Jon Edward Kilborn

Jon Edward Kilborn, 83, passed unexpectedly but peacefully at his home on Oct. 3, 2024. He went to his eternal rest in his sleep while the world awoke to what his mother would have called a beautiful “Indian Summer” day. The golden autumn sun sought to bring comfort to the many who grieve his passing and it was Jon’s parting gift to everyone he loved.

Jon was born on Dec. 9, 1940 in Ypsilanti, MI, to Karl and Dorothy Kilborn. He grew up during World War II and for a time lived with his maternal grandmother Mary Smith in Petoskey, MI while his father served in the U.S. Navy and his mother worked in the Ypsilanti Bomber Plant supporting the war effort. The family grew to include 10 children and settled in Bay City, MI. Jon attended T.L. Handy High School and did a variety of jobs during his life, including becoming an owner/operator truck driver. 

He married Judy Vermeesch on April 14, 1962 and together they raised daughters: Shelly (Jody) Solinski and Kimberly Kilborn, both of whom survive him. Jon and Judy divorced but throughout their lives they were united in their love for their children. Later Judy had two daughters, Tammy (Mark) Ludy and Holly (Scott) White, both of whom had a special place in Jon’s heart. Shelly, Kim, Tammy and Holly all survive. Judy predeceased her family in 1991.

Jon married Helen Wade Wrisley on Feb. 11, 1986 and together raised Helen’s two children Denise Wrisley and Troy (Diane) Wrisley and later in life Jon and Helen raised grandchildren Andriana Maria Garcia, Jon Goodwine and Andre Goodwine all of whom survive. Helen predeceased Jon in 2021 after a long illness.

When Helen became very ill, Jon attended to her needs at home as long as he was able. And when she required nursing care, which was during the COVID pandemic, Jon visited every day that it was allowed, oftentimes navigating snow drifts to be able to see Helen at her window. When in-person visits were permitted, Jon signed up each and every week to visit and they spoke by phone multiple times a day. They loved their time together and now they will be reunited in heaven. 

In addition to Maria, Jon and Andre, several other grandchildren survive: Brandon (Jessica) Solinski, Brittney (Aaron) Rose, Justin (Shannon Marie) Moore, Cody (Devin) Moore and Nick Wrisley. Surviving great grandchildren include: Brody, Brantley and Remi Rose; Emily, Jack and Benjamin Solinski; Jordan and D’Angelo Goodwine; Iliana and Izaiah McGhee; Xander Phillips; and an eagerly awaited great granddaughter on the way from Justin and Shannon Moore.

Jon was a member of the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians and was proud of the heritage he shared with his beloved mother, grandmother and his siblings.

Jon was predeceased by his parents; his mother- and father-in-law Art Wade Sr. and Jessie Newman Wade; brothers Roger Smith, Richard Kilborn and Kevin Kilborn; sisters Jane Kilborn and Donna VanPelt; sisters-in-law Elizabeth Kilborn, Carol Smith, Bonnie House and Mary Ellen Swinehart; brothers-in-law Michael and Billy Wade and Ben Swinehart; granddaughter Brandi Leigh Solinski; nephew Karl Van Kilborn II; and niece Sherri Kilborn Siebert.

Jon is survived by his siblings: Karl Van Kilborn, Joel Kilborn, Lance Kilborn (Sue Ralph), Linda Kilborn and Cheryl Kilborn (James Tarchinski) and sisters-in law Pattee Kilborn, Elaine Kilborn Susan Sullivan and brothers in law Gary VanPelt and Don (Susan) Wade. Jon is survived by many nieces, nephews and grand nieces and grand nephews, cousins and friends.

Cookouts, fish frys and road trips with bologna and olive loaf sandwiches with Jon, who made room for everyone, will long be remembered by his children as well as his many nieces and nephews, including Kym Johnson, Roger Smith Jr., Lisa Roper, Lori VanPelt, Terri Podgorniak, Jeff Kilborn; Nelson Hurst; Lance and Brooke Kilborn; Kevin and Joel Kilborn and Lauren Pauwels; Robert Tarchinski; and Kellie Sherlock and Jason Swinehart.

After years of being on the road as a truck driver, Jon lived a good life at home. He loved making a big pot of soup, growing tomatoes and cutting the grass; he washed and waxed his cars to a showroom sheen. He loved cars and throughout his life he drove a great variety of makes and models, from a 1939 Cadillac to the King Midget and so many in between. He and his brothers knew every car show in the area and attended them all.

Later in life, Shelly and Kim monitored his health, visited him weekly and called him daily to check in. He loved his daughters and delighted in their visits. When his children or grandchildren – with great grandchildren in tow – or his nieces, nephews or siblings would visit, call or pick him up for a ride it would make his day. His door was always open and everyone was welcome. He loved his home – and especially the front porch his brother Lance built – and shared it with everyone who visited.

As a young man his brothers and sisters remember Jon arriving home in his white convertible with red seats, his favorite Johnny Cash 8-track tape playing at highest volume and him jumping out of his car, smartly dressed, and announcing his arrival with humorous swagger: “I travel fast and I travel alone!” And soon all the kids and dogs would all pile in an off they would go on to the next adventure. As a young man was the center of all things fun and as an adult his nephew summed it up simply and best: He was a kind and decent person.

We will miss you, Jon Boy. You had a great ride in life. And we loved riding shotgun with you.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the Gephart Funeral Home,201 W. Midland Street, Bay City, MI 48706. Memorial Service will take place at Gephart Funeral Home on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024 at 11 a.m. Visitation will be held at the funeral home on Thursday from 10 a.m. until the time of the service. Inurnment will take place at Elm Lawn Cemetery, 300 Ridge Road, in the spring. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to Wishes of the Family.