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Funeral services Wednesday for miner killed in cave-in

Posted at 5:37 PM, Mar 26, 2013
and last updated 2013-03-27 19:04:50-04

HUNTINGTON, Utah - Funeral services were held Wednesday morning for a miner killed in a cave-in last Friday.

28-year-old Elam Jones was one of two miners trapped when the Rhino Mine caved in last Friday. The other miner, Dallen McFarlane, was rescued and taken to the hospital. Jones was found dead in the mine.

Jones was a fourth-generation coal miner. He loved his job and talked about it all the time, but he knew it was dangerous.

"I am so proud of my son. God has a plan. I might argue with God's timeline for us, but I know Elam's spirit is still going and strong and still making people happy," said Julie and Derk Jones, Elam's parents. "I want everybody to know that he loved his job and that he loved digging coal for everybody in this nation."

Elam's family says he loved three thing: his family, snowmobiling and the mine. His friends describe him as fearless and funny.

"It's a family. You might not know each other after work, but at work you watching each other's back and you take care of each other," said Jeremy Montgomery, a friend of Elam's.

Elam leaves behind a wife and two young sons.

Related story:
One miner killed, one injured in Emery Co. cave-in