Jon L. Ilsley

Jon Lawrence Ilsley of Swanton, Ohio passed away peacefully the morning of January 6, 2016, surrounded by his family at Hospice of Northwest Ohio, after four years of fighting melanoma cancer. Jon, 71, was born in Toledo, Ohio on November 14, 1944, son of John Ilsley and Virginia (Sutton) Ilsley. He attended Woodward High School and participated in baseball, football, and wrestling. His summers were spent at the family cottage in Nettle Lake, OH. He was preceded in death by his mother, Virginia Ilsley, and his brother, Richard Ilsley. He is survived by his father, John F. Ilsley; wife, Robbie Ilsley; sister, Lana Maneval (Russ); stepson, Denny Walerius (Brandi); stepdaughters, Becky Ronaldson (Kevin), Deanna Eich (Tony), Lisa Harst (Jeff), and five grandsons, as well as aunts, uncles, nieces, and nephews. Jon enjoyed hunting, golfing, and spending time with his family. He was very involved in Holland Free Methodist church, Gideons Int'l and also served on the Swanton Zoning Appeals Board. He entered the United States Navy in 1962 and in July of 1966 he volunteered for training in the U.S. Navy Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Program. The training consisted of Underwater Swimmers School, Key West, FL; Chemical Munitions Training at Ft. McClellan, AL; and all types of explosive ordnance disposal training at Indian Head, MD, graduating May 1967. Jon had many EOD duty stations, becoming a Master EOD Technician. Later Jon advanced to the rank of Boatswains Mate Chief (BMC). Jon was a Vietnam Veteran and received much recognition and accolades for his service. Many of his awards had multiple stars on them. He served his country proudly, with distinction and great enthusiasm, until his retirement from the U.S. Navy on December 1, 1989. Jon lived in Montana after retiring from the Navy and moved back to Swanton, OH in 1993 where he worked for the State of Ohio before retiring in May 2014. Jon and Robbie were married in July 2006 and thoroughly enjoyed their home near Oak Openings Metropark, traveling and visiting with their children and grandchildren. He was greatly loved and will be missed by all those that knew him. Visitation hours will be held at Walter Funeral Home, 4653 Glendale Ave., Toledo, Ohio on Sunday, January 10th from 2:00-8:00 p.m. The Funeral will be held Monday, January 11th at 10:30 a.m., at Holland Free Methodist Church, 6605 Angola Rd., Holland, OH. Contributions can be made to Hospice of Northwest Ohio, Gideon's Int'l or Holland Free Methodist Church. walterfuneralhome.com