Nathan was preceded in death by his great-grandparents, Lloyd and Alice Yarber; a grandfather, Stanley Jung; two infant sisters, April Lynn and Alexandra Leann; and a cousin, Logan Adams.
Nathan is survived by his parents, Brian and Lisa, nee Jung, Fox of Freeburg, IL; his son, Ronan Jett Fox Atwell of Tennessee; his fur son, Morty Fox of Freeburg, IL; grandmother, Mary Jung of Freeburg, IL; grandparents, Robert and Joy Fox of Coulterville, IL; three sisters, Krystal (Gavin) Noble of Freeburg, IL, Brianna Fox of Freeburg, IL, and Gabby Fox of Freeburg, IL; two brothers, Shane (Abby) Yarber of Mascoutah, IL, and Manuel Jacinto of Belleville, IL; two beautiful nieces, Alexis and Zoey Noble; his special friend, Alisa Benak; and numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins.
The night you left my son, was a very strange night. We woke from our sleep at 3:32a.m. to deal with the news that you had chosen to leave us. This was more than we could comprehend. We sat outside several hours and cried just waiting for the opportunity to see you one last time. We all had so many questions and not enough answers. The pain here at our home was eerie. Uncle Mike came right away, Uncle Troy and Aunt Sherri were here also, no one knowing what to say or do. The cries were deafening.
Now that the shock has worn off just a bit, we need to focus on the life we all loved and enjoyed; the silly somewhat crazy man we knew and loved. You were most definitely “the life of the party”. Whether you were fighting with us or making us laugh, you were always there; always a great son, grandson, brother, uncle, father, and friend. As a son, you made our lives anything but boring, as a grandson, you drove your grandmother insane but were always there for her. As a brother, you never left a dull moment, as an uncle, you were the bomb when you weren’t being mean, as a friend, you were brutally honest, but would still give the shirt off your back to help anyone.
As a father, you were the best! You gave your only son up for adoption one month ago, but only to the two people you trusted to raise the biggest part of your heart. Alan and Breanna Atwell created a bond with you that can never be broken. Their hearts are broken for you but are proud to have a part of you to raise and teach him what a wonderful father he had. They will tell him about you and how great you were.
As a dad to your fur son, Morty, you were the best. He was always excited to pick you up from work and get his fresh donut from Circle K on the way home. You treated Morty better than you treated most people. He loves you and is so devastated that you are gone. He is so sad and looks for you all over the house.
You were an extremely stubborn and opinionated person, I’m sure the time will come when we miss that part of you. For now, we just MISS the hell out of you.
We will miss you forever and always son. Love, Mom.
Nathan was a member of St. Clair Masonic Lodge #24 in Belleville, IL, and the Mascoutah Moose Lodge #815 Mascoutah, IL.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the family, to be split between alcohol rehabilitation and suicide prevention. The remainder will be put in a trust for Ronan. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.rennerfh.com.
Visitation: Friends may visit from 9 to 11:30 a.m. Saturday, July 9, 2022, at George Renner & Sons Funeral Home, Belleville, IL.
Funeral: A Moose ritual will be held at 11:30 a.m., followed by a Masonic ritual and final goodbyes.