Jonathan Louis Willers, the son of Dwayne and Norma (Jensen) Willers, was born on May 15, 1958, in Norfolk, Nebraska. He attended Tarkio High School in Tarkio, Missouri, graduating in 1977. A gifted athlete, Jon was an All-American in football and qualified for state in both track and wrestling.

On October 20, 1979, Jon was united in marriage to Sonia J. Carnes at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Westboro, Missouri. Together they built a life rich with love, adventure, and family. They became the proud parents of four children: Jordan, Taylor, Cord, and Madison.

Jon’s entrepreneurial spirit led him and Sonia to own and operate Iowa Ventilation, a hog confinement ventilation business. They later expanded into Mid Prairie Products, a commercial feed and confinement operation spanning three states. In the 2000s, Jon worked for Simmons Restoration in Bedford, Iowa, until his retirement in 2019.

Jon found his greatest joy outdoors. Fall was his favorite season. He enjoyed stepping outside to see his breath in the crisp air and heading out for a hunt were moments he cherished. He was deeply proud to have built The Bear Paw, his log cabin home, a dream he brought to life in Westboro even though his heart often wandered to the mountains of Colorado. He loved sitting on the front porch with his dogs, Gus & Gabby, and enjoying the peace of the outdoors.

Jon had a deep appreciation for the natural beauty and history of America. He and Sonia loved traveling together, whether it was their honeymoon to Niagara Falls (and returning years later to see the fall leaves in Maine), hiking to the bottom of the Grand Canyon and staying at Phantom Ranch, exploring historic Washington, D.C., or taking scenic drives through autumn colors with family. He especially loved his time in the mountains, four-wheeling through Saguache Park, hunting, and being surrounded by nature’s quiet strength. He also loved being a Papa to his grandkids. He enjoyed teaching them how to drive 4-wheelers, eating donut holes with them, attending their sporting events and painting their toenails.

Jon passed away Thursday, October 16, 2025, at Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha, Nebraska, at the age of 67.

He was preceded in death by his father, Dwayne Willers, and his father- and mother-in-law, Herb and Joye Carnes. Left to honor his memory are his wife, Sonia Willers of Westboro; his children, Jordan (Jon) Hoefing of O’Fallon, Illinois; Taylor (Gabe) Stevenson of Shenandoah, Iowa; Cord (Kellie) Willers of Harrisburg, South Dakota; and Madison (Jarek) Charvat of Bennington, Nebraska; his grandchildren, Brody and Conway Hoefing, Kroix, Everlee (“Bear”), and Klay Stevenson, Odin and Brett Willers, and Herman and Leoti Charvat; his mother, Norma (Pat) Willers of Genoa, Nebraska; siblings Jeff (Joanne) Willers of Maben, Mississippi; Jennifer (Don) Porter of Columbus, Nebraska; and Joel (Nancy) Willers of McCook, Nebraska; as well as many nieces, nephews, and dear friends.

Everyone is welcome to the Celebration of Life for Jon Willers: 11:30 A.M., Saturday, October 25, 2025, at The Bear Paw, 12605 R Avenue, Westboro, MO 64498. Food will follow immediately after the service.

If you’re unable to attend the celebration, please join us between 1:00–3:00 P.M., to share memories, enjoy food, and see the home that meant so much to him, “the house that Jon built.”

Private family inurnment will be held at a later date, Walden Grove Cemetery, Westboro.

Memorials: Jon Willers Memorial Fund.

Arrangements: Davis Funeral Home, Tarkio, Missouri.

www.minterfuneralchapels.com