Jay Bruce VanNortwick, 71, of Havensville, KS passed away Sunday, April 21, 2024, at The Pines of Holton with his loving family by his side. He was born February 25, 1953 in Lawrence, KS, the son of Cecil Lee and Alice Marie (Funk) VanNortwick.

Jay attended Holton High School. He served in the Kansas Army National Guard for 6 years. He was an avid sports fan who enjoyed playing golf and bowling. He enjoyed watching just about any sport there was on television, he especially loved the K.U. Jayhawks and K.C. Chiefs.

He started his career working for Missouri Pacific in 1972 which later merged with Union Pacific. Jay always considered himself a MoPac man. He retired in 2013 as Track Foreman after over 41 years of service.

He married Melody Pinick on August 9, 1975 in Holton, KS. They celebrated over 48 years of marriage.

Survivors include his wife, Melody of the home; a daughter, Minta Ohlsen (Heath) of Netawaka, KS; a son, Marshall VanNortwick (Susannah) of Topeka, KS; a sister, Kay Lyn VanNortwick, of Eugene, OR; a brother, Larry VanNortwick (Kay) of Junction City, OR; his mother-in-law, Merrie Pinick of Havensville, KS; a brother-in-law, Mike Pinick (Stacy) of Havensville, KS; 4 grandchildren, Macey, Eli, Fenix, and Luke, along with many nieces and nephews.

Jay is preceded in death by his parents, Cecil and Alice; brother, Gary Lee VanNortwick; his father-in-law, Jerry Pinick, and sister-in-law, Darlyne VanNortwick.

A visitation will be 5:00 - 7:00 p.m. Friday, April 26, 2024 at the Mercer Funeral Home in Holton. Memorials may be given to Holton Community Hospital Hospice or The Pines c/o Mercer Funeral Home P.O. Box 270, Holton, KS, 66436. To leave a special message for the family, please visit www.mercerfuneralhomes.com