Jonathan Troxel

Jonathan Conrad Paul Troxel died suddenly from cardiac arrest on June 6, 2023, in Chicago, Illinois. He was 52 years old. He is survived by his beloved wife, Elizabeth Kathleen Laffey Troxel, whom he married on May 19, 2007, and his devoted parents, James and Karen Troxel, all of Chicago, plus family in Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, Oklahoma, and Texas. A loving husband, son and loyal friend, Jonathan’s Christian spirit guided his life, which he spent living his faith and sharing in its glories. One of his favorite scriptures, Isaiah 40:28-31, provided comfort and strength in daily life and, in some ways, reflected the namesakes given to him at birth. Born October 16, 1970 in the nation’s capital, Washington, D.C., his parents chose to name him Jonathan from the Old Testament, meaning “gift of God,” and Conrad to instill the strength of a knight, and Paul, the apostle from the New Testament “sent to bear the word boldly”. For the first six years of his life, Jonathan traveled with his parents as they traversed the planet engaged in community development, living stateside in the District, Milwaukee, Santa Monica, and abroad in Brussels, Bel- gium, and Kaohsiung, Taiwan. In Belgium, he learned French in the classroom and Dutch on the playground. In Taiwan, he learned Mandarin in the classroom and Taiwanese during recess. At age six, the Troxels moved to Chicago and stayed — except for his freshman year in high school, which Jonathan spent in Kenya as a volunteer village development worker. Every year Jonathan celebrated his spiritual birthday with the Chicago Church of Christ where he met his wife, Liz. In April, he delivered the contextual sermonette for the church Eucharist. Always generous with his time and faith, he had volunteered as the church’s Children’s Program Coordinator and Hope Worldwide, raising aware- ness of family health programs and often assisting in child immunization drives for the Hope/Illinois State Kid- Care Program. Jonathan attended Chicago schools of Stewart, Faraday, Swift, and St. Thomas of Canterbury elementary schools and Sullivan High School. He completed his Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts degrees at National-Louis Uni- versity, Chicago. His master’s thesis focused on “Telling the Transformative Story through Narrative Therapy”. A life learner, Jonathan recently earned Certification in Biblical Studies from Moody Bible Institute, Chicago. A Chicago sports fan with a soft spot for the Chicago Cubs, he recently became interested in minor league base- ball. He enjoyed biking and more than once completed the 30-mile “Bike the (Lake Shore) Drive” with his father. Jonathan’s artistic side included crafts like hooking rugs to painting (his favorite artist was Van Gogh), and recently, pet portraiture. He began his professional career at Thresholds, a mental health treatment organization. For the past 11 years, he was employed at the Admiral at the Lake Retirement Center in Chicago. One of the Admiral’s team of Concierges, he was their longest serving employee. Residents and team members alike remember how Jonathan never failed to greet fellow employees and to always ask how he could be of help. A note from Liz Troxel: “Thank you everyone for your thoughts and your prayers for Jonathan. I was blessed to know him for 22 years and married to him for 16 years. We had many great memories going to Cubs games, going out to eat, and enjoying the rides to and from church while listening to K-Love in the car. We always loved watching Marvel movies and the Hallmark channel. He was such a loving, spiritual man who was always thinking of others in their time of need. We have had many great trips such as going to Ireland; the West Coast of Michigan; and our honeymoon in Williamsburg, Virginia. I love you, Jonathan, and I will cherish all the wonderful times we spent with one another. Jonathan, you will be missed, but not forgotten.” A memorial service is planned at 1:30 p.m. on July 9 at United Lutheran Church, 409 Greenfield Street, Oak Park, IL. In lieu of flowers, remembrances in Jonathan’s honor may be made to his church, Chicago Church of Christ, 8745 West Higgins Road, Suite 110, Chicago, IL, 60631, or to the Institute of Cultural Affairs, 4750 North Sheridan Road, Chicago, IL 60640.

Jonathan Troxel

October 16, 1970 - June 6, 2023

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Jonathan Troxel

October 16, 1970 - June 6, 2023

365 Days of Grief Support

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