There is a somber mood at Ironton Junior High School today.

A young man that fellow students had prayed for, kept in their thoughts and encouraged died Wednesday morning at Children's Hospital in Columbus.

Shane Jones, 13, an eighth-grader at the junior high, succumbed after a long battle with Leukemia.

Principal Jerry Watson said he received the news during first period yesterday and announced to the students over the intercom what had happened.

Sharon Baptist Church Youth Minister Mike O'Bryant delivered a school-wide prayer, and other youth ministers were called in to talk with the students.

"The first couple of periods were bad," Watson said. "The kids just mingled and comforted each other. Shane was such a fine young man."

Members of the school's Kids Care Club had a fund-raiser for Jones last Saturday at Pick 'N Save. Members of the club bagged groceries and asked for donations to help defray the cost of his medical expenses.

There also have been some other fund-raisers recently.

Watson said the school may opt for a special remembrance next week after the students have dealt with initial shock of Jones' death.

Funeral arrangements for Jones are pending at Phillips Funeral Home in Ironton.