Jonathan Junior Laidig

Jonathan Junior Laidig died peacefully on Marco Island, FL on January 28, 2015 of 87. Jon was born and raised on a livestock and peppermint farm in Mishawaka, IN, the oldest of five children born to John and Audrey (Berkey) Laidig. He attended Madison School, graduating in 1945, and then went on to earn a BA in Agricultural Economics at Purdue University, graduating in 1954. He was attending graduate school at Purdue, scheduled for a six month study program in India, when his education was sidetracked upon sight of a beautiful young woman from Zurich, Switzerland visiting the Purdue campus. This woman, Sonja (Moser) Laidig, soon became and remained the love of his life. They were married on April 2, 1954, and enjoyed over 60 years of married life together.

Jon is survived by his loving wife, Sonja of Marco Island, FL, their two sons Wyn (and Carol) Laidig of Mishawaka and Kim (and Roberta) Laidig of Haddonfield, NJ and their two daughters, Lyn (and Howard) Rich of Hamburg, NY, and Joan (and Jim Guy) Laidig of Pasadena, CA. Jon and Sonja were also blessed with a daughter, Debbie, who passed away as an infant in 1957.

Jon is also survived by his grandchildren, Carrie (and Scott) Kokoska, Jeanna (and Joel) Worley, Daniel (and Allison) Laidig, Kelly (and Ryan) Kamp, Kimberly Rich, Elise Rich, Nicole Rich, Kyle Laidig, Quinn Laidig, Joshua Laidig, Lisa (and Heather) Taylor, Julie Guy, Jonathan Guy, and William Guy, and his great-grandchildren Ethan Kokoska, Katriana Kokoska, Annika Kokoska, Caleb Kokoska, Joshua Kokoska, Sophia Worley, Benjamin Worley, Avi Worley, Jonathan Worley, Gabriel Laidig, Christopher Sailes-Laidig, Emma Laidig, and Levi Laidig.

In addition, Jon leaves behind his siblings Phyllis Billman of Wakarusa, sister-in-law Jo Laidig of Mishawaka, and Dwight (and Sandy) Laidig of Plymouth. His brother and sister-in-law, Stanley and Myrtle Laidig, brother Duane Laidig, and brother-in-law Richard Billman preceded him in death, as well as his parents John and Audrey Laidig.

Among his family and colleagues, Jon will always be remembered by his mantra, "We'll make it work!" Jon was a pioneering entrepreneur who in 1961 designed and built a silo unloader for use on the family farm. In spite of seemingly insurmountable difficulties, long hours, and hard work, Jon's persistence, commitment, and sheer determination eventually paid off, resulting in an innovative unloading system that would provide design concepts for years to come. He eventually started a company, Laidig Bottom Silo Unloaders, Inc., first as a part of Starline, Inc., and then later as a part of Chromalloy American Corporation, and mentored a small team of people in the development and manufacturing of his new silo unloading system. That company, now known as Laidig Systems, Inc., has grown to become the world leader in silo reclaim technology, custom-designing silo unloading systems for industrial applications worldwide.

Jon was a philanthropist at heart, one who quietly provided strong support for community programs that would enhance the lives of others and especially of those in need. His desire was always to make his part of the world a better place for others. He lived by his oft-quoted charge, "Every place you go, you want to leave it better than when you came." Jon initiated generous retirement programs for his company employees, and developed significant college scholarship programs available to his employees' children. He was an avid supporter of and contributor to numerous Michiana community organizations and programs such as the Salvation Army Kroc Center, Hope Ministries, Center for the Homeless, Montessori School, Give Local St. Joseph County, Early Childhood Development programs and Community Service College Scholarship programs. In Florida Jon became involved in the building of the Marco Island Historical Museum and the establishment of the Historical Museum Endowment Fund. Jon always preferred to remain in the background of these endeavors, caring only that he was making a difference in the lives of others.

Those that know Jon best will remember him most for the loving, kind, and generous man that he was. Nothing was more important to him than his family and friends. In the words of his wife, Sonja, "Jon was the most generous, most fair-minded, and most kind-hearted person I ever knew. He was a wonderful father to our children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, and always a loving husband to me. All of us will miss him."

The family expresses their gratitude for the loving care provided by Always There Home Health Care of Marco Island, FL, for the exceptional hospice care provided by the staff of Avow, Naples, FL, and to countless friends and neighbors who stood by our side with an abundance of love, support and encouragement.

Funeral arrangements are being coordinated by Mishler Funeral Home, Bremen. Friends may call from 1:00 to 6:00 PM on February 13 at Epic Church, 3524 Harrison Rd, Mishawaka. The funeral service will be at 10:00 AM on February 14 at Epic Church, followed by burial at the Bremen Cemetery. A memorial service on Marco Island, FL will be planned at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Marco Island Historical Museum, 180 S. Heathwood Dr., Marco Island, FL 34145.