Jonathan Jeffry "JJ" Atz

By Grace Housholder
ghousholder@kpcmedia.com
Danielle Atz knows that someday every step of the rugged journey she and her family have been traveling will make sense.
The steps of the journey even include a trip to Mexico for holistic treatment of her husband's brain cancer.
"Until then, keep trusting God," is the message that defines her life and uplifts her.
Trust in the Lord uplifted her husband of five years — Jonathan Jeffry "JJ" Atz. Formerly of Kendallville, he died at the home of his parents, Jeff and Laurie Atz, in Fort Wayne Nov. 13, following a battle with cancer.
Throughout his illness JJ Atz was surrounded by the love of family and friends.
The No. 1 thing JJ will be remembered for, said Danielle Atz, is his love for God and his faith in God. "He was always joyous, and his smile and his laugh were contagious," she said.
A cousin of JJ Atz, Krista Atz Hershey, formerly of Kendallville, recalled that he was the very first of her 15 cousins.
"I've known him my entire life," she said. "He was the one who introduced me to 'Star Wars.' And Michael Jackson. (He used to always try to teach me how to moon walk.) And how it's way cooler to say 'b-ball' instead of 'basketball.' We even got to work together at Atz's (ice cream).
"But as we grew up, he taught me what it looked like to love Jesus. Unabashedly. And goofball or not, he was always, always serious about making sure people knew they were loved.
"Nothing about this situation is fair. But, things aren't fair in life. I believe — I know — that God can work so much good into horrible situations. And that He is right there with us when we are heartbroken. God's love has been and continues to be shown through JJ's life."
On Sept. 29, 2012, in Avilla, JJ Atz married Danielle L. DeCamp and welcomed her daughter, Ava, and later adopted her. They welcomed their second daughter, Aria, in 2015.
The two met at church through mutual friends. "I was attracted to the spirit of joy and love of God that was so apparent and also the fact that he was a children's pastor and anyone who was around him for more than a few seconds could see his love for children and his childlike faith. Ava and I were going through some pretty rough times and he was a bright light in our darkness."
JJ Atz was a manager of the family business, Puritan Ice Cream Company in Kendallville, until the company was sold. For the last five years, he worked for Prairie Farms in Battle Creek, Michigan.
JJ Atz was a member of Pine Hills Kendallville Church and spent his formative years at First Assembly of God in Fort Wayne, where his love for the Lord and children's ministry were nurtured.
He was preceded in death by his paternal grandfather, Norman Atz.
During his illness, Danielle Atz accompanied her husband to Mexico for three weeks of holistic treatments that continued after they returned. Her sister, Desiree, helped with child care.
The girls were with them half of the time, and they spent quality time which included visiting the ocean, their favorite vegan restaurant and enjoying sunsets.
During their three-week family vacation they visited the Creation Museum, the Georgia Aquarium, family in Florida and took an "amazing" cruise.
"The trip was truly a gift from God," Danielle Atz said. "JJ was so at peace near the ocean. It is something the girls and I will always cherish."
Danielle Atz and the girls are living with his parents in Fort Wayne. However, they will stay close to the four-county area, especially to Noble County. In a few months, partnering with some friends, Danielle Atz will be opening a holistic health shop in Kendallville.