Msgt Jon Blair Irelan

MSGT Jon Blair Irelan, 49, of New Virginia, died Monday, July 22, 2013 at his home. Funeral services will be held at 5 p.m., Sunday, July 28, 2013 at Ochiltree Funeral Service in Winterset. A visitation will be held from 1 to 5 p.m., prior to services Sunday. A graveside service with military honors will be held at 11 a.m., Monday, July 29 at the Iowa Veterans Cemetery, near Van Meter. Memorials may be directed to the family to be used for his sons’ education. Jon was born in Ottumwa, Iowa on December 21, 1963. Jon was a career United States Marine, giving 26 years of service to the Corps and his country. After retirement, he started his own handyman business and became admired as a master builder and able to fix everything from computers to remodeling homes. Jon was a member of the American Legion. He enjoyed hunting and fishing especially when accompanied by his sons. His greatest loves were his sons, family, God and his country. He is survived by his sons, Zachary Jon and Colton Blair Irelan both of St. Charles; his mother and stepfather, Rose and Chuck Robinson of Albia; his father and stepmother, Gene and Melba Irelan of Ottumwa; brother, Doug (Roxann) Irelan of Weldon; sisters, Susan (Gordy) Lampier and Pam (John) VanWardhuizen both of Albia, half-brother, Danton Irelan of Ottumwa; grandmothers, Marian Zimmerman of Iowa City and Mabel Irelan of Ottumwa; and numerous nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, and cousins. Jon was preceded in death by grandfathers, Clellan Irelan and George B. Zimmerman; step-grandfather, George Robinson; and a niece, Cheyenne Upshaw.