Jon C. Spain (66) of Gays (Lake Mattoon)

Jon C. Spain, 66, of Gays (Lake Mattoon), passed away at 2:04 p.m. Friday, January 12, 2018 at Carle Foundation Hospital, Urbana.

Jon was born on Sunday, August 26, 1951 at Vandalia, IL to Delles and Lorene (Wright) Spain. He married Deborah Ann Ingle on August 23, 1973 and she preceded him in death on November 29, 2016. He graduated from St. Elmo High School in 1969, where he played on the football team. He worked for the family business, Spain Construction, and then started a video store. Later, he and Deb moved to Mooresville, Indiana where they lived for many years. He worked for Estes and other trucking terminals before becoming an owner/operator that allowed him to travel all over the United States. Lastly, he was employed at Advanced Auto Parts, Mattoon. One of his proudest moments was serving as assistant coach of the Morgan County Broncos 2A Federal Football League in 2000, where his team “won-it-all” with a 14-1 record. In later years, he and Deb relocated back to Illinois at Lake Mattoon where they enjoyed fishing out their back door.

Jon is survived by: sisters, Paula Jo ‘Jody’ (John) McWhorter of St. Elmo, Angela (Vernal ‘Buck’) Merrill of St. Elmo, Jackie (T.W.) Hern of Arlington, TX, and Jeri (Bobby) Musson of Astoria, brother-in-law and close friend, Lindley ‘Epp’ Ingle of Mattoon; sisters-in-law, Kathi (Merrill)  Habbe of Van Alstyne, TX, and  Carolyn (Larry)  DeVantier  of Gravois Mills, MO, and Glenda (Gale) Warner of Altamont; step mother, Joann Connor of St. Elmo and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, sister-in-law, Launa Jean Fair.

A memorial service will be held at 2:30 p.m. Sunday, March 18 at Union Cemetery, Altamont followed by a celebration of life at the Gieseking-Schwerdtfeger V.F.W. Post 7676, Altamont. Gieseking Funeral Home, Altamont is assisting the family with arrangements and online condolences may be expressed by clicking here.