Jon M. Ogle

Jon M. Ogle

(January 14, 1939 – March 15, 2023)

No more breakfast excursions to restaurants and diners throughout central Indiana, and no more unannounced visits to his extensive family. Jon M. Ogle passed away peacefully, at his home, surrounded by his loving wife, Linda, his daughter, Sandy and his son, Mike, on the evening of March 15^th.

His beautiful mind finally exhausted his body, but he is content knowing that his life is now a part of history, that he so cherished. Jon never left Hamilton County for long periods of time, but his life and those around him was filled with adventures.

He was born January 14, 1939 in Sheridan, at home, to James F. and Martha (Johnson) Ogle.  He was second in line behind his brother Jimmy, and ahead of his sisters, Dona, Vicki, and Lisa; all of whom remain behind to cherish his memory.

Jon’s touch with history began at an early age when he and his siblings were raised on the grounds of the Eli Lilly farm at Conner Prairie and had many encounters with Mr. Eli Lilly, Jr. who had his own love of history and was the primary catalyst behind Conner Prairie Living Museum.

He survived his childhood to graduate from Carmel High School in 1957, and soon afterwards, married his high school sweetheart, Linda Nevitt.  He joined the service, and became an aerial photographer for the U. S. Navy, which would influence his early career direction to commercial photography, and later, his life-long passion for flying. He logged many hours in the “Mooney”; and later, determined to continue flying after failing his physical, built an experimental plane.

His treasured family began while Jon was stationed in Jacksonville, Florida, when Linda gave birth to their daughter, Sandy. Two years later, they became a family of four, with the arrival of their son, Jon Michael (Mike).  Little did the children know that they would be embarking on a life-long series of trips to historical sites and museums throughout the eastern half of the United States; but also benefit from the weekend drives visiting aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, and nephews.

Although Jon immersed himself in history books for most of his life, particularly Gettysburg and the Civil War, his mind was always itching for new career opportunities. He left the world of commercial photography for food service, joining McMahon Foods. He would later start his own food distribution company serving the Indianapolis public school system. He eventually left the food service industry, discarded the dress clothes, and pursued a career as an independent commercial & residential painter and wallpaper hanger; which he did successfully for over 10 years. During this time, politics came calling. Although Jon never had any ambition to be in politics, he nonetheless served the people of Hamilton County as a County Councilman for 7 years, and later served as the County Auditor for 2 terms.

While their children were busy starting their own families, Jon and Linda began taking their own trips throughout the United States, but the trips that brought both of them the greatest joy were the short and simple drives to visit their grown children Sandy (Mike) Leagre and Mike (Linda); their 6 grandchildren: Joshua (Mindy), Ryan (Quinyahna), Adam (Elizabeth), Jacob (Samantha), Hannah (Brandon) and Isaac (Sarah); and 13 great grandchildren: Aidan, Ella, Emrie, Langston, Lennox, Will, Maren and Genevieve Leagre, Mae, Rainey, Camille, James (Jimmy) Ogle and Aelin Sagaser.

Although tears will fall; Jon Ogle, a son, a brother, a husband, a father, a grandfather, a great grandfather, and a friend, gifted us a rich collection of memories to lift and hold our hearts.

Memorial contributions may be made to American Heart Association, PO Box 840692, Dallas, TX 75284-0692 (www.heart.org).