Obituary of Jon Romnes

Ocala: Jon R. Romnes (a.k.a. "The Big Guy") passed away with family by his side on November 13, 2008 following a brief but courageous battle with cancer. Born October 4, 1936, in Stoughton, WI to Bjarne & Harriett (Tholo) Romnes, Jon moved to Longwood, FL in 1983 and came to Ocala in 2001. Jon received his Bachelor's Degree from the University of Wisconsin, Madison and was in the U.S. Air Force ROTC. While in the USAF, Captain Romnes flew F-100's at Nellis AFB, Las Vegas, NV. As a younger man, Jon enjoyed skiing, track, and speed skating competitively and for pleasure. Always a car fanatic he raced competitively in SCCA & IMSA. Throughout his life, Jon loved flying and anything to do with motor sports. He was passionate about military history and enjoyed the stories and camaraderie of many of Ocala's veterans and members of the Yankee Air Force, EAA, AOPA. He enjoyed the arts and loved to draw, always hoping to pursue painting. Jon's greatest joy came from family and close friends all of whom knew his "spark" for life. Jon is survived by, sadly missed, and his memory shall always and forever be held close to heart by his wife of 32 years, Mary Romnes; son Joel (Colleen) Romnes; daughter Joni Welzien, daughter Vicki Romnes, son Jeff Romnes; son Erik (Brittney) Romnes; grandchildren, Shaun, Garrett, Justin and Taylor; great granddaughter Tamryn; brothers Paul (Barbara) Romnes and Per Hans (Becky); his former wife of 20 years, Janice Romnes and many nieces and nephews. Memorial service will be held on Friday, November 21, 2008 at 11:30 AM at Joy Evangelical Lutheran Church, 7045 SW 83rd Place, Ocala, FL with Pastor Ed Holloway and Pastor Sean Ford officiating. Inurnment to follow at Florida National Cemetery, Bushnell, FL at 2:30 PM with Military Honors provided by Angela Santos VFW Post #4781. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in Jon's memory to Cancer Research.