With profound sadness, we announce the passing of Dr. Eef Ji Fontanez, age 55, of Berea, KY, who passed away on November 8, 2025Eef was born on June 4, 1970, in Richmond VA to Israel James and Mary Levina Fontanez. He spent his formative years in Wilsonburg, WV. After high school Eef attended and graduated with his bachelor's degree in education from Berea College. He later attained his master's degree in education and went on to achieve Doctorate level at Eastern Kentucky University. Eef has been a driving force in the Berea community since 1988. With the creation of one of the region's first "gay-straight alliance" clubs to break down discrimination. At first Eef educated students as a classroom teacher until he became the school counselor of Berea Independent school. As a counselor at the school, Eef shaped many young lives. He was always there to guide and support all the students with love and compassion. It comes with no surprise that after 30 years of service to the community as Eef took retirement and was honored with the Berea Human Rights Commission "John G. Fee" Award for his unwavering work.
Eef will be remembered for his kindness and generosity. He sought to assist with family and community needs. He delivered food to families during COVID. He organized and assisted with the care of his aging mother. He enjoyed planning and serving in various roles for the school such as commentator of basketball games, a coordinator for homecoming and graduation. His love for animals created a revolving door of fury children that needed a home and love. Eef enjoyed reading, learning and traveling as evidence by his part in school trips.
Family was a big part of who Eef was. He is survived by his mother Mary Luzader, his siblings James Fontanez, Patricia Jones, Stella Luzader and Bobby Luzader, his nieces and nephews Alexis, Nolan, Ethan, Joellen, Jillian, Sophia, Colton, Mason and Carter, In-laws Lori, Brian, Kristen, and his fur babies Sherlock and Roxy. He is preceded in death by His father Israel Fontanez and our beloved Mary Ellen McNew.
A Celebration of Life honoring Eef will take place on Friday, November 14 at 1:00 p.m. at Union Church. While the family holds a private burial at Berea Cemetery, friends and loved ones are invited to remain at the church for a repass. The family will return to Union Church following interment to join in fellowship and remembrance.
The family wishes to thank Mary Kay Gilbertson, Angela Anderson, Lori Zastrow, Kent Gilbert, and Greg Lakes for their unwavering support, love and compassion.
Forever in our hearts, Eef will be missed by all who knew him. Rest in peace our dear son, brother, uncle, colleague, teacher, counselor and friend.
The service will be livestreamed on FaceBook, YouTube, and the Union Church web page, and will be recorded for later viewing for those not able to attend in person. (Facebook.com\UnionChurchBerea; YouTube.com\UnionChurchBerea; Union-Church.org/live-broadcast).
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