Jon D McKesson

Jon D McKesson, 88, died peacefully at home on Wednesday, August 27, 2025, after a brief illness.

Born March 18, 1937, to Dale E. McKesson and Rosella L. Baseler McKesson, Jon grew up in Plymouth, but chose an adventurous route in life before eventually returning to his hometown and joining the family land title business.

Jon spent three years and 152 days in the Army Special Forces before heading to IU Bloomington for college. He then went on to become a highly respected journalist, working for several newspapers and television stations. He had his own highly entertaining column in the Indianapolis Star while also working the police beat and writing for various other midwestern papers before deciding to return to IU for his Masters in Fine Arts. Jon was a brilliant oil painter, mastering abstract arts and creating many paintings that are cherished by both his family and friends and inspiring many artists in Indiana. He and several other Bloomington artists opened and ran an artist-owned gallery, and he managed to make a living selling his work! He met Lynn Erickson at that gallery, and they became inseparable. While they were on a six-month cross-country trip together, Jon’s parents asked him to return to Plymouth to help with McKesson Title, and shortly after Jon asked Lynn to marry him. She said no, but later she asked him and he thought that would be swell. They got married; he called her Lefty and he called himself Lucky (he was). While learning the title business they had three children. Jon loved being a title man, a husband, a father, and a rascal. His other true loves were golfing, good scotch, cigars, talking with his buddies and comrades at the American Legion, and making people uncomfortable with his crude jokes and witty sense of humor.

Jon is survived by his wife, Lynn Erickson, and their three children: Constance McKesson, Amanda McKesson, and Erick McKesson, as well as his son Joseph McKesson from his prior marriage. In addition, there are the five much-loved grandchildren: Dylan Panzica, Kess Edwards, Ian Golba, Emma Golba, and Alex Frid. Being an only child, Jon became especially close to Lynn’s family, including his brothers-in-law, Mark Erickson and Phillip Erickson, and his many nieces and nephews.

Life will never be as great without him and he’ll be missed by everyone who had the honor to meet him, but as he would say “Stay Loose.”

“How lucky can one man get.” – John Prine

Forever, Lucky and Lefty.

A graveside service will take place on Saturday, August 30, 2025, in the New Oak Hill Cemetery, Plymouth, at 11:00 am with Life Celebrant James Smart officiating. The U.S. Army Honor Guard and the Plymouth Am. Legion Post 27 Honor Guard will render military honors.