Jon A. Burnside, 78, of Findlay, passed away on Wednesday, January 21, 2026, at 6:52 p.m. at Blanchard Valley Hospital. Jon was born on January 28, 1947, in Galion, Ohio, to the late Grace G. (Born) Burnside and J. Arnold Burnside. Jon had two sisters: Nancy Mayers (John) and his twin sister, Rebecca Fetter (Jack). He was preceded in death by his parents, his sister Rebecca, and his brothers-in-law, John and Jack.
Jon married the love of his life, Sandra (Hamilton) Burnside, on June 19, 1981, at Emanuel Lutheran Church in Marion, Ohio. Together they have three children: Dawn (Robert) Burnside Carlisle of Upper Arlington, Ohio; Jackie Hamilton of Richwood, Ohio; and Martin Hamilton of Columbus, Ohio. They also have ten grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
Jon graduated from Marion Harding High School in 1965 and studied psychology during his service with the United States Air Force. After his service, he continued his education at Heidelberg College in Tiffin, Ohio.
He proudly spent four years serving his country in the USAF and served in the Vietnam War. He was a disabled American veteran due to his exposure to Agent Orange. Living with the devastating effects of Agent Orange, he found true friendship with classmates and teachers through his Cardiac Rehab program and his Parkinson’s class, both of which he looked forward to each day. True friendships were formed.
He retired from the Best Buy Loss Prevention Department in 2009. He had also been a member of Kiwanis of Findlay and was a lifetime member of the AmVets in Findlay.
He truly was an avid fisherman and hunter. He enjoyed hitting the casino occasionally. In the last few years, he enjoyed exercising and riding his bike on the back country roads of Findlay.
Together, he and Sandra also loved the performing arts and often attended live performance theatre. They also enjoyed traveling and camping, especially in Michigan. Most of all, they loved spending time with their family and friends and made many trips to do so.
He and Sandra were longtime members of First Lutheran Church in Findlay.
He was an amazing husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. He was loved immensely by his family and friends and will be greatly missed.
A visitation will be held from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, February 5, 2026, at Emanuel Lutheran Church, 241 S. Prospect St., Marion, OH 43302, with a funeral service beginning at 11:00 a.m. A graveside service will take place at Chapel Heights Memory Gardens, 2622 Marion–Upper Sandusky Rd., Marion, OH 43302.
Memorial contributions may be made to The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research or First Lutheran Church, 109 E. Lincoln St., Findlay, OH 45840.
Online condolences may be shared at www.kirkpatrickbehnke.com.
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