Jay Donavan Lohner

After a courageous battle with brain cancer, Jay Donavan Lohner, age 64, passed away at Edencrest at Timberline, Urbandale, Iowa on Sunday, February 1, 2026. Jay was born February 19th, 1961, in Des Moines Iowa, the son of Jerry and Leona Lohner. He graduated from Hoover High School and attended Northeast Community College, and University of Northern Iowa. From May 2003 to January 2006 Jay served in the U.S. Naval Reserve with some time spent in Japan.

Jay was blessed with amazing artistic talent. In his youth, he rode his bike to Beaverdale Hobby for paint supplies to make his WWII model airplanes look incredibly realistic. He filled notebook paper with sketches of people and things in action and covered the family hallways with paintings and artwork from High School. Later in life Jay became an avid photographer, starting his own business, Jay D. Lohner Photography. Jay enjoyed entering competitions with his peers, vying with some amazing visual arts. He accepted his talents with humility and grace, always of the opinion he could do better, experiment more.

Jay is survived by his mother, Leona Lohner; siblings, Jerry J.D. (Penny Meyer) Lohner, Judy Dillenburg, Derek (Shari) Lohner; one nephew, two nieces and three great nephews. He was preceded in death by his father, Jerry Lohner.

Jay's family will greet friends from 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm Friday, February 6, 2026 at Iles Jordan Creek Chapel, 7150 Ashworth Road, West Des Moines, Iowa 50266. His funeral service will begin at 1:00 pm Friday in the Iles Jordan Creek Chapel with a dessert reception to follow.

Jay will be cremated after the service with interment of his cremains at New Virginia Cemetery by the family come spring.

May Jay Lohner rest in eternal peace, free from pain, and may he be remembered for the joy of art he brought into the lives of others.

Online condolences are welcome at www.ilescares.com

Arrangements by Iles Jordan Creek Chapel.