Marsby John Jumonville

Marsby John "Buddy" Jumonville, 81, of Ocean Springs, MS, passed away Friday, August 27, 2010, in Ocean Springs. Mr. Jumonville was born in Biloxi and a lifelong resident of the coast. He attended Notre Dame and Biloxi High Schools where he was a star athlete. He went on to play semi-pro football with the "Galloping Gales". A well known businessman with a renowned reputation as an expert on laying, sanding and finishing hardwood, he founded Jumonville Hardwood Floors in 1951. He was known for his honesty and was the utmost expert with his degree of knowledge of his trade. His reputation for quality and excellence was known through the region. He, his sons and grandsons have taken his business through several phases of developing the quality of his product for three generations. Mr. Jumonville had a passion for the outdoors and a great love of raising cattle, racing and showing horses. He loved his farm and spent the best days of his life riding his tractor through his pastures to see his livestock. Just before he passed away his last calf was born on the full moon. He was a member of the Ocean Springs Masonic Lodge, the Homebuilders Association and various hardwood flooring associations. Mr. Jumonville was preceded in death by his parents, Marsby John Jumonville and Rosalie Davis Baria and a sister, Joann Jumonville Nichols. He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Margaret Covacevich Jumonville; three children, Sharon, David, Buddy and his wife, Linda Rider Jumonville; two sisters, Blanche Pitalo and Madge Heitz; three grandchildren; two great grandchildren and of course, his very favorite dog, Mattie. The family extends their deepest appreciation to the doctors, nurses, hospice and staff of Ocean Springs Hospital as well as Home Health Care workers. Due to his long struggle with heart disease, in lieu of flowers the family prefers memorials be sent to the American Heart Association, Greater SE Affiliate, P O Box 840692, Dallas, TX 752841. Funeral services will be 2:00 p.m. Monday, August 30, 2010, at Bradford-O'Keefe Funeral Home, Howard Avenue, in Biloxi where friends may visit one hour before service time. Interment will follow in Southern Memorial Park.