (PO Box 732, Sparta, WI 54656).

Lanham-Schanhofer Funeral Home and Cremation is assisting the family with arrangements.

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