M. JAMES "JIM" KOON

It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Marion James “Jim” Koon, 85, of Piqua; a cherished husband, father, grandfather and friend. Jim was born on May 15, 1940, and passed away on February, 7, 2026. He is the son of Marion J. and Mary (Mellinger) Koon. Jim is survived by his beloved wife of 62 years, Ruth (Hoban) Koon.

Other survivors include three children, Jon (Sandie) Koon of Potomac Falls, Virginia, Melissa Koon of Columbus, Ohio, Susan (Steve) Chieffo of Columbus, Ohio; and six grandchildren, Alexis Koon, Connor (Alexandra) Koon, Evy Koon, Caroline Koon, Sophia Chieffo and Jimmy Chieffo.

Jim was a 1958 graduate of Piqua Catholic High School, attended Marquette University and Ohio University, where he was a member of the basketball teams of both universities. He was an exceptional athlete in basketball, football and baseball. Called a natural by his coaches and one of the best athletes in the State of Ohio, he was voted a member of the first annual Wayne Conference All Star team and won the Ohio All State’s Award in basketball. He served 3 years with the US Army Intelligence Corp as an Investigative Agent. He joined Aerovent Fan Co. Sales Department in Piqua and moved on as a Sales Rep with Aerovent Engineering in Indianapolis. He returned to Piqua in 1976 as a partner and President of M. J. Koon & Sons Insurance Agency. Jim was a devout and lifelong member of St Mary’s Catholic Church. He was active with the United Fund Board, Rotary Club and the Red Cross. He was a support member of Piqua High School’s Building Fund drive; President of the Independent Insurance Agents of Miami County; Chairman of Government Affairs with the Chamber of Commerce; Chairman of Lehman Catholic High School’s Scholarship Committee, as well as the Gigandet Scholarship fund. He was a member of St. Mary Parish’s 158th  Anniversary Committee and Vice Chairman of St. Mary Education Building Fund as well as chairman of Knights of Columbus Bluecoat Award and the Measure-up Program for the Rehabilitation Center in Piqua. He enjoyed auto races in Indianapolis; trips to the Masters in Augusta; Duke basketball; Ohio State football and attending the Memorial Golf Tournament in Muirfield with his family and friends. He especially had fond memories of the daily luncheon group at the Elks Club for many years and yearly visits to Hilton Head Island with his family. He loved a good joke, Manhattans and his 1976 TR6 Triumph.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, February 14, 2026 at St. Mary Catholic Church with Rev. Fr. Eric Bowman as Celebrant. Visitation will be held from 5:00-7:00 p.m. Friday at the Jamieson & Yannucci Funeral Home. Private burial will be held at Forest Hill Cemetery. In lieu of flowers and in keeping with Jim’s generous spirit, memorial contributions are encouraged to be made to the Piqua Catholic School Future Fund, c/o The Piqua Community Foundation, P.O. Box 226, Piqua, OH 45356. Guestbook condolences and expressions of sympathy, to be provided to the family, may be expressed through jamiesonandyannucci.com.