Jon Michael Sebaly

Jon Michael Sebaly, age 89 and Oakwood resident, passed away on Tuesday, November 18th, 2025. He was born in Kalamazoo, MI and graduated from State High School in 1958. In his senior year, Jon played in the State of Michigan tennis finals. During his collegiate years at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, Jon earned a BA in Political Science, MA in Economics and finished with a Law Degree in 1964. Jon was also a member of Delta Tau Delta fraternity. Go Blue.

Jon moved to Dayton to begin his legal career. He was a distinguished member of the Ohio Bar Association and served as a mentor to numerous young lawyers and aspiring entrepreneurs. He helped launch many businesses, but he was especially proud of his collaboration with Beverly Shillito and Jim Dyer. Together in 1986, they established the law firm of Sebaly, Shillito, and Dyer which is still going strong today.

Jon was known for his good looks and for living life with directness, dedication, and determination always with a good sense of humor. He had strong Democratic convictions and unabashedly shared his views, particularly through his Christmas annual report (aka Christmas letter). Jon sponsored many national and local democratic candidates with mentoring and financial support. Jon was a member of St Paul’s Episcopal Church where he provided legal expertise pro bono.

An avid athlete, he enjoyed a variety of sports including running, squash, sailing, cycling, cross country skiing and golf. He enjoyed traveling with his family especially to Hilton Head, SC, Scottsdale, AZ and Leland, MI where he bought a vacation home in 1989. Jon and Diana split their time between Dayton and Leland, sharing interests in reading, travel, opera, and spending time with loved ones. The family continues to create memories at the Leland property. Jon appreciated Diana’s work stewarding and managing Leelanau Books where he was habitually their top customer.

Jon was preceded in death by his wife of 53 years, Diana Prugh Sebaly; his parents, Avis & Beth and stepmother Marcia Vincent. He is survived by his brother Kim (Fay Ann) Sebaly of Kent, OH and nieces Amy Rumrill (Phil) of Munroe Falls, OH; Annandee Sebaly of Kennesaw, GA; Abi Sebaly of Vancouver, BC; daughter Tami (Don) Sebaly-Brack of Clarksville, TN; son Michael (Josefina) Sebaly of Midland, MI, and grandchildren Anna Sebaly of Dayton, Michael Jon Sebaly of Jackson, MI and Matthew Sebaly of St Louis, MO; son Rick (Brandi) Sebaly of Fort Lauderdale, FL, and grandchildren Will and Cate; son Mike (Linda) Miller of Oakwood and grandsons Sam (Sara) Miller of Grand Rapids, MI and Ben Miller Seattle, WA; daughter Cathy Shill of Jackson Hole, WY.

A funeral for both Jon and Diana, who died just days apart, will be held at Saint Paul’s Episcopal Church in Oakwood on Friday, November 28th at noon. A committal at Calvary Cemetery will follow. Their lives will also be celebrated on their wedding anniversary, July 7th, 2026, in Dayton, OH, with further details to come.

The family would like to thank Dr. Barry Taylor for being Jon and Diana’s personal physician for over 40 years. They would also like to extend heartfelt gratitude to the remarkable care provided by Bonnie Wooten, owner of Loving Senior Home Care, and her team. Their commitment and devotion allowed Diana and Jon to stay in their beloved home. The family would also like to recognize Hospice of Dayton for all their support. If so moved, friends may make memorial donations to Wags Inn of Dayton (www.wagsinn.com) or St. Paul’s Episcopal Church- Oakwood (www.stpauls-dayton.org). Condolences may be sent to the family at www.routsong.com.