Heartbreak in Chicago: Beloved Crystal Lake Native and Talented Artist Jonathon Be Mourned by Family, Friends, and a Devoted Creative Community After Sudden Loss
CHICAGO, IL – June 19, 2025 — A wave of heartbreak has swept through Chicago and the quiet suburban streets of Crystal Lake as the family and friends of Jonathon Be — also known by many as Jonathon Ernst — come to terms with the devastating news of his passing.
A beloved son, a fiercely loyal brother, a creative force, and an irreplaceable friend, Jonathon died recently, leaving behind a void that words can barely begin to fill.
His sister announced the loss with deep sorrow:
“Today I lost my brother Jonathon Be. My parents, Jae and June, lost their youngest son. The world lost a talented artist, a die-hard, life-long friend, a loving partner to Kelly, a well-loved brother-in-law to Kirsten, a Goonie, and a Psycho. A deeper, more meaningful obituary and details on celebration(s) of life will be released soon, but for now, know that he was loved until the end, and will continue to be loved as long as he’s remembered.”
Those words have since echoed across social media and into the hearts of all who were lucky enough to know Jonathon. The outpouring of love, stories, and memories are testaments to the kind of person he was — not just a man, but a presence. A connector. A spark.
A Life Built on Creativity and Courage
Born and raised in Crystal Lake, Illinois, Jonathon was always known for marching to the beat of his own drum. From a young age, it was clear that he saw the world differently — not just in terms of how it looked, but how it felt. That vision eventually shaped him into an artist who refused to be confined by labels or limitations.
Whether it was through painting, design, mixed media, or simply the way he told stories, Jonathon’s work was raw, honest, and intensely human. He didn’t just create art — he channeled emotion, often exposing his soul in ways that made others feel seen.
As he planted roots in Chicago, his artistry blossomed alongside his community. He was known throughout the city’s underground and independent art scenes not only for his talent, but for his authenticity — and for always lifting up others in the process.
A Devoted Partner and Loyal Friend
Jonathon shared his life with Kelly, his partner and best friend. Their relationship was a quiet and profound kind of love — filled with humor, depth, and an unspoken understanding that could only be built over time. To Kelly, Jonathon was not just a partner, but a home.
To his sister Kirsten, he was more than a sibling. He was a rock. A whirlwind of loyalty and laughter. A protector. A soul who would drop anything if someone he loved needed him. Their bond was unshakable — formed not just by family ties, but by trust and admiration.
And to his wide circle of friends — affectionately known as “The Goonies” and “The Psychos” — Jonathon was the heart of it all. The one who kept the late-night conversations going, the one who showed up no matter what, the one who made you laugh when you wanted to cry. His loyalty ran deep, and he loved his people with fierce conviction.
Gone Too Soon, But Never Forgotten
Jonathon’s death is a crushing blow to the many lives he touched. And yet, even in this darkest of moments, his family is determined to celebrate him the way he lived — with boldness, with truth, and with love.
In the coming days, a more complete obituary and celebration(s) of life will be announced. His loved ones ask for time to grieve and space to reflect, but they also want people to remember Jonathon the way he would’ve wanted: not in silence, but in stories. Not in mourning alone, but in music, in paint, in laughter, in full-volume living.
As his sister so poignantly said, “He was loved until the end, and will continue to be loved as long as he’s remembered.”
And he will be remembered — not just as a son or a brother or a friend, but as a fire that burned bright, even in the darkest hours. A Goonie. A Psycho. A creator. A force.
Rest in power, Jonathon Be. Your love lives on.