Jon Andrew Witherell, 14 May 1965 - 17 Jun 2010

WITHERELL, MORNINGSTAR, THOMAS, DONAHUE

Posted By: Sandy Ficken (email)
Date: 5/21/2015 at 17:05:32

Witherell, Jon Andrew (In Memoriam)

Jon Andrew Witherell, 45, of Marion, Iowa, beloved son of Judy (Witherell) Morningstar and Richard Morningstar, passed away into the loving arms of his Heavenly Father on Thursday, June 17, 2010, at Mercy Medical Center, Cedar Rapids, following a cerebral hemorrhage.

Visitation will be Sunday, June 20, from 2 to 5 p.m. at Cedar Memorial Park Funeral Home, 4200 First Ave. NE, Cedar Rapids. Funeral services will be held at 3 p.m. Monday at Cedar Memorial Park Chapel of Memories, with Pastor Michael Kleeberger of Squaw Creek Baptist Church officiating. Immediately following the service will be a time of friendship and refreshments at the Cedar Memorial Park Family Center.

Jon was born to Donald Witherell and Judy (Thomas) Witherell on May 14, 1965, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. He was baptized as an infant at Lovely Lane Methodist Church and was also confirmed there in his preteen years. Jon graduated from Kennedy High School in 1984. He earned his bachelor’s degree in science at Coe College in 1991 and became a chemist like his father.

He married Ann Donahue of Parnell on Oct. 30, 1993. They later divorced in 2002.

Jon began working as an environmental chemist for the Linn County Health Department in 1996. He loved his work and also volunteered his services on the Hazmat team. While living in Amana, he served as a volunteer fireman.

In 2000, he was given the Governor’s award by Gov. Vilsack for forming a task force that removed dangerous chemicals from school labs and also taught safe chemical management in schools.
In 2005, Jon moved into his own home in Marion and his life became complete. He was surrounded by loving and fun neighbors who quickly became his friends and his second family. They offered him picnics, birthday parties, swimming in their pool, water balloon fights and a chance to be silly. He became an “uncle” to their children, reading stories, telling jokes, doing chalk drawings in the driveway and going to their games and concerts.

Jon had several hobbies and one of them was cars. Just like his stepfather, Richard Morningstar, Jon never met a car he didn’t love. Jon owned a red 1968 Austin Healey Sprite which he entered in many cars hows. With the top down and sporting a large windup key between the front and back seats, with painted eyeballs stuck to the headlights, and an oversized pink tongue made from carpet material hanging from the grill, it was a favorite with children of all ages and he won several trophies, including a Best of Show. Children often asked about how many key winds were required to make the car go.

Jon began having memory problems in 2007 and was diagnosed with cerebral amyloid angiopathy, a disease that ultimately causes early-onset Alzheimer’s disease; the same genetic disorder that affected his father and many other members of his fathers’ family. He was forced that same year to retire from the job he loved, but he didn’t sit around feeling sorry for himself. He began studying about the research being done on Alzheimer’s and volunteered himself as a test subject at three different research centers.

He began attending Alzheimer’s meetings and became active in the East Central Iowa chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association, making friends with the wonderful staff members. They became his third family. He gave many speeches about his Alzheimer’s disease experience and was so proud when he was given the Alzheimer’s Advocacy Award in 2008 and 2009 and was also elected to the board.

He also faithfully attended church service every Sunday and served as an usher at Squaw Creek Baptist Church. Pastor Kleeberger and his congregation became Jon’s fourth family.

Jon was preceded in death by his father, Don Witherell; uncles, Larry and Vaughn Witherell; and grandparents, Ray and Mildred Witherell and Myrtle Thomas.

He is survived by his mother, Judy Morningstar; stepfather, Richard Morningstar; brother, Scott (Marie) Witherell, and children, Elena and Lisa, of Bloomington, Minn.; stepbrothers, Mike and Steve Morningstar of Los Angeles; aunts, Helen and Anna Mae Witherell; and several cousins.

Always the good Samaritan, Jon donated his brain to a research center hoping it would help in the fight against Alzheimer’s disease. We marvel at the courage, strength and faith he showed and he served as an inspiration to all.

If you wish, memorials in Jon’s name may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, 1570 42nd St. NE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52402 or to Squaw Creek Baptist Church, 1410 44th St., Marion, IA 52302.

Please leave a message or tribute to Jon’s family on the Website,

Gazette, Posted on Saturday, 19 June 2010