Suzanne "Susie" Ashman Jontz

Suzanne Ashman Jontz, known as "Susie" peacefully passed away on March 18, 2020 in Bonita Springs, Florida...one of her favorite places. In her final days, Susie was surrounded by her three children, son-in- law, two grandchildren, and numerous friends who talked with her, held her hand, and said, “Thank you and I love you” until God took her home.

Susie was born and raised in Columbus, Ohio, across from the campus of the Ohio State University. She was a lifelong fan of all things OSU, especially football and basketball. Susie spent her childhood summers in a family cottage at Topinabee, Michigan on Mullett Lake, with her dearest friend and sister, Marilyn Bower, where she enjoyed sunbathing, swimming, boating, and treks to Mackinaw Island. While there, she met her late husband, Joe, who was working as a bell hop at the Topinabee Hotel. A marriage resulted from this union in 1951 at the Topinabee Church. A honeymoon followed in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan...this was the beginning of the shared fishing recreation. Susie attended Stephens College in Columbia, Missouri, for two years, and then the Ohio State University for two years earning a degree as an Executive Secretary. She committed herself to working at the GM Stamping Plant in Indianapolis, Indiana, to help her husband as he was earning a degree from the Indiana University School of Medicine–Indianapolis.

Settling in Fort Wayne, Indiana, Susie and Joe raised four children and created a well-structured household and medical practice. Susie loved life throughout her many years, and always talked about how lucky she was. Among her many activities, she enjoyed tennis, swimming, cooking, needlepoint, charity work (especially singing), snowmobiling, cross country skiing, and entertaining her family and many dear friends. Susie also loved to fish, and often caught more perch, walleye, smallmouth bass, and even a muskie, than her husband! Never content to stay in one place for too long, Susie loved traveling the world, including visits to Africa, China, Egypt, Europe, South America and many more destinations. She was a member and past president of the Allen County Medical Auxillary, a member of Psi Iota Xi Sororiety, and PEO. Even though she was forced to slow down a bit in her last few years, Susie remained completely independent. Susie is preceded in death by her husband, Joe (2001), son, Robert (1984) and leaves behind three children, Patti Jontz Stevens (Mark Stevens), Nanci Jontz, Thomas Jontz (Jennifer Cook Jontz); ten grandchildren, twelve great grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews, who will forever miss her graceful smile, contagious laughter, genuine love, and faithful personality. Until we can all be together again, "Ta Ta for Now".

A public memorial service is being held on Saturday, July 25, 2020, at 12:30pm, with calling to begin two hours prior (at 10:30am) at D.O. McComb and Sons Pine Valley Park Funeral Home, 1320 East Dupont Road, Fort Wayne, IN.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the Topinabee Community Church. Arrangements have been entrusted to D.O. McComb and Sons Pine Valley Park Funeral Home, Fort Wayne. For online condolences, please visit www.mccombandsons.com.