Jonathan Paul Blitz

Jonathan Paul Blitz, age 65, of Crown Point, Indiana, formerly of Charleston, Illinois, died on September 29, 2024. Jon was born February 22, 1959, in Norwalk, Connecticut, the youngest child of Paul and Betty Blitz. Jon met his wife of 40 years, Erin (Williams), as students at the University of Puget Sound. After graduating, they packed his VW Bug and moved to Colorado. There, while Jon completed his Chemistry PhD at Colorado State University, they had their first child, Ian. Upon completion of his post doc with Batelle at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory in Richland, Washington, Jon and his family moved to Cincinnati, Ohio where he worked as an industrial chemist. In Cincinnati, Jon and Erin had their second child, Jordy, and third child, Thorin. Seeking more engaging work that included research and publishing, Jon accepted a job as a professor at Eastern Illinois University in Charleston, Illinois. While working at EIU, Jon applied and won a competitive Fullbright Scholarship allowing him and his family to live in Australia for half a year. In 2009, Jon was diagnosed with brain cancer. He subsequently participated in a trial treatment, successfully resulting in remission. After this experience, Jon sought new challenges in the form of union advocacy, for which it turned out he had a particular penchant. Jon served as Vice President, lead contract negotiator, President of Eastern’s union branch, and then Treasurer of the union’s Illinois chapter. Utilizing his unwavering determination, pragmatism, and strategic approach to life, Jon substantially improved the incomes and working conditions of his colleagues, ultimately earning his name on University Professionals of Illinois’ wall of fame. As a husband and father, Erin stated she “had no complaints” regarding Jon’s conduct (which if you knew her, you would understand is the highest honor bestowed). As with everything else, Jon brought a calmness, easy-going, intentional, humorous, and thoughtful approach to family life. Never lashing out or letting emotions of the moment negatively impacting his relationships, he was always someone on which you could rely. Jon’s colleagues saw these characteristics as well, making lifelong friends wherever he worked. His family loved and admired him, as he imparted his values of kindness and gentleness, which were expertly balanced with measured assertiveness. Jon is survived by his wife, sons: Ian (Emily) of Chicago and Thorin (Natalie Weill) of Jericho, VT, and daughter, Jordy Novak (Andrew), and grandson, Jona Ray Novak of Crown Point, and brother Terry Blitz (Laurie) of Mesa, AZ. He was preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Marsha Hollister. A visitation will be held on Sunday, October 6, 2024, from 10 a.m. CDT until the time of memorial service at 12 p.m. at Burns Funeral Home & Crematory, 10101 Broadway, Crown Point, Indiana with Rabbi Diane Tracht officiating. In lieu of flowers memorial donations can be made to Malnati Brain Tumor Institute (MBTI) at Northwestern. www.burnsfuneral.com

Jonathan Paul Blitz

February 22, 1959 - September 29, 2024