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LAKE FOREST, Ill. -- Jon Michael Hermes, 55, of Lake Forest, Illinois, passed away on November 7, 2026, following a courageous battle with cancer.
Jon and his wife, Jennifer (Jenn), shared a love story that began long before their 32 years of marriage. They first met when Jon was six, and Jenn was four. Jenn's mother was Jon's Cub Scout den leader, and when meetings were held at her family's home, Jenn could not resist joining the fun. Jon liked to recall that his first impression of her was that she was a brat. Fortunately, he changed his mind. He asked her out in high school, and their relationship grew through college and the years that followed into a marriage filled with family, friendship and adventure. When asked about a memory he never wanted to lose, Jon thought of Jenn on their wedding day. "How she looked that day was just stunning," he said.
Born in Escanaba, Michigan, on June 4, 1971, Jon grew up especially close to his grandparents, Bill and Dolly, and to the family fishery in Upper Michigan. His first job came at age five, when Uncle Pete paid him to pack smoked fish. Soon he was standing on a box alongside the men at the fish shed, scaling fish, and by seven or eight he was trusted to cut off fish heads without wasting valuable meat. Jon loved the work, but he loved the people and stories that filled the shed even more. He spent hours listening to his grandfather negotiate with fish buyers from New York, Chicago and Detroit and build relationships with the fishermen who supplied the business.
Jon credited his father, grandfather and uncles with shaping his approach to life. "I just emulated the actions of my … father and my grandfather and my uncles," he recalled. Their example taught him to work hard, treat people well, and follow through. After graduating from Big Bay de Noc School, Jon earned a bachelor's degree in Packaging Engineering from Michigan State University and later an MBA in Marketing from DePaul University.
As founder and CEO of TDI Packsys, Jon turned his curiosity, drive, and entrepreneurial vision into a successful international business. He always sought better ways to solve problems, and one question always guided his work: "How do we win?" Along the way, he formed lasting friendships with colleagues, customers and business partners around the world. He took particular pride in preparing the company to continue as a family business for the next generation.
Jon had a lifelong love of the outdoors and enjoyed hiking, backpacking, camping, fishing, hunting, and golf. Scouting remained important to him, and he shared many family adventures in national parks and the outdoors through Venture Crew or with close friends he made through Scouting. He especially treasured time at the family lake house in Wisconsin. Travel also brought his family together, including a recent meaningful trip to Aruba and Curacao with Jenn, their sons, and their partners. Jon was a devoted Chicago White Sox and Green Bay Packers fan, proudly supporting his teams through good seasons and bad.
Above all, Jon was a devoted and proud father to Kyle, Ethan and Riley. He admired Kyle's remarkable curiosity, determination, and loyalty to family; Ethan's empathy and instinctive understanding of others; and Riley's discipline, focus, and compassion. He was proud of Kyle's leadership as President of TDI, Ethan's decision to join
the family business, and Riley's pursuit of medicine. Jon delighted in the energy of having everyone together. He described their home as full of conversation, laughter, and "a lot of just great energy."
As Jon reflected on his legacy, he spoke less about professional success than about the people he loved. He worked to ensure that his family and the business they had built would continue to thrive. "I've always tried to put other people ahead of me, especially my family," he said. Those who knew him will remember his determination, loyalty, humor, adventurous spirit, and steadfast devotion to family and friends.
Jon is survived by his loving wife of 32 years, Jennifer; their three sons, Kyle, Ethan (Annika), and Riley; his father, Mike (Jeanette); his mother, Jean (Dean); his sisters, Shannon (George) and Jennifer (Rob); his brothers, Joshua (Tasha) and Jacob; mother and father in law, John and Linda Thill and numerous nieces and nephews.
A graveside service for Jon will be held on Friday, November 13, 2026, at 3:00 p.m. at the New Garden Cemetery, located on County Road 483 in Garden, Michigan with Father Timothy Hruska officiating. Fellowship and a meal will follow at St. John's Church Hall in Garden. A celebration of Jon's life will be held on Saturday, November 21, 2026, from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. in Burnstein Hall at the Chicago Botanic Garden in Glencoe, Illinois. A short memorial service will begin at noon, followed by an opportunity for family and friends to gather, share memories, and celebrate Jon's life.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Big Bay de Noc School Scholarship Fund in memory of Jon Hermes. Established in his honor, the scholarship will support students pursuing careers in engineering, mechatronics, automation, and related technical or skilled trades, whether through college, vocational training, apprenticeships, or other career pathways. The Anderson Funeral Home of Escanaba and Gladstone are assisting the Hermes family. Online condolences may be shared with the family at www.andersonfuneralhomes.net.
