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Marquette High School South Technical High School

Jonathan Hammerlund Obituary

Hammerlund, Jonathan 22, formerly of Chesterfield, MO, died in an automobile accident in Miami, FL on April 10, 2007. Jonathan had moved to Coral Springs, FL with his family after graduation from South Technical High School in 2004. Jonathan also attended Marquette High School, Brentwood Middle School and St. Joseph Institute for the Deaf. He is survived by his Mother, Evelyn (Dair) Hammerlund, his twin brother Blake Hammerlund and many Aunts, Uncles, and Cousins that will miss him dearly.

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Published by St. Louis Post-Dispatch from May 5 to May 11, 2007.

Memories and Condolences
for Jonathan Hammerlund

42 Entries

Mom

April 29, 2024

17 years since you left us. I´m sitting here reading all of the wonderful remembrances of how you affected people´s lives. Your smile is what is stuck in my head...every day.

Tami Rickhoff

October 19, 2023

We still miss you Jonathan....ANNIE is MARRIED to a great man who treats her like a Queen. You"d be HAPPY for her...Your "lil" cousin Macey is ENGAGED....both AnnNichole & Philip love her fiance....YES. YOU ARE ALWAYS LOVED

Gail Culp

April 13, 2008

Our thougths and prayers are with you.

Gail Culp & Susan Oustalet

Terry Estep

April 11, 2008

Dear Dair and Blake
I am stunned that a whole year has passed since I herd the horrible news. When I remember Jon, the term never a dull moment echoes in my head. The first time I met he and Blake, Jon looked like a deer in the headlights of a car. I am still gripped by the sadness that after all the trials and tribulations of his childhood and young adult life, things seemed to really be turning around for him and then....gone.

I think of him often and it produces a smile. Not today.

I admire the courage and toughness the two of you show.

Steve Glaze (Uncle)

April 10, 2008

Dair and Blake
Both of you are always in our thoughts, more so in the last few days. While living far apart, there are good memories of the times when we were all able to get together: Jonathan and Blake sneaking into Chris’s room here in Fairfax and eating the candy off of a two year old ginger bread house (yuk); Jonathan intentionally getting drenched by a water ride at Six Flags St Louis; and the good times had by all when the clan got together in Flora (i.e. Jonathan picking on Pappy).

May the strength that you and Blake have shown during the past year continue and we create new memories.

Dair Hammerlund

April 10, 2008

I have counted the minutes, hours, days, months and now with disbelief I am counting one year since we lost our Jonathan. In one hour Jon will have been gone for a year and it seems like yesterday. I don't think my sadness will ever go away. I miss his beautiful face and spunky personality every day.
I am so touched by the friends and family that have counted those milestones with me. It is obvious by the e mails, cards, phone calls and those of you have signed his guestbook yesterday and today that Jonathan is also still very much in your hearts. He had that way about him. I can't say it any better than to quote the memory card from his funeral......... "You are not forgotten, loved one....Nor will you ever be."
Thank all of you for your continued love and support.
Love to all,
Dair

(Aunt) Kathy Rudd

April 10, 2008

April 10 is now a significant day … made significant a year ago by a tragic accident and loss of a dearly loved one. Dair told me recently Blake has a saying about “things” in life that disturb many of us (when often they shouldn’t) and that saying is “it is what it is”. At first I chuckled, but now I can not get that saying out of my mind as it offers such a good lesson about life and dealing with it.

The tragedy Dair, Blake and all of us who loved Jonathan were dealt a year ago “is what it is” and we must deal with it each in our own way. I choose to remember this significant day and Jon’s life with his bright smiles and laughter that made me laugh, his excitement for life, the fun memories of visits and vacations with the “Hammerlund Gang” and the joy the birth of twin boys brought to the Glaze and Hammerlund families a little more than 23 years ago. The memories are what they are and can not be taken away. I thank God I had Jonathan in my life for the short time I had him and pray that I will have the strength and resilience Dair, Blake and Jonathan have demonstrated in dealing with what life has dealt them through the years. May God be with Dair, Blake and us all on this continued journey of life and may we together form new memories to cherish!

Much love always!

Kristin MacKeen

April 9, 2008

I can’t believe it has already been a year. I feel like it still feels so unreal and at any moment he’s gonna come back. Reality sets in and then I realize as soon as that thought passes that it’s never going to happen. There are so many things I wish I had said to him. Things I can no longer say. I feel regret, sorrow, and a sense of peace all at the same time. Even though this is all so fresh time has made the tears less frequent, but I still miss him. I also think that birthdays and tomorrow will always be hard not only for me, but for everyone he has touched.

Every memory seems so precious. Even the ones you take for granted. Some of my favorite memories are:

The first time I saw him was freshmen orientation. I knew instantly that I wanted to meet him. Word of mouth spread (that I thought he was cute) and then he called me, but the first time he called me I had no clue what a relay service was I kept thinking it was a solicitor and kept handing the phone back to my mom, when I realized it was him I freaked out because I looked like a complete idiot. I was modified as any freshmen girl in high school would be.

Another good one is the fight we had during the entirety of the turnabout dance. I showed up to his house to pick him up and he wasn’t even dressed. He clamed he was sick, but I wasn’t buying it. I told him he could dress himself or I could help him, but either way he was going. He choose to dress himself and we went on our way to pick up the other couple. At the end of the dance we had a disagreement as to what after party we were going to. I think that was the first and only time he every made me mad. Being clever as he was while we were fighting he told me, “I’m deaf I can’t hear you.” Oh I remember being so mad after he said that. We wound up splitting up and going to two different parties. The next day he called me, I came over, he apologized, I accepted, and we moved on. For a time he was my best friend and we were inseparable. I will always remember him and always cherish the memories we had together.

Dave Rudd (Uncle)

April 8, 2008

There is a saying, “Do not resist growing old … many are denied the privilege”. Jonathan was denied that privilege. I’m deeply saddened by his loss, but in the past twelve months I’ve had time to reflect on my thoughts about a nephew whose life was short but very meaningful.

Jon was exceedingly well liked by his peers as evidenced by the number of them that attended his funeral service. He was loved deeply by friends and family. Jon had a mantra about people and his congeniality with them that he never expressed … he lived it. His philosophy about friendships seemed to be “never explain – your friends don’t need it, and your enemies will not believe explanation anyway”. He was his own man. He was not burdened by what others thought … a personality trait most adults never achieve. I admired this quality in him. He taught me what I now think is an important lesson in life. I value that. Wish I’d learned that in my twenties like Jon did.

Jon’s life was meaningful to him. Therein lays the greatest riches in one’s life. Jon, certainly, was not guilty of letting his “riches” go to waste. I think the greatest sin is letting “riches” go to waste once you know they are riches. The difficulty is that most people don’t know what riches are. Jon did. Most people define riches by what they can see because that’s what they’ve been taught to do … to look at the end of things, the destination. What they never recognize is that riches are in the process, the journey, in what one does with what one has. Jon excelled at this by the meaningfulness he put into his life. We become so sterile as adults I think we lose our meaningfulness … Jon never would. I admired that quality in him.

Jon had his own safe place … his passions – hours of playing Xbox/Playstation with Blake, going out to eat with Dair and Blake, basketball, cub scouts, Arnold Schwarzenegger, his favorite football team, fishing … to include text messaging me about the large Grouper he caught, being with Dana, getting his driver’s license and his new car. These activities are less important than the act of drawing on your own resources, your talents and your own abilities. Meager as you may think these activities are, it is in the “doing” of something meaningful to yourself that you are enriched. Jon was enriched.

The memory of a happy, carefree, engaging, much loved, and spirited young man who taught me a few important things in life will be with me eternally. It will fill the emptiness that is so much a part of loss. Jon added meaningfulness to and, enriched my life. I’m thankful for his lasting presence.

Laurie Rudd

April 8, 2008

Dair and Blake --
Our thoughts are with you at this difficult time. We met Jonathan but once at the wedding of Mark's brother, David to Kathy at the Glaze's home in MS. We remember him to be a lively little guy who was also comfortable curled up with his brother in their father's arms. Through Kathy, we have followed the boys via photos and a proud aunt's updates.
As a mom, however, I can only attempt to fatham the pain and lose you are feeling and continue to feel. Our children are, of course, the loves of our lives, but also our glimpse of the future and a part of our hope and excitement for all that holds. A part of your view was cut short and for that many grieve. Know that others, from afar, hold you and yours in their thoughts and prayers. Laurie, Mark, Allie and Tyler Rudd

Penny & Bill Rickhoff

November 20, 2007

Dear Dair and Blake:
Just want you to know that you two are in our thoughts and prayers.

We are so thankful this Thanksgiving for the time we did share with Jonathan...remember the Santa Bears?!

Take care we love you both!

Dair Hammerlund

October 12, 2007

Well today would have been Jonathan's 23rd birthday and I just felt a need to write how much I miss him. He has been gone 6 months now and it is still so painfull. Blake I miss him so much. We are trying to remember all the fun times we had and try to celebrate my bithday and Blake's birthday today.We will always have a little trouble putting our sorrow behind us to celebrate Blake's and my birthday because we had such a little tradition celebrating them together. Blake is such a rock and has been my great support. I encourage those of you who have a friend that has not signed this book to do so. I enjoy hearing your stories and it helps my healing process,Love to all.
Dair

Susan Rudd

September 4, 2007

Dearest Dair and Blake -
Time passes so quickly, yet it seems like only yesterday we heard the terrible news of Jonathan's death. Words escape us as we search for an appropriate way to convey our sympathy for such an enormous, enormous loss to you both. We have such wonderful memories of Eric's wedding! Jonathan has such a fun-loving spirit...he is lighting up the heavens even as I sit here and write this! God Bless both of you and hold you close until he brings your family back together again one day...
Susan and David Rudd

Jocelyn Wilkes

August 28, 2007

hello im sorry took me while to sign this guess book for jonathan i was shoch when i found out about him passing away all i could think of him and i when we went to sji togther and his wonderful smile i could never forget how playful he was. he always lift everyone spirts and theirs smiles all the time.
im sorry for your loss and jonathan will always be my prayer and he is with God's hand Iv have to faith that God is taking very good him and we all will see him soon smile
hes in my prayer and my thoughs.

Daliah Jarrar

August 4, 2007

Dear Daire and Blake,

I'm very sorry for your loss.. Jon have been a great guy when i got to know him in SJI, may God rest and bless his soul... he will be always in my prayers.

Love,
Daliah Jarrar

Bryan Leeper

July 24, 2007

Dear Dair and Blake:

I apologize it has taken me a while to sign this guest book for Jonathan. News has came to me as a shock and I can't still get over it. I remembered some of Jonathan's conversations with me vaguely - we talked about the usual boy stuff like sports. And I remember playing an outdoor activity at the old SJI location with the kids and Jonathan while he was having his cast on. He toughen it out and ran around, kicked the playground ball.

He will truly be missed. I feel blessed for having him as my best friend. He is in Jesus' hands. May him rest in peace, I'm looking forward to seeing him anytime soon.

I'm praying for you and your family.

Jamie

July 12, 2007

I am so thankful that I had the opportunity to be Jonathan's interpreter. I loved going to work because he made it so much fun! Everyday he would play jokes on me and the other students. I will never forget how many times I would interpret the instructor telling him to remove his ring and put his cell phone away before she took it away. I can still hear him say,"I know." His award winning smile always seemed to get him out of trouble. :) I have so many wonderful memories of him in the kitchen. He was so talented! He touched so many lives and didn't even know it. I really miss seeing his smiling face. Dair & Blake, I am praying for you both. May the Lord comfort you.

Jonathan

Ann Trommeter

June 23, 2007

Dear Dair and Blake,

My most vivid memories of Jonathan were 20 years ago, when you lived in Denver. I can remember his amazing smile and his active spirit! Jonathan will be remembered often and I always promise to smile when I think of him.

You are in my heart, I love you both!

Love,
Ann

Andi Martin

June 15, 2007

Blake, I know you miss Jonathan because I do too. Jonathan and I have something in common, we both like Skittles! When I look at his picture I want to cry alot because I miss him even though we didn't know each other like friends. I am Aliya and Eric's daughter, so, that makes me your step second cousin!

(Aunt) Kathy Rudd

June 11, 2007

Today marks 2 months since I received the saddest news of my life … a life I had loved for more than twenty-two years had ended. Not a day goes by that I do not often remember Jonathan’s smiling face and excitement for all he encountered in life. His challenges were greater than any I have ever faced, yet he smiled and laughed as if he had none. I cherish my memories of good times shared and feel peace knowing that he is now sharing more good times with his father and grandparents. Dair and Blake, I love you and will keep you forever in my heart and prayers.

Dawn Gettemeier

June 1, 2007

Dear Dair and Blake~

My deepest sympathies for your loss. You have and will continue to be in my prayers.

Dawn (Bremerkamp) Gettemeier

May 29, 2007

Dearest Auntie Dair&Blake: I can barely get through this because of my tears. It was so great to read the other msg's that are posted. I am so happy that he was so very loved. I will remember him always. I LOVE YOU BOTH SO MUCH> Your neice&cousin, Tami P.S. YOu boys are both so very handsome!:)

May 29, 2007

Pete Roscoe

May 26, 2007

Blake and Dair We are very sorry to hear about your loss. Our thoughts are with you.

Jean Roscoe

May 26, 2007

Evelyn,I am so sorry to hear about Jonathan.You don't know me,I am Peter Roscoe's mom.My prayers are with you and your family.Take care.
Jean Roscoe

Kristin MacKeen

May 24, 2007

Dear Dair and Blake,
I am so sorry for your loss. I myself was in disbelief when I first found out. He will be greatly missed. It seems like all the memories come back at you all at once. I remember our first date, notes passed in crowded hallways, movies watched hand in hand. He was my first boyfriend and I will always have a special place in my heart for him.
With much love,

Jan and Jerry Davis

May 23, 2007

Dair and Blake:
Thank you so much for capturing your joyous Christmas and then sharing it with us. Your family picture remains on my refrigerator to remind me that life is precious and short and should be lived to the fullest each day. While I did not get to know the boys as well as others, from the sincere words shared at Jonathan's memorial, he was truly someone who lived each day fully and squeezed every bit of happiness from every moment. May we all follow his example. Our love and continuing prayers for you both.

Debbie Young

May 23, 2007

Dear Dair and Blake,
I am deeply saddened at Jonathan being taken from us so early. Jonathan's smile could light up a room. What a blessing he was to all who knew him. I have a special picture in my mind of the joyful reunion your Mom and Dad and Glen had with Jonathan. Also Jonathan meeting Mama Strat, Pop, and Aunt Kay for the first time. What a love-filled event that must have been. I believe the heavens shine a little brighter at night with Jonathan up there.

You are in my prayers.
I will leave you with a quote from the greatest Author of all time:
"Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint."

ISAIAH 40:28-31, NIV

Let God be your strength. I love you both.

Debbie

Uncle Dick

May 22, 2007

Dear Dair and Blake,
I just got back from my trip to Orlando on business and Jonathan’s cousin Chris’s wedding in Ft. Lauderdale. As sad as we all felt about Jonathan, it was wonderful to see smiles on your faces as we celebrated Chris and Courtney’s marriage. Jon would have loved exploring the cruise ship, to the point that I have to wonder if he would have made it to the ceremony on time :), checking out everything and insisting that you guys should go too. It is clear from these messages than Jon was loved by many. But what has stayed with me the most is the very large crowd at Jon’s service and the courage and commitment his three classmates from Culinary School showed by singing at his funeral. You should be so proud that he made such good friends that a “small army” of very young adults were there to share their love for him. Our family continues to keep you in our prayers.

Shirley S. McClelland,

May 21, 2007

Dear Dair and Blake,

In reading the lovely messages in Jon's guest book, I rrealize how much my family missed the wonderful, close relationship that some families have when they live closer together. We were always so noisy the few times we saw you, Glenn and the boys and the visits were so short. My heart is breaking that I did not get the chance to know Jonathan and Blake better.

Love, Aunt Shirley

Beverly Fears

May 21, 2007

Dear Dair,

My heart was filled with sorrow at the news of Jonathan's passing. I feel blessed to have known you and your family and will continue to keep you and Blake in my prayers.

My favorite memory of Jonathan is his smile. It was a beautiful smile! Even when he was miserably suffering through a programming session, I would make it my mission to make him laugh just so I could see it. Oh, how he'd roll his eyes at this, I still have a picture from the first cochlear implant picnic on my bullentin board. There's little Jon on the front row with that look that says he rather be doing anything else besides posing for the camera.

He was a special gift and I'm glad to have shared in a few moments of his life. May God continue to give you comfort through friends and loved ones.

Jerry and Jackie Wankum

May 21, 2007

Dear Dair and Blake, I was glad to receive your email this morning. We have been thinking alot about you and how you are doing. Jerry and I have fond memories of you and your family especially during the summer months when the kids were younger. The barbeques and swim parties were always fun times for all of us. I think your boys enjoyed the water. Expecially, Jon loved to be outside and doing boy stuff...biking, swimming, playing ball...fun times and great memories...Our thoughts are with you and our prayers for you...The Wankums

Pat & Mark Faser

May 21, 2007

Dair & Blake,

We have shared so many wonderful times together. We watched Jonathan grow up along with our own children, sharing the good and hard times. We have become such good friends through our children with their very special needs. Jonathan will always be in our prayers and fond memories such as our vacations together will never be forgotten!

Connie Lemmon

May 17, 2007

Dear Dair and Blake, I just learned of Jon's passing and am so very sorry for your loss! He was quite a guy and I remember him fondly not only as one of his interpreters in school, but for those times I showed up at your doorstep to work on sign language with him, and hearing him yell, "NO! Not today!" But, then he would smile and let me come in... what a character! May your warm thoughts of him as time goes by, be of great comfort...like being able to pick roses in the cold December! God bless you; he will be missed greatly!

Christmas 2006

May 17, 2007

Jon fishing in the Keys April 4th

May 17, 2007

Blake on the left and Jonathan on the right at 22

Dair Hammerlund

May 17, 2007

I would like to share with all of you the Prayer card we had for Jon at his Memorial Service.

In Loving Memory
You are not forgotten, loved one
Nor will you ever be.
As long as life and memory last,
We will remember thee.
We miss you now,
our hearts are sore,
As time goes by
we'll miss you more.
Your loving smile,
your gentle face,
No one can fill
your vacant place.

Joyce Saffa

May 16, 2007

I was so very sorry to learn of Jonathan's death. When I first met Jonathan at Brentwood Middle School, he quickly won my heart with his sweet manner and great smile! May your memories and the prayers of all who are thinking of you, give you strength at this difficult time.

Monica Fanning

May 15, 2007

Dair and Blake,
I was so very sad to hear about Jonathan. I have very fond memories of working with him at Brentwood Middle School. I, too, have wondered what he has been doing since he graduated. Please know that you are in our prayers.

Jamie Eshbaugh

May 14, 2007

Dair and Blake,
I was shocked and saddened to hear of Jonathan's death. I have thought several times of him and your family and have wondered how you were doing. Jonathan had such a wonderful smile. He will be missed. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

Anne Drewes

May 9, 2007

I am so sorry to hear about Jon. I have thought about him and his family so often, wondering how you were doing. Please know that you are in my thoughts and prayers.
Sincerely,
Anne Drewes

Mr & Mrs James Baldoni

May 6, 2007

We were deeply saddened to hear about your loss. We have warm memories of Jonathan and Paul during those early days at St Josephs, especially the cub scout troop. There was such a lasting bond between the students from St Josephs. We will keep You in our thoughts and prayers.
Love,
Jim, Julie,
Paul and Nick

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