From the family of Elijah Jones:

On May 29, 2007, our family received the most wonderful gift in Eli, but that gift wasn’t ours to keep. We are certain that on December 5, 2023, Eli went home to be with God. We believe that Eli’s great faith is being used for great things in Heaven. His light will be missed, and he will live forever in our hearts.

In this time of great sorrow for our family, we have been strengthened by your prayers, comforted by your words, and sustained by your acts of kindness. We are especially grateful for our family, friends, church, and the Bluffton school system, football team, and community as a whole. Thank you for showing us that you are on our team - Eli’s team.

We know that Eli’s spirit will live on in this family and in each of you. It is our hope that the Elijah Jones Memorial Fund will also continue his memory for years to come. Thank you for your amazing generosity in the creation of this fund. It will support Christian scholar athletes like Eli and the faith-based activities that he found such inspiration in.

Our hearts are broken, but not shattered. They are being carefully held by our God, by Eli, and by all of you. We ask for your continued prayers for Eli and for us. You have our thanks, and may you have God’s peace.

Brad Jones, Laura Wiechart Jones, Samuel Crisp, Anna Schroeder