On Wednesday, March 25, 2015 the Geneva College community gathered together during its weekly chapel service and mourned the unexpected death and celebrated cherished memories of senior engineering major and student-athlete Jonathan Antonishen. That same day, Beaver County Coroner Teri Tatalovich-Rossi ruled that the 22-year-old from Acme, Pa., had died of natural causes after suffering a "cardiac event" on the evening of Monday, March 23 after becoming ill while studying with friends in the Student Center.
Geneva students, faculty, staff and others have been helping each other process Jonathan’s death since the tragic event. Throughout the following day, Chaplain Rut Etheridge and other members of the faculty and staff were available to talk and pray with students and others who needed support. Groups met throughout the day to pray for Jonathan’s parents, brother, as well as for his many friends, including football and track teammates and coaches.
And a tribute page is available on Geneva’s website for people to post prayers, memories and condolences.
"Jon was a great, down to earth guy who genuinely cared about the people around him. I think I speak for most of the senior engineers when I say that he was a blessing to have in class and talk to in the hallways. He will be missed very much, and our prayers go out to his family and friends," wrote Geneva student Brooke Wible.
Teammate Travis Rogan posted, “I played football with Jon at Geneva for four years. He was one of the most encouraging people I had the privilege to know. … While my heart breaks for his life being cut short so close to graduation and with so much left to accomplish, I know God has a purpose for this higher than our own understanding. Anto will be in my heart as I walk across the stage he should be crossing this may, and onward throughout my life as I remember him as my brother in the GT Family.”
Counseling is available to any student who needs assistance in dealing with grief or other emotional issues.
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