Racine– Jonathan Ray Kwiatkowski, 21, had his young and vibrant life selfishly taken from him on Monday, April 4, 2011.

Jonathan was born at St. Luke's Medical Center in Milwaukee on July 8, 1989 to Lori Ann and Timothy Kwiatkowski. He graduated with honors from William Horlick High School in 2007. Jon was currently a junior at University of Wisconsin – Parkside pursuing a major in Humanities.

Motivated and hardworking to say the least, while Jon was successfully completing his studies at Parkside, he was also employed as a sales specialist at Best Buy for the past few years. Recently, Jon co-founded a clothing company – "Home Sweet Home", where they focused on selling creations at venues throughout the local music community. Christian by faith, Jon shared his God-given gift as a musician throughout Southeastern Wisconsin. Above all, Jonathan was a model student, son, brother, grandson, and uncle, who always had a kind word for others, especially for those who seemed to be a little disadvantaged and less fortunate.

Surviving are his broken-hearted parents, Lori and Tim Kwiatkowski; treasured brothers, Kyle (Cassie) and Cory Kwiatkowski; beloved grandparents, Raymond and Patricia Kwiatkowski, Linda Briere and Paul (Jean) Peppey; dear great-grandmother, Esther Pruski; cherished nieces, Kyla and Koda Kwiatkowski; loving aunts and uncles, Christian (Mike) Stratton, the late Jeffrey (Linda) Kwiatkowski, Lisa (Paul) Peters, Diane (Bob) Schotzko and Joseph (Rachael) Briere and by many other great-aunts and uncles, cousins, other relatives and dedicated friends – too numerous to mention by name. In addition to his Uncle Jeff, Jonathan was preceded in death by his great-grandparents, Bud and Lois Hill.

Funeral services celebrating Jonathan's life will be held in the Draeger-Langendorf Funeral Home on Sunday, April 10, 2011 at 11:00 am with Rev. Jeffrey M. Thielen officiating. Visitation will be in the funeral home on Saturday from 2-5 pm and on Sunday from 10-11. Cremation will follow the services and private interment will take place. To enhance the studies of local students in the future, memorials to the Jonathan Ray Kwiatkowski Scholarship Fund (set up at all Johnson Bank locations) has been suggested.

Special note of thanks to our family, friends, law enforcement and to the Racine community for the outpouring of love and support during this devastating time. Please keep our entire family in your prayers.

"Heads up. Hearts up. Hopes up."