Jonathan Mark Hamblin

Jonathan Mark Hamblin (Johnny) was born on August 26, 1973 in Berrien Center Michigan, to Ken and Dianne Hamblin (now Barnum). Johnny was the baby of the family, joining sister Lisa and brother Kenny. 

As a young child, the family moved from Berrien Springs to Tecumseh, MI, where Johnny grew up enjoying lots of time spent with cousins and friends. He was known for his keen interest in taking things apart to figure out how things worked. He took apart clocks, motorcycles, engines – really anything that could be disassembled. He usually could get things back together in good order with only a few extra pieces left over. 

Johnny also loved riding motorcycles. He and brother-in-law, Dave, spent a lot of time riding the hills and valleys in Calhoun, Georgia while Johnny lived with Dave and Lisa during his 8th grade year. They also enjoyed working on remote control airplanes that they built together. 

As a young adult, Johnny took the opportunity to learn the plumbing trade and this provided him with work that he enjoyed very much and was a great fit for his natural aptitude. He became a Master Plumber and made this trade his life long career. He was always willing to help friends and family with plumbing repairs, water heater installs, and anything else that he could do to help. 

As an adult, Johnny’s hobbies included motorcycles, NASCAR and FI racing, cooking, gardening, blue grass festivals, snow skiing, glass blowing and eating BLT’s. He had an affinity for good food and enjoyed growing vegetables and making sure the lawn was perfect. He was always interested in his friend’s organic farm businesses and enjoyed farmer’s markets. He deeply valued his friendships with Zach Dedic, Clarence Sormin, Herbie Escamilla, Chris DiCicco, Bobbie Burton, Jessica Machay, Jeremy Merling and others. 

Johnny met a special companion, Chantell Watenpaugh, in 2020, and made the decision to move to Pontiac, Illinois to be near her. Together, they enjoyed exploring parks, gardening, trips back to Michigan, vacations with Zach and family in Alabama and simply enjoying life. 

In August of 2022, Johnny was diagnosed with Glioblastoma Multiforme, an aggressive brain cancer. Following surgery two days later, he fought with bravery and took part in radiation and chemotherapy. He never complained and would comment on how thankful he was to have such a good life. When it became apparent that treatment was no longer providing relief, he entered hospice care in January of 2024. He moved to Michigan in April to be near family who could be a part of his growing care needs. After only 2 weeks at Dave and Lisa’s home, he was briefly hospitalized and then moved to the Hanson Hospice Center in Stevensville, Michigan. For four months he was cared for by compassionate healthcare workers who became friends. Case Manager - Allison, Social Worker - Rachel, Nurses -Diana, Derrick, Jan, Shelley and Taya and Nurse Aides - Maribelle, Justice and Deanna, as well as many others, all did so much to make his end of life journey comfortable and peaceful. 

On August 22, 2024, just four days before his 51st birthday, Johnny passed away peacefully and now sleeps, awaiting the reunion that we all long for. 

Johnny was preceded in death by his father, Kenneth Gerald Hamblin in 1987, his brother, Kenneth Gerald Hamblin II (Kenny) in 2000, and his grandparents. He is survived by his companion and loving partner, Chantell Watenpaugh, his mother, Dianne Barnum and step-father, Ken Barnum, sister and brother-in-law, Lisa and David Jardine, nieces, Ashleigh (Tracy) and Kali, Aunt Madlyn and Uncle Joe (Ray) Hamblin, Uncle Ted (Sharon) Lewis, cousins, Kristy, Michael and Nathan, as well as other extended family members and friends that meant a great deal to him. 

A memorial service will take place on Saturday, September 7, 2024 at the Pioneer Memorial Church Youth Chapel on the campus of Andrews University in Berrien Springs at 4:00 PM. Friends and family are invited to gather ahead of the service between 3:00-4:00 PM at the same location to visit and comfort each other. For those unable to attend, live-streaming will be available at the following link:

https://pmchurch.org/media/specialevents 

Memorial contributions may be made in Johnny’s memory to the Hanson Hospice Center in Stevensville, Michigan, or to Camp AuSable in Grayling, Michigan. 

Condolences and memories may be left for his family at www.AllredFuneralHome.com.

Arrangements have been cared for by Allred Funeral Home, Berrien Springs, Michigan.