January 2, 1943-August 25th, 2024.
Born in the heart of winter of 1943, in the middle of World War II, to Margaret and Gus Ilch in Eastern Oregon. Jay was a sickly child with asthma and eczema. Throughout his childhood, Jay was influenced by the Franciscan brothers who follow the way of Saint Francis. At the age of twenty-six, Jay was ordained a Catholic priest. For fifteen years Jay provided unconventional parish ministry on the west coast.
On August 28th, 1976, Jay met his match, in a hot-shot transfer from the south side of Chicago, who was working at Sacred Heart Hospital. Ten years letter they were married with her four children in attendance. Jay was the great love of Marie's life.
Jay worked in geriatrics professionally and retired doing volunteer work until the end of his life. He leaves behind his sister, Dee Campbell, of Meridian, Idaho, his wife, Marie, four stepchildren and spouses and numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Jay feels much appreciation for Marie, who loved him into life; Dale Poage, who was the brother he never had; Dr. Steven Dixon MD, who returned him to life; Dr. Dale Robak, Ph D, who kept the pieces together; Cancer Care Northwest, who treated Jay with hope in the face of death; End of Life Washington for making the exit possible…and “all those who ministered more to me, than I to them.”
Per Jay’s request, there will be no service. He will be laid to rest at Fairmount Cemetery at a later date.
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