Andrew Clements

Date of Birth

May 28,1982

Date of Death

Aug 27,2017

Andrew Paul “Andy” Clements, age 35, of Crystal Lake, IL, passed away suddenly and unexpectedly Sunday, August 27, 2017. Gone too soon, he will forever be missed.

He was born May 28, 1982 in Park Ridge, IL, the son of Gary and Mary Clements.

Andy spent his first few years in Chicago, but spent the rest of his childhood in Palatine where he attended local schools.

Andy graduated from William Fremd High School in 2000, but before he received his diploma, Andy made a name for himself in baseball, football and track. He continued his education at Western Illinois University where he graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Special Education. During this time, Andy discovered his love for lacrosse, eventually holding many positions of leadership in the club, including president. Following college, he carried his passion back home where he played an integral role in bringing lacross to Huntley and coached at Huntley High School.

During his lacross years at WIU he met the love of his life Katherine “Kate” Zimmer. Kate played rugby on the field adjacent to lacrosse. It was well known within the rugby circles that you were not supposed to date a lacrosse player, but their instant connection was undeniable. They were married on March 14, 2008 in Geneva, IL. Andy started their first home in Wonder Lake, also known in local circles as “Wonder-tucky”. They had many “wonder-ful” years there growing into adulthood and becoming parents with the birth of their first son, Owen. They moved to Crystal Lake to expand their family and knew it was home. Shortly thereafter they were blessed with their second son Emmett.

Andy taught at Marlowe Middle School in Huntley for 11 years while completing his Master’s Degree in School Administration. During his time, Andy became an assistant coach and later head coach for wrestling. The program boasted many state bound wrestlers, bringing home multiple awards including several state championships, which helped to establish Huntley’s proud wrestling legacy. Teaching and coaching was more than a job, he had a true passion for the kids and made an influence on many young lives. He recently moved into a position as the Special Education Coordinator for Huntley Elementary School District #158.

As a young boy, Andy caught the “baseball bug” at four years old and the fever never really broke. He excelled on the field and in the batter’s box during his high school and early adult years while playing several positions. Through it all, he wore his favorite number, 29, the same number that graced all his jerseys no matter what sport he was playing. Andy also was a diehard Cubs fan who cheered on his team through rain and shine. He found friends in every walk of life; proving that to know him was to love him. The foundation of all his friendships was loyalty. Andy saw every friend as family and you stayed family no matter how many miles or years separated you. His friends were just as dedicated and loved Andy to his core. The line between family and friends was so blurred, they had to invent a new word to encompass all his relationships, thus “framily” was born. Andy couldn’t host one of his boys birthdays without the guest list going over 80! A simple barbeque became a panorama of friendships that spanned over thirty years. He had a genuine smile and a spirit that would light up a room. You could find no better man than Andy as he would literally give you the shirt off his back (as long as you didn’t also want his shoes). The collection of gym shoes and casual loafers bordered on the ridiculous, but for Andy, it was never enough. He had a passion for jeeps as well. Most recently he acquired his “dream jeep”, a four door model to become the new “family-mobile”. He had even talked about bringing back his legacy vanity plates “EARS 29” to highlight one of his most renowned attributes. Vacations were rarely taken alone. Whether with extended family or framily, they would travel and make memories together across the country. His love may have been shared freely with many people over the years, but his family was always at the top of his list. Andy was a loving husband and a hands-on active dad for his two sons. Andy coached them in baseball and was so excited to introduce them into his wonderful world of lacrosse. From family walks and bike rides to double piggybacks at bedtime, Andy loved being with his kids. Owen and Emmett were his best accomplishment and brought him endless joy. No one loved life more than Andy, a man who seemed to make memories with every smile. His loss may be great, and the grief overwhelming, but Andy’s memory will shine through the darkness and brighten every heart.

He is survived by his loving wife Kate Clements; two sons Owen and Emmett; three sisters: Christina (Kevin) Wagenknecht and their children: Catherine (Kyle) Halek and Heather Wagenknecht; Ginger Purgatorio and her children, Tucker, Trevor, and Torunn Purgatorio; and Tracy (Christopher) Jones; mother: Mary Clements; one paternal grandmother, Nora Clements; and extended family that includes a mother-in-law, four sister-in-laws, two brother-in-laws, four nephews, one niece, many aunts, uncles, cousins, and lastly extended family spanning decades.

He is preceded in death by his his father, Gary Clements; father-in-law Karl Zimmer; paternal grandfather, Bill Clements; maternal grandfather William Paton and maternal grandmother Genevieve Paton;

Visitation will be from 3-8 p.m., Thursday, August 31, 2017 at the Elburn Lions Club, 500 Filmore St., Elburn, IL. Private family burial will follow cremation at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established in Andy’s name to benefit Kate during this difficult time and Owen and Emmett’s college fund. Donations can be made at
– http://www.youcaring.com/kateclementsowenclementsemmettclements-917848
Checks may be made out to the “Andrew Clements Memorial Fund” and mailed in care of P.O. Box 66, Elburn, 60119
Tributes may also expressed through Speaksafe at (641)715-3365. The Andy Clements extension can be found by pressing 40406#. Written tributes may also be left on the Conley Funeral Home Facebook page and visit www.conleycare.com where you can see his full life story.

Visitation will be from 3-8 p.m., Thursday, August 31, 2017 at the Elburn Lions Club, 500 Filmore St., Elburn, IL.

Private family burial will follow cremation at a later date.

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