Jonathan Couch

Sugar Grove, IL - Jonathan Paul Couch age 54 of Sugar Grove, IL was unexpectedly taken from this life on July 22, 2023, in a vehicle crash caused by a drunk driver. Jon was born in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan on August 13, 1968, to Thomas and Ruth Ann Couch, where his father was assigned to the Flight Service Station with the Federal Aviation Administration. When Jon was just over a year old, his family relocated to Des Plaines, IL as his father continued his FAA career at O’Hare. Jon completed his education through the Des Plaines School District, graduating from Main West High School. As a child, Jon was fiercely independent and much his “own man”. This trait led him to develop a strong work ethic, which enabled him to earn the means to have his first car and truck at a young age. As a young man, Jon was never without a job, from stocking shelves to making pizzas. Because Jon was so eager to earn his own way, nearing graduation, he began washing trucks at the Northbrook UPS facility. While this was merely a holiday job for many highschoolers, Jon continued his career with UPS, later becoming a driver for the company. His love of large trucks and driving explain why he always insisted on backing into parking spaces. Jon dedicated 36 years of his life to UPS. Through his adolescence, Jon was a part of weekly family sailing adventures on Lake Michigan and became the crew member trusted to secure the family sailboat, Habitat, to its moorings. Coming from a family with ties to aviation, his parents encouraged Jon to attend ground school to obtain his pilot’s license. This goal was finally achieved in adulthood. As Jon made his way through life, he began to enjoy hobbies including model railroading which led to a widening of friendships. Aviation once again became an interest as Jon developed relationships with pilots who inspired his love of flight. This culminated in his licensure through SimplyFLY and ownership of his beloved Cessna 150, “Pokey”. Although his family and friends know Jon as very private about his everyday life, he never failed to share his love of flying by sending pictures of his perspectives from the clouds. He was always known to express gratitude to those who enriched his life through his many passions. Jon is survived by his mother Ruth Ann Couch, brother Christopher and his wife Sandra, and their sons Henry and Jesse, his sister Lindsay and her husband Peter, and their children Lillian and Kai; aunt Suzanne (Tom) Pollard and cousins Matt, Amy and Tim. Jon is preceded in death by his father Thomas Couch, his maternal and paternal grandparents and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins. While losing Jon is terribly hard, the circumstances of his passing make it more tragic. Jon’s family is overwhelmed by the outpouring of love and support from all of those who have been blessed to be a part of his life, his family, his best school buddies, his closest companions, the wonderful friends and mentors in his community and his co-workers. Sincerest gratitude to all. Jon will be laid to rest next to his father in the Norway Township Cemetery in Norway, Michigan on Wednesday, July 24 at 11 a.m.

Jonathan Couch

August 13, 1968 - July 22, 2023