1972
2012
Crystal Lake-Brian D. Sonntag, 39, of Crystal Lake passed away Monday, March 19, 2012.
He was born May 10, 1972 in Carbondale to Vance and Ellen (Rennhak) Sonntag.
Brian enjoyed snowboarding, riding motorcycles, fishing, sailing, and truly loved skateboarding. He was an excellent cabinet maker and a fantastic cook. He attended Crystal Lake Central High School and worked as a cook at Duke's Alehouse.
Brian believed we are all born into this world with certain abilities and various needs. The challenge of life is for us to discover those abilities.
He is survived by his son, Guinness Sonntag; his mother, Ellen Sonntag; his aunts and uncles, Mary Jane and Michael Cole, Valorie and Forrest Green, and Douglas Sonntag; his cousins, John (Catherine) McNamara, Julie Kienzle, Margie Boyd, Nancy Borchert, and Jenny Solak; and many close friends.
He was preceded in death by his father, Vance; his brother, Sean; his infant brother, Timothy; his maternal grandparents, LaVerne and Eleanor Rennhak; and his paternal grandparents, Orville and Florence Sonntag.
Visitation will be from 4 to 8pm on Friday, March 23, at Querhammer & Flagg Funeral Home, 500 W. Terra Cotta Ave., Crystal Lake.
Visitation will continue from 9:30am to the 10am prayers on Saturday, March 24, at the funeral home. A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:30am at St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church, 451 W. Terra Cotta Ave., Crystal Lake.
Interment will be in Windridge Memorial Park, Cary.
Memorials may be made to the family to establish an education fund for Brian's son, Guinness.
For information call the funeral home at 815-459-1760. Online condolences may be made at www.querhammerandflagg.com.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
April 14, 2012
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March 27, 2012
Jennifer Smith
We miss you Brian! Almost 6 Years ago, Brian lived with me and son. He added strength and a wild happiness to our home. My life has had a refreshed meaning since having met Brian, I will never forget you.
March 27, 2012
Michelle Markham
I am sorry to hear you are gone, you were always a smiling face in the crowd.
We'll miss you.
March 25, 2012
Trinity Wright-Horn
Sadly, you will be missed by many in your absense. However you will live forever within the memories you have created with so very many people and the stories shall always be told for years to come. My thoughts and prayers go out to those friends and family that are in need and may you find it comforting to know that you will see him again in time.
March 23, 2012
thought and prayers,live forever in the great beyond
-Dan and Tracy Wood
March 23, 2012
Karin Nuelle
Sorry about your loss. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
March 22, 2012
Chuck Hite
Am sad to hear to hear of Brians passing on. He always will remind me of happy days in high school. Him and DTS AKA Downtown Skaters and the halfpipe in his backyard. Memories of punk rock and nights spent at the now gone Crystal Point mall in the arcade. I know his son will be just like his dad a great friend and a true trailblazer .
March 22, 2012
Amy Dolinger
My thoughts and condolences to the family and friends of Brian. Eventhough i live in Denver I was lucky enough to have seen him when he went out of his way to come see me at the Chicago airport during a layover this past July. He was so caring and had a great heart. I truly feel like a piece of my has passed since he helped sculpt me into the person i am today. Ellen you remain the strongest woman I know and Brian always bragged about what a great mother you are. Amy
March 22, 2012
Susan B Johnson
Dear Ellen and family. I am so sorry to hear of your son's death. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
March 22, 2012
Kristin Ziemba
Spread your wings and fly Brian. Love, light and healing for Ellen, Guinness and all who love you.
March 22, 2012
Kathie Rudsinski - Sebastian
Ellen: I am sorry to hear of the loss of your son, Brian. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
March 22, 2012
sage brekka
Brian you were a true friend to have. and look forward to meeting you on the flip-side.Ride your wave Brian its all yours!
March 22, 2012
Mary Reid
Ellen, I am sorry to hear of the loss of your son. You and your family will be in my thoughts during this time of great sadness.
March 22, 2012
Christi Ladd
Brian you will be missed everyday!!!!! you were the true meaning of a free spirit.... Your in a much better place now... You can now be your son's Gaurdian Angel.... RIP with your brother and your father!!!! Hold the gates open for me when its my turn to join you my friend!!!!!!
March 22, 2012
Heidi Welch
Brian was a loyal friend. He had a beautiful heart and a lively spirit. I am forever grateful for the influence he had in my life. In the two years I've known him, Brian's zest for life invited me to see through the eyes of an open soul, and allowed me to regain some of my own spunk I had once thought was lost. Memories of ways he knew how to make people smile are flooding my mind. Though I am struck with sadness, I'm comforted in knowing his playful soul lives on. Brian was always true to himself and passionate for what he believed in. My heart goes out to his phenomenal mother, Ellen, and his son, Guinness, of whom I've heard such wonderful things. Brian's love for him is tremendous and everlasting.
Rest and play in peace, Brian!
March 21, 2012
Dave Jensen
If ever in my life I could describe someone as "vibrant", it would be Brian. He had a peculiar habit of making everyone around him happy and having fun. The vibrancy that Brian added to our lives will be cherished in all of our memories. Rest in peace, my brother!
March 21, 2012
anonymous
Rest in peace...now you are free.
March 21, 2012
Tim Drake
Dear Ellen, Guiness, Family, and Friends,
My deep sympathy for the loss of Brian. His constant smile and unbounded energy was the source of many good things. I knew and remember "little Brian" from our days in Scouts. He was always moving, always doing, always exploring. I'm sure he is still doing those things, just now in another place. Godspeed Brian.
March 21, 2012
Mike Strobel
I didn't know Brian very well but all the times that he was around or I was around him it was always a good time. Happy, laughing and positive energy. He definitely did live life to the fullest and tried to just enjoy every moment of it. The world will be a darker place without him... My deepest condolences go out to his family and everyone that loved him. He will truly be missed.... See you on the other side ,Brian.
March 21, 2012
Stacie Malone
All my love, thoughts and prayers are with you all. My heart is heavy, but I am glad to have known such an amazing person and be able to call him a true friend. I wanted to be among you all. Due to illness, I can't fly. Just know I am with you in spirit. Much love always:)
March 21, 2012
Bruce Croslow
I will miss you, my brother.
March 21, 2012
Sean Fermoyle
Brian - you were a true, original dude, I wish we had more chances to talk and get to know each other. Be well my brother.
March 21, 2012
Eric Walker
I am so sorry to hear of the passing of Brian. My deepest sympathies go out to his family. Although it's been over 20 years since I've spent time with Brian, I will always remember him as a friendly, creative guy who made every situation fun.
March 21, 2012
Matt Clark
Dear Ellen,
I am so happy that Brian and I got to spend a day snowboarding together recently. He was at his best in his element-on a board. I am so thankful for him in my life as a friend who always pushed me to new heights. You were such a great Mom to him and all of us. You supported us selflessly and wholeheartedly. All of his friends, especially me, love you and are now so sad to know that you are in pain. You don't deserve this loss and I am here for you(close by) if there is anything I can do. He would want us all to be happy about his life and remember that he lived with real passion that most people will never know anything about. Hang in there-we will all celebrate his memory together until we join him.
March 21, 2012
Kristin Smith
To Ellen, Guiness and friends and family as we all grieve for the sudden loss of a great person and loving soul. Although this sudden and early passing of a very dear friend has me deeply saddened and and still shocked, I take solace in the fact that Brian lived everyday of his life to it's fullest. Truly. He was a free spirit and truly one of a kind. His spirit is more free now than ever before and I have no doubt that he is making the most of this on the other side. I feel truly blessed to have had our lives intersect in the way they did. He touched my soul forever. My thoughts, prayers, heart and positive energy goes out to all of us that grieve his loss. Most of all to Ellen and Guiness. You have a lot of support in love in all of us that love Brian.
March 21, 2012
Lynn Deter
Ellen, so very sorry to hear that your son Brian passed away. I remember you and I spending time talking about "our kids" years ago at housing training sessions. Hopefully you will have many good memories to help to get you through these sad times. Thinking about you with sympathy for your loss. Lynn Deter
March 20, 2012
Darlene Dray (Walkosz)
Ellen,
My thoughts and prayers are with you. Brian was so very special and a wonderful friend to Herc and Jamie. I am so deeply sorry for your loss.
Showing 1 - 27 of 27 results
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