Here is the obituary we posted in the Defiance Crescent-News Sunday November 22, 2015.

Jon P. Castanien, 50, of Defiance passed away Thursday. November 19, 2015. He was born July 9, 1965 to William J Castanien and Marjorie (Slawson) Castanien In Mansfield, OH. He  moved to Defiance in the fourth grade. Jon spent most of his working career at Silgan and Campbells.

Jon enjoyed helping his friends with roofing, drywalling and plumbing with the idea he would build his own home. Carpentry runs in his dad’s side of the family. He had a love of nature and especially enjoyed hiking at Hocking Hills, camping, canoeing, fishing with friends at Independence Dam, shooting pool, bowling, playing with his dog, Bo. Jon taught himself to play the guitar and loved sing-a-longs. 

Always a Harley fan he finally bought one and spent many hours enjoying the freedom of the road. Unfortunately he spun out on a stony curve in October 2008 and cracked or crushed many vertebrae including the C6 which left him a partial quadriplegic. He spent 14 months in various nursing facilities in the Columbus area before being well enough to return to the Defiance-Waterville area in 2010.

Never having married and had a family of his own Jon enjoyed watching his niece, Angelique (Jeff) Bailey, and nephews, Joe (Jenny) Bohn, and Josh Bohn grow and start families of their own; Liam, Aria and Rayla Bohn and Kendall Bailey.

He will be sadly missed by his parents and siblings; Carol Castanien-Bohn (David Peebles), Napoleon; Barbara Castanien, Gahanna; Greg Castanien (Doris Newman) Defiance; and brother-in law, Marty Bohn, Defiance. He was loved by numerous aunts, uncles and cousins. He especially got a kick out of the family get togethers on both sides of the family.

Jon was preceded in death by his grandparents, Paul and Ruth Castanien of Marion, OH and Sam and Kathleen Slawson of St. Clair Shores, MI; and his sister, Jo Marie Castanien.

Even a wheelchair could not keep Jon from reaching out to fellow patients and others. In line with the Slawson grandparents’ tradition we would ask that you “pay forward” a good deed in his memory in lieu of flowers or cards. If you’d like to share your experience the family would love to hear of them.

Following in the footprints of those same grandparents, Jon donated his body to the University of Toledo medical studies. It is hoped the students will learn much about how the body copes with injuries such as he sustained. 

Plans for a memorial service have not been finalized. Please check Jon’s blog for final details: http://jonpc.blogspot.com. Condolences and favorite memories can be left there also.

Here are 10 super easy acts of kindness you can do to continue to spread the love and make the world a kinder place:

1. Thank someone who's supported you in the past, like a teacher, friend, or mentor, by giving them a hand-written letter.

2.  Spend a couple hours volunteering at a local nonprofit organization.

3. Donate goods to a local shelter.

4. Buy lemonade at a child's lemonade stand.

5. Call a friend and tell them how much they mean to you.

6. Send kind words to someone getting a lot of hate on social media.

7. Send groceries to a friend who is busy and/or going through a difficult time.

8. Put a quarter in an expired parking meter to help a stranger avoid getting a ticket.

9. Send flowers anonymously to a receptionist or security guard. 

10. Leave an encouraging note somewhere on a store shelf or in a popular library book.

We are adding a few other ideas we found on other sites: 

When going through the take out line pay for the person’s order behind you.

Give a smile to someone who seems on the “grumpy” side.

Write a letter to a child who could use some extra attention.

Offer to pick up groceries for an elderly neighbor, especially in extreme weather.

Each time you get a new item of clothing donate something old.

Out of the blue, send flowers to a friend.