John Owen Ison, 71, of Kingston, died at 2:53 a.m. Thursday, March 30, 2023, at Adena Regional Medical Center in the arms of his angel and wife of 50 years, Cora, who had lovingly cared for him through various health issues over the past three years.

John was born on May 5, 1951, to the late Anna Darlene and Owen Loren Ison. He was lovingly raised by his mother and his father Arthur Jean Wood along with his siblings Rick, Mary, Joseph, and Amy. On Dec. 9, 1972, he married Cora Russell and became the father of Tonya and later Marci and Jona. His girls gave him four grandchildren, Cortney (Michael) Strattron, of Washington Court House; Alexander Velazquez, of Chillicothe; and Haydon and Brenley Proctor, of Chillicothe; and two great granddaughters, Mckinlee and Carlee Stratton.

John was a loyal, loving, and hardworking husband and father who taught his girls to be strong, independent, and caring. In 1986, he and Cora finished building their home together on three acres of land near Hallsville. He supported his family by working trick shift for 31 years at RCA Thompson in Circleville where he was a respected and well-liked shift supervisor for many of those years. When the plant closed, John went to college at Ohio University-Chillicothe where he earned an associate degree in computer programming and then went to work alongside Cora in the IT department at Berger Hospital in Circleville where they retired together in 2016. After retirement, John and Cora began working on their home again, making updates and improvements they had long wanted to do.

John never knew a stranger and seemed to know someone everywhere he went, even when on vacation with his family in another state. He loved catching up with classmates at reunions for Chillicothe High School's class of 1969 and attending various family gatherings. Former coworkers describe John as being a great guy who was friendly, fair, and very funny. Even as health issues plagued him in recent years, nurses and aides were charmed by his wit, ornery smile, and twinkling blue eyes.

For many years, John enjoyed bowling in a league with coworkers from RCA Thompson. He loved the peace he found with nature while hunting, mostly deer, often with his cousin Mark Krider. John also enjoyed music, especially in his younger years when he'd play guitar and sing for his daughters.

John is survived by his wife, two daughters, Marci (Brent) Proctor and Jona Ison, both of Chillicothe, his grandchildren and great grandchildren. Also surviving is his brother Joseph (Linda) Ison, of Kingston; sisters Mary Anderson and Amy (Eddie) Wolfe, both of Chillicothe; sisters-in-law Luella Ison, Becky Russell, and Penny Russell; brothers-in-law Jimmy and Randy Russell; son-in-law Daniel Riley; sister-in-law Lori Russell; and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents; an infant twin sister to Amy, Ava Wood; his brother Rick Ison; his daughter, Tonya Riley; brothers-in-law Bill Russell, Chuck Russell, Larry Russell and Mark Anderson; sister-in-law Ethel Adams; and nieces Amanda Ison and Jamie Russell.

Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Monday, April 3, 2023, at WARE FUNERAL HOME with Pastor John Hocker officiating. Burial will follow in Grandview Cemetery. Friends may call from 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday, April 2, 2023, at Ware's.

You may sign his online register at www.warfh.com