Candlelight vigil, burial set for Aneth toddler

WINDOW ROCK

A candlelight vigil and a funeral service for Anndine “Cookie” Jones, who was 4 years old, are scheduled Friday and Saturday.

According to the Jones family, the vigil will begin at 6 p.m. on Friday at the family residence, which is located about located 2.5 miles from Utah State Highway 162, next to McElmo Creek, north of the Aneth Chapter House in Aneth, Utah.

On Saturday morning, Jones’ body will be escorted by a procession of motorcycles at 7 a.m. from the Ertel Funeral Home in Cortez, Colorado, and travel south on U.S. Highway 491 and take U.S. Route 160 to Utah State Highway 162, and go through Aneth before turning right onto Ismay Road, which locals also call “McElmo Creek Route,” to the Cahone Mesa Church of God.

Services start at 9 a.m. and burial will be the Jones family plot.

The church’s pastor, Lynn Begay, said a large white tent will be set up by the church, as well as signs for people wanting to attend the funeral who are not familiar with the area.

The pastor added that since there are no landmarks to help drivers, signs will posted for those traveling through Aneth, beginning at the intersection of State Highway 162 and Ismay Road. A second sign will be posted about 9 miles north/northwest of the state road, instructing drivers to turn left, or north, and drive for about 8 miles before reaching the church.

The young toddler went missing on March 14. After a massive three-day search, rescue personnel and volunteers, using drones, boats and divers searching along the creek and the San Juan River, were unsuccessful in locating her. Navajo Police suspended the operation. However, her family and volunteers continued searching.

Two volunteers, Kevin and Christian Day, discovered the body of Jones on the evening of April 3 along McElmo Creek, three miles south of their home. The family resides about 3 miles north of the chapter house along the creek.

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