Jon Breilein died July 5, 2007 at St. Joseph Hospital in Bellingham after an extended illness. He was born April 13, 1937 in Albert Lea, Minn., to Walter A. and Borghild C. Breilein.

Jon graduated from high school in Covina, Calif., and went to work for General Telephone, which was what brought him to Whidbey Island in 1975.

Jon met the love of his life, Dee, and they were married at Lake Tahoe in June of 1969 and began raising their combined family. He retired from GTE in 1985 and decided to go into business for himself as the Oak Harbor “Culligan Man,” a business that now employs both of his sons.

Jon had many loves. His family was high on that list, but fishing, especially with his friends, had to come in a close second. Jon looked forward to trips to the Kenai in Alaska, Costa Rica for tarpon, Bahamas for bone fish, inland lakes of Canada for trout, and Cuba for bass and cigars. In addition Jon’s hobbies extended to working on his and his friends’ hot rods.

Jon is survived by his wife Dee, along with son Jon Breilein and his wife Carrie, son Jeff Breilein and his wife Kimberly, both of Oak Harbor, his daughter Chris Johnson with her husband Kevin of Oak Harbor and daughter Kathy Hopkins and her husband Harold of Glendora, Calif. He also leaves seven grandchildren: Casey, Michael, Cody, Alicia, Colby, Dallas and Gregory, and a brother, James Breilein, of Covina, Calif.

Jon was preceded in death by his son Greg Breilein.

A gathering of family and friends and a celebration of Jon’s life will be held at Burley Funeral Chapel on Wednesday, July 11, at 2 p.m. The family suggests that, in lieu of flowers, friends might contribute to The American Cancer Society in Jon’s name.