Jon Bailey
Jon Bailey, father, grandfather, wildlife artist and designer, died suddenly and unexpectedly July 19, 2018.
Jon David Bailey was born Dec. 4, 1937, to Lee and Helen (Parry) Bailey in Cleveland. From a very young age, he had an unwavering interest in art and cars. He graduated from Parma High School in 1956 and from the Cleveland Institute of Art in 1963.
Jon proudly served in the U.S. Navy, stationed in Jacksonville, Florida from 1959-61. He returned to Cleveland, where he met and married Mary Ann Swift in 1964, and together they had three daughters who thought the world of them.
Jon worked as a designer for Chrysler, Addressograph-Multigraph and later taught at the Cleveland Institute of Art while launching his career as a wildlife artist.
Jon and family moved to Wooster in the mid-1980s, where Mary Ann was hired as the director of nursing at Wooster Community Hospital.
Jon enjoyed photographing nature, Ohio barns and was well known for his wildlife artwork. Along with Mary Ann, Jon established Windwillow Gallery and Frameshop.
While living in Wooster, Jon also worked as a designer for Rubbermaid. Jon and Mary Ann loved to travel, taking extended road trips across the United States and visiting their daughters and their families.
Jon is survived by his daughters, Carol (David) Waterman of North Haven, Maine, Susan (Kelly) Schmidt of Lake Elmo, Minnesota and Barbra (Dan) Stevens of Bend, Oregon; grandchildren, Craig and Avery Waterman, Luke and Logan Schmidt, and Jack and Coco Stevens; and many extended family and friends including Judi Foote, the McCarter family and companion Linda Ferjutz.
Mary Ann died in March 2015, shortly after celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary. Jon lived a full and happy life, and those who knew him are honored to be a part of the dash between the day he entered this world and the day he left it.
Jon was involved with many organizations. Some of his favorites were Parma High School Alumni Association, Wayne County Habitat for Humanity, The Wilderness Center, Trinity UCC Breakfast Program, Wayne Center for the Arts and Triple Nickel.
Jon's artwork was used on Christmas cards benefiting hospice for several years. Jon felt a deep connection to Native Americans and their plight. He introduced three generations of his family to the Oglala Lakota Indians through community service on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota.
A memorial gathering is planned for Sept. 28 at Auble Funeral Home, 512 E. Oak St., Orrville. Visiting hour will be from 2-3 p.m. with the service from 3-4 p.m. and a reception immediately following at TJ's in Wooster at 359 W. Liberty St.
Jon would be thrilled if you planted flowers in your garden, played a few hands of solitaire or took your family out to the Parlor Restaurant in Downtown Wooster in memory of him.