Nathan David Kehrein

NATHAN D. KEHREIN, age 31, died tragically Friday, May 14, 2010 at his home in Chicago. Gone in an instant, he now can see the glory of his Lord after failing to see the light and love of family and friends in the briefest of moments here on earth. BORN: He was born January 13, 1979 the son of Glen and Lonni Kehrein at St. Anne’s Hospital during the biggest snowstorm in Chicago history. EARLY YEARS:He grew up in Chicago and attended local schools. He graduated from Lane Tech High School in 1997. During his years there, Nathan played football, starting three straight years on varsity. He was selected as a member of the 1996 All City All-Star Team and was named defensive player of the game. MILITARY: Shortly after graduation, Nathan enlisted in the United States Air Force and proudly served his country until his honorable discharge on May 16, 2002. Upon return to civilian life, Nathan eventually returned to Chicago where both men’s groups, Transformation Crusade Ministries of Rock Church in Chicago and Men In Action of Zion, IL, were instrumental in Nathans growing understanding of himself, his choices and his life.MEMBERSHIPS: Nathan was a child of Rock Church and played basketball with Bo Delaney and the Wolf Pack at Circle Urban Ministries. LIFE NOTES: Nathan found unbridled joy in the outdoors. He lived for fishing for Northern Pike in the frigid waters of Northern Canada and was most at peace in a deer stand with his bow. Nathan also loved raising and breeding "Bulldogs" which were in reality Pit Bull Terriers, one of which was imported from Thailand. Blood is always thicker than water, Nathans love of his little brother Cy, his nephew Sean David and his niece Jessie ran deep and strong. The time he spent with them was some of the most treasured times of his life. Nathan also spent many hours enjoying God’s creation at the River House, a little family "shack in the woods", along the Illinois River in Peru, IL. In the end, Nathan could no longer see outside of himself. The shadow that began following him during his teenage years in the form of an undiagnosed mental illness grew to encompass all facets of his life. Nathan battled especially hard in recent years to not only understand, but to share and educate others so that they too would know that they were not alone. Eventually his pain and desperation blacked out the brightest of lights that came from all those who cared for him. Nothing in those last moments, no matter how dark, could ever replace the memories that still fill the hearts and minds of his family and friends. Now finally at peace His legacy will be the way he smiled, laughed and loved, and the life he lived with distinction. SURVIVORS: He is survived by his parents, Glen and Lonnie Kehrein of Chicago, IL, His brother Cy Kehrein, also of Chicago, IL, Two sisters:TaraDawn (Ryan) Knull of Kenosha, WI,Chelsey Angela (Sean) Powell of Kankakee, IL;Nephew, Sean David Smith of Grays Lake, IL,Niece, Jessie Knull of Kenosha, WI;Paternal grandmother, Lynda Kehrein of Schaumberg, IL;Maternal grandfather Bert Bulkley of Eau Claire, WI;Many aunts, uncles and cousins and host of friends from many walks of life. PRECEDED:He is preceded in death by his paternal grandfather, Wallace Kehrein, maternal grandmother, Florence Bulkley and one Aunt Joy Wolfe. VISITATION / FUNERAL Visitation will be from 5-8 at Circle Urban Ministries and Rock Church, 5626 W. Washington St., Chicago, IL, on Friday, May 21, 2010. A funeral service to celebrate his life will begin at 10:30 a.m. at Rock Church, on the corner of Washington St. and Central Ave. in Chicago, IL on Saturday, May 22, 2010. Rev. A. Lincoln Washington, pastor of the church, will officiate with interment to follow at Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery, Elwood, IL. DATE OF PUBLICATION REQUESTED: SHORT FORM ONLY MEDIA: Chicago Tribune, Austin Voice, Austin Weekly, Oak Leaves, Oak Park (773-854-1616)FAMILY APPROVAL SIGNATURE :=========================================================================Please adjust to conform to your format Side headers are provided for easier index editing. If questions arise, please feel free to call us at : (630) 365-6414. THANK YOU.=========================================================================NAME NATHAN D. KEHREIN, age 31, ended his life by his own choosing on Saturday, May 15, 2010 at his home in Chicago, IL. While he is gone, he is in the everlasting arms of his Lord and Savior, upon whom he leaned his entire life. He is having a good day today. SURVIVORS: He is survived by his parents, Glen and Lonni Kehrein of Chicago, IL, His brother Cy Kehrein, also of Chicago, IL, Two sisters:TaraDawn Justus (Ryan) Knull of Kenosha, WI,Chelsey Angela (Sean) Powell of Kankakee, IL;Nephew, Sean David Smith of Grays Lake, IL,Niece, Jessie Knull of Kenosha, WI;Paternal grandmother, Lynda Kehrein of Schaumberg, IL;Maternal grandfather Bert Bulkley of Chippewa Falls, WI;Many aunts, uncles and cousins and host of friends from many walks of life. PRECEDED:He is preceded in death by his paternal grandfather, Wallace Kehrein, maternal grandmother, Florence Bulkley, one Aunt, Joy Wolfe and one Uncle David Bulkley. VISITATION / FUNERAL Visitation will be from 5-8 p.m. at Circle Urban Ministries and Rock Church, 5626 W. Washington St., Chicago, IL, on Friday, May 21, 2010. A funeral service to celebrate his life will begin at 10:30 a.m. at Rock Church, on the corner of Washington St. and Central Ave. in Chicago, IL on Saturday, May 22, 2010. Rev. A. Lincoln Washington, pastor of Rock Church, will officiate with interment the following Monday at Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery, Elwood, IL.

Visitation will be from 5-8 p.m. at Circle Urban Ministries and Rock Church, 5626 W. Washington St., Chicago, IL, on Friday, May 21, 2010. A funeral service to celebrate his life will begin at 10:30 a.m. at Rock Church, on the corner of Washington St. and Central Ave. in Chicago, IL on Saturday, May 22, 2010. Rev. A. Lincoln Washington, pastor of Rock Church, will officiate.

Interment the following Monday at Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery, Elwood, IL.