Patricia Knobloch Jones

Patricia Knobloch Jones, 87, of Pottsville and Quail Ridge, Florida, passed away on Thursday, June 30 at the Lehigh Valley Medical Center in Allentown. Born in Hazleton and raised in Pottsville, Patricia was the daughter of the late Phillip Knobloch, a noted local architect who among other landmarks designed Pottsville’s City Hall and the Pottsville Area High School, and the late Emily Schuhle Knobloch. 

Together with her late husband William L. Jones, Jr. and his late brother John E. Jones II and late sister in law Maryalyce Jones, Patricia was the last living member of the first generation of owners of Hidden Valley Golf Course, Friendensburg, and the four other public golf courses located in Pennsylvania and New Jersey that operate under the Distinct Golf designation. Patricia served as chairwoman of the family businesses, and remained active in their management until the time of her death. She was an avid and accomplished golfer until late in life, and was several times the ladies club champion at the Schuylkill Country Club. 

Patricia’s life was marked by civic engagement, including the local community chest, Children's Home, Girl Scouts, and Pottsville Ladies Auxiliary. She was of the Protestant faith, and a dedicated and active member of the United Presbyterian Church in Pottsville. 

After graduating from Pottsville High School in 1947, where she served as head majorette, Patricia graduated with a degree in teaching from Hood College in Maryland, class of 1951. After returning to Pottsville, Patricia married William, better known as Bill Jones, with whom she had three children, sons William L. Jones, III, CPA and Robert Jones, and daughter Elizabeth Jones. For many years Patricia taught school in Pottsville and surrounding districts. After Bill’s death in 1995 Patricia seamlessly assumed a leadership role in the family businesses, and her children, grandchildren, nieces, and nephews benefited from her steady hand and wise counsel. She was in every sense the respected matriarch of the Jones family, and relished her elder stateswoman title. While kind and loving, Patricia was also unafraid of providing an unvarnished opinion when necessary. 

In addition to her parents and husband Bill, Patricia was predeceased by daughter Elizabeth, and sister Emily M. Zacko. She is survived by son William and his wife Eileen, of Pottsville, and son Robert and his wife Linda, of Pine Grove, sister Caroline E. Spires, Abington, VA., as well as grandchildren William Jones IV, Brian Jones, Amanda Jones, Rebecca Lonergan, Amy Jones, and Adam Jones. She is also survived by six great-grandchildren, numerous nieces and nephews, as well as many grand nieces and nephews. 

Services will be conducted on Tuesday, July 5 at 11:00 a.m. at the United Presbyterian Church in Pottsville. Friends may call at the church from 9 a.m. until the time of service.  Interment will follow the service at Charles Baber Cemetery.

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