Jess F. Bailey, 95, Oakland City - Dubois County Free Press, Inc.

Jess F. Bailey, 95, Oakland City, passed away Friday, January 13, 2017, at the Northwood Good Samaritan Home in Jasper.

He was born in Pike County on February 17, 1921, to Alva and Stella (Strode) Bailey.

Jess graduated from Stendal High School and played on a sectional-winning basketball team. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army serving during WW II in the 749th Tank Battalion. He was a coal miner, retiring in 1986. He worked as a heavy equipment operator for Old Ben Coal No. 1 mine for over 40 years and was a member of U.M.W.A. He was a member of the Oakland City First General Baptist Church, where he served as a trustee.

He is survived by two sons and daughters-in-law, Steven and Constance Bailey of Holland, Mich. and Tony and Joan Bailey of Oakland City; daughter-in-law, Sarah Bailey of Indianapolis; a sister, Renelda Erwin of Terre Haute; a brother, Paul Bailey of Stendal; five grandchildren, Jennifer (Craig) Newton of Bloomington, Susan (David) Eldridge of Cookeville, Tenn., Mike (Kitty) Bailey of Carlsbad, Calif., David (Erica) Bailey of Bristol, Dr. Jessica (Thomas) Reynolds of Atlanta, Ga.; and six great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife of 73 years, Mabel L. Bailey, who passed way in 2014; son, James Bailey; sister, Elsie Barrett; and six brothers, Amel, Charles, Luther, Herschel, Floyd, and Marvin.

Funeral services will be 9:30 a.m. Wednesday, January 18, 2017, at the Oakland City First General Baptist Church, with Rev. Darin Nossett and Rev. David Eldridge officiating. Burial will follow in the Montgomery Cemetery. Visitation will be from 3 until 7 p.m. Tuesday at the Corn-Colvin Funeral Home in Oakland City and from 8:30 a.m. until service time Wednesday at the church. Military Services will be conducted by the Retired Military Veterans.

Memorial contributions may be made to Oakland City First General Baptist Church. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home and the church. Condolences may be expressed, or you may light a candle at www.corncolvinfuneralhome.com.