Jonathon Lynn Abernathy

Published 8:20 am Monday, April 2, 2018

November 21, 1945 – March 22, 2018

Jonathon Lynn Abernathy died unexpectedly in Bend on March 22, 2018, at the age of 72.

Jon was born November 21, 1945, to Lynn and Doris Abernathy in Portland. Raised in Portland, he graduated from Washington High School in 1963. Jon was drafted into the Army as a Corpsman and served in Vietnam as a medic.

Jon found the love of his life, Diane Meritt, in 1968 and they moved to Bend in 1976, where they lived in the Alfalfa community for 40 years. He worked at Willamette Industries KorPine particle board plant from 1975 until the plant’s closure in 2002, and subsequently worked at St. Charles Hospital until his retirement in 2008.

Jon is survived by Diane, his wife of 50 years; three sons, Jonathon (Sherri), Benjamin (Audrie), and Christopher (Elizabeth); five grandchildren, Kaitlyn, Brandon, Hillary, Grant, and Colby; his sister, Donna Beard; and four nieces.

The family plans a Celebration of Life on Saturday, April 14 starting at 3:00 p.m., throughout the afternoon at the Environmental Center, located at 16 NW Kansas Avenue in Bend.

In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations to Bend Spay and Neuter Project or the Humane Society of Central Oregon made in his name for his love of animals.