Cleo Jones Johnson, 92, of Rexburg, died June 19, 2015 of natural causes. She was born August 3, 1922 to Joseph Thomas "Jody" and Verna Randall Jones. Her early years were spent in the Lorenzo area, before the family moved to Rexburg. In 1933, her father completed the basement of a new home, in the southwest corner of Rexburg, into which the family moved. Cleo lived in that home for 82 years until the time of her death. She graduated from Madison High School in 1940 and from Ricks College in 1975, after her children were grown.

Cleo and her four younger siblings were orphaned in 1941. Their extended family allowed the children to stay together in their home. Cleo soon married Gerald Johnson, who lived just down the street. He moved into the Jones home with his new bride and a built-in family. She became the mother of six of her own children, three of whom she raised to maturity.

Cleo worked part time as a bookkeeper while raising her children, and full time as a retail store manager for 20 years.

She was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served in many positions in the church, including a full-time mission to Australia with her husband and about 50 years as a typist for various LDS patriarchs. She wore out several typewriters in this endeavor.

She was an avid local historian and member of the Upper Snake River Valley Historical Society. Her love of history also helped her enjoy her membership in Daughters of the Utah Pioneers.

Cleo was preceded in death by her husband, Gerald; a brother, J.T. Jones; an infant sister, Phyllis; two half-sisters, Mabel Valentine and Alberta Muir; and four of her children, Gerald C, Gayle, Glenna, and John. She is survived by two sons, Keith (Reva) Johnson of Centerville, Utah, and Brett (Judy) Johnson of Rexburg; a son-in-law, Paul Conlon of Taylorsville, Utah; 14 grandchildren, 34 great-grandchildren; siblings, Robert (Barbara, deceased) Jones, Clyde (Helen) Jones, Eileen (Robert) Powell; and a sister-in-law, Carol Jones.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, June 27, at the Rexburg 23rd Ward Chapel, 345 South 3rd West. The family will receive friends Friday evening from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. at Flamm Funeral Home in Rexburg and Saturday from 10:00 to 10:45 a.m. at the church prior to services. Interment will be in the Annis Little Butte Cemetery.