Elijah (Shy) Vajgert

Date of Birth

Aug 28,2000

Date of Death

Nov 05,2016

Elijah “Shy” Vajgert, age 16, of Maple Park, died tragically alongside his best friend Arty Stenger in an accident, Saturday, November 5, 2016. Gone in an instant, their bittersweet memories are all we have left as a balm to the hurting hearts of a community.
He was born to proud parents, Bruce and Carol (Crumb) Vajgert on August 28, 2000.
Elijah, known as “Shy” to his family and friends, grew up on the family tree farm in Maple Park and attended Kaneland Schools. He helped with chores but it was well known that any instructions that accompanied a task had to be specific, or you were sure to shake your head in disbelief at the “Shy Way” of doing things.
Shy wore his heart on his sleeve but had a quirky soul. He was prone to putting himself in “unique” and unforgettable situations, often ending in hilarity. “Boys will be boys” isn’t a broad enough term to cover all of his shenanigans. He had the mind of a sponge and could take in any amount of information and later recall it perfectly. Shy had an amazing ability to look at a situation or even a math problem, skip the conventional way, and find a better, faster way to the answer. His photographic memory astounded family and friends but as gifted as Shy was, his common sense lacked the depth of his natural intelligence, much to his and his family’s chagrin and frustration. Shy lived for the outdoors but also loved to spend time playing Modern Warfare 3 on his PS3.He had a passion for fishing, especially on the Columbia River, where he caught an amazing eleven foot Sturgeon with his “Uncle Wayno”. It was a feat he was never able to replicate except in the tall tales that followed other fishing trips. His taste in foods ran the gambit of a normal teenager with the exception of putting ketchup on anything and everything. Shy loved his family with all his heart and was happiest when surrounded by them. He also had a side that many never knew. Shy had a depth to his character that would surprise you, often writing heartfelt letters that read as if they came from an “old soul”. Wisdom came from unplumbed depths and Shy had a perspective that was all his own. He often recognized a deeper meaning, just lurking underneath the surface. Arty Stenger was Shy’s best friend and they spent nearly every waking hour together. Inseparable, Arty was known to spend weeks at a time at Shy’s house. He became such a familiar face, Arty quickly became an “adopted son”. As much as it hurts to lose them both, Shy and Arty can continue their adventures together, making the angels nervous at every turn.
He leaves his parents, Bruce and Carol Vajgert; three siblings: Savannah, Hunter and Jonah Vajgert; paternal grandmother, Anna Marie Vajgert; maternal grandmother, Shirley Crumb; several aunts, uncles, cousins and a family of friends.
He is preceded in death by his paternal grandfather, Wayne Vajgert; maternal grandfather, Ronald Crumb and one uncle, Thomas Crumb.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established in Elijah’s name. Checks may be made to Elijah Vajgert Memorial and mailed in care of P.O. Box 66 Elburn, IL 60119. Tributes and memories may also be forwarded to the family through the Conley Funeral Home Facebook Page and www.conleycare.com where you can see his full life story.

IMPORTANT UPDATE: CHANGE IN FUNERAL SERVICE FOR ELIJAH "SHY" VAJGERT The family has opened up his funeral service to the public, however the burial services will remain private. Family and friends are welcome to attend Shy's funeral service on Saturday, November 12, at 9 a.m., at Conley Funeral Home, 116 W. Pierce St., Elburn, IL 60119. Please note, the obituary in the Wednesday edition of the Daily Herald will still read that services are private. The changes requested by the family came in after the deadline for the newspapers had passed.

Visitation will be from 3-8 p.m., Friday, November 11, 2016 at Kaneland Meredith Campus (former Kaneland Middle and Elementary School) , 1N137 Meredith Rd., Maple Park, IL .

Private family services and burial will follow at a later date.

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