Marlin A. Jontra

Marlin A. Jontra, age 91, passed away on July 12, 2026, in Wheaton, Kansas.

Marlin was born November 17, 1934, in an old rock farmhouse belonging to his maternal grandparents, Frank and Theresia Fagan, near Onaga, Kansas, to Arley Earnest Jontra and Violet Theresa (Fagan) Jontra. He was the third child in the family with an older brother, Mark, and a sister, Millie. Later, two more brothers were added to the family: Melvin Jontra and Larry VanHorn. Marlin spent his years growing up on the family farm, where he worked and established core values for his future.

Schooled in Emmett and Onaga, he served in the Air Force in Alaska for 4 years. He became the mechanic the pilots asked to check their planes. Later, he worked at Goodyear for 30 years. He retired, bought an 18-wheeler, and “took to the road”. A few years later, he and his wife, Jackie, bought a farm near Wheaton and retired.

On June 24, 1981, Marlin married Jacqueline Dalton at the Rossville Christian Church. Marlin took great pride in his role as a family man, cherishing time with relatives and celebrating his loved ones' accomplishments.

Marlin had a particular fondness for John Deere tractors, baling hay on his land, and tending to his garden. Auctions, antique dish collecting, and outdoor activities filled his leisure hours. He was known for his resourcefulness—there wasn’t anything Marlin couldn’t fix—and for the lighthearted orneriness that endeared him to many. Reading and watching movies were favorite pastimes, and he especially valued the moments shared with his grandchildren. He was also a member of Jimmie Lillard Post No. 31 of the American Legion at Rossville.

He is survived by his daughter, Lisa (Mark) Jones; a sister, Millie (Jack) Jontra Dravo; half Brothers, Larry (Janet) Van Horn; five grandchildren, fourteen great-grandchildren, and two great-great-grandchildren; and Nieces: Penny (Green) Dravo, Cherry (Boyd) Dravo, Diana (Denning) Dravo, Carole Jontra, Melissa Kay (Hannah) Jontra, Melanie (Stewart) Jontra, Elizabeth (Keene) Jontra; Nephews: Brian Van Horn, Jeffrey Van Horn, Travis Jontra, and many Grand and Great Grand Nieces and Nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, wife Jackie Jontra, and brothers Mark Jontra and Melvin Jontra.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, July 23, 2026, at Campanella & Stewart Funeral Home. This will be immediately followed by a visitation from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the same location. Memorial contributions may be made payable to the Onaga Weightlifting Club and left in care of Campanella & Stewart Funeral Home, PO Box 48, Wamego, KS 66547.