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<\/a>Mr. Amundson retired this past spring after 45 years in education and was serving as president of the Van Wert County Historical Society at the time of his death. He grew up near Linton, N.D., but received a scholarship to attend high school at Wesington Springs Academy in South Dakota. After graduation, Jon attended Spring Arbor University in Michigan, where he met his wife, Sandy, and they were married in 1968. During his college years, he transported mail between Indiana and Michigan. In 1967, he graduate college with a major in biology and then taught life sciences for 10 years at Northwest Junior-Senior High School in Jackson, Mich. In the summer months, Jon worked for Dexter Pump Service and Southern Michigan State Prison, both located in Jackson.<\/p>\n
In 1977, Jon and Sandy moved to Van Wert, where he taught at Crestview High School for 35 years. In 1981, he received a master\u2019s degree in environmental education from Michigan State University. While at Crestview, he served 13 years as athletic director, and also held the positions of assistant athletic director, football coach, track coach, bus driver and announcer. For nearly two decades, he also co-owned Economy Painting Service.<\/p>\n
Jon served as a trustee and as president of the Van Wert County Historical Society. He was the founder of the annual Cross Roads of America Antique Tractor Tour event. He also volunteered as an adult leader in the Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts and was a Vigil Honor Member of the Boy Scouts of America. Jon was a member of Calvary Evangelical Church in Van Wert and also attended North Union United Methodist Church in rural Van Wert County, where he was the chairperson for the Outreach Ministry.<\/p>\n
Jon had a passion for woodworking and John Deere antique tractor restoration. He was the proud grandfather of six grandchildren and owner of a 1928 John Deere \u201cD\u201d tractor \u2026 and loved to talk to anyone about either of those subjects over a cup of coffee.<\/p>\n
In addition to his wife, survivors include a son, Major Troy (Wendy) Amundson of Waterville; two daughters, Tracy (Jim) Loughrie Jr. of Mooresville, N.C., and Tricia (Steven) Berryman of Van Wert; two brothers, Orland (Karen) Amundson of Hartville, Mo., and Galen (Angela) Amundson of Willard, Mo.; two sisters, Kay (George) Haddix of Renton, Wash., and Verda (Jeff) Reeves of Phoenix, Ariz.; and six grandchildren, Colin and Connor Loughrie, Abigail and Jacob Amundson and Parker and Sophia Berryman.<\/p>\n
A sister, Karen Amundson (in childhood), also preceded him in death.<\/p>\n
Funeral services will be conducted at 10 a.m. Friday, September 21, at Calvary Evangelical Church in Van Wert, with Pastor Clark Williman officiating. Burial will be in Woodland Cemetery in Van Wert.<\/strong><\/p>\n Calling hours are from 1-8 p.m. Thursday, September 20, at the church.<\/strong><\/p>\n Preferred memorials: Memorial Scholarship Fund for Crestview science students in his name (Jon Amundson Memorial \u201cTree\u201d Scholarship); Van Wert County Historical Society, Campus Crusade for Christ or Mission Aviation Fellowship.<\/p>\n Arrangements were handled by Cowan & Son Funeral Home in Van Wert.<\/p>\n