Jonathan Clemens
Jul 30th 1947 - Jul 22nd 2010
Print All
Tom Somers
August 9th 2010
The first time I met John was shortly after I ran an ad in the local newspaper looking for a bartender. John showed up on a Friday afternoon applying for the job. I asked him when he could start and he said how about tonight. John turned out to be not only the best bartender I ever knew but also a very good friend. Occasionally he would drag me to an art show in Grand Rapids where we stood around and drank tea out of very small cups as he excitedly showed me different pieces of art done by artists that he knew. We met for lunch a few times after I sold the bar. I regret that we didn't get together more. I will miss him very much.
Tom Somers
Alicia Kershaw
August 1st 2010
Jon frequently came into the library to use the computers. I always smiled when he came in. He would always brighten my day. I will miss him. We were blessed to have known him.
Ricki Foster
August 1st 2010
I met Jon when I was a student in the WMU art department in the late 1980's. Although I did not have him for a class, we became friends and often talked after class, or passing in the hall, or at the end of the day, and I always looked forward to seeing him. He teased me all the time, and we never failed to laugh alot together. I will always remember him that way, laughing, holding his ever-present coffee cup. What a nice person he was.
Jami Brooks
July 31st 2010
I worked at Carman Pharmacy and Soda Fountain when I met Jon. Wow! He so reminded me of my father. I remember makinf him a hor dog and he always asked for mustard, thus getting it in his mustache. I told him that just because I loved his mustache that I would start putting it on the bun instead of on top of the hot dog. He laughed!
We teased each other all the time and I so enjoyed his conversation!
I had run into Jon about three weeks ago at the Pharmacy and he was eating lunch. I no longer work at the pharmacy due to some health issues and I walked over to him and started a conversation and asked him how he was doing and he shut me down and said "no dear, how are you doing?" I proceeded to tell him a lot better and I also commented on how well his color was. I told him that I missed him and he gave me a hug.
When I learned of Jon's death I just cried as I am right now...I am so sorry for EVERYONE'S loss. What an awesome man this world will miss!
See you some day my friend!
Jami
Lee Ann Frame
July 29th 2010
Jon was my mentor and cohort in printmaking, most of all a dear friend. There will be a great void in my life now and at the same time my life is enriched beyond words for having met Jon. His humor made me smile, his intellect chanllenge me, and his dedication to art will forever inspire me.
I must share this story with you. On Thursday July 22, I was in NC for the birth of my grandson. That night Jon came to me in a dream. We sat and visited, he said, "everything will be fine and that he was leaving this world." Upon my return I drove to Shelbyville on Wednesday to visit Jon, I learned of his tragic death from his neighbor across the street.
I will miss Jonathan. My prayers for all of us especially his daughter and family.
Lee Ann
Laura Sampsel
July 28th 2010
I have been fortunate to know Jon within the last couple of years. He knew my interest in art and discussed my ideas. He encouraged me. He truely was a teacher at heart! I certainly will miss him, his humor, & sharing a laugh. I thought he was pulling my leg about the whole "Uncle God" bit, but I get it now.
Thanks Jon
Michael Dunn
July 28th 2010
Jon was a real printer. Printers have a desire to achieve perfection and the wisdom to know that one can only get really close. Jon would be able to achieve that over edition after edition and still maintain his warmth and his sense of humor. We debated many times over the need for making multiple prints and what constituted perfection, but we never waivered in our passion for printmaking. He shared that passion with everyone that he touched and was a generous teacher. Jon also shared his passion for life, his sense of humor and his thoughtful observations with his friends. I will miss that most of all.
Pat Rowe-Pennington
July 27th 2010
Jon.....such a kind, gentle soul. I am another of those who remember his great conversations & humor at the bar at Arie's Cafe. I am fortunate enough to have had him do some framing for me which still hangs in my home. He had a wonderful eye & enormous talent as well as a wisdom about life that helped me along the way.
I will miss that trademark mustache & his infectious laugh.
My sympathies to his family,
Pat
Carolyn Clemens Harvey
July 27th 2010
My earliest memory of my Uncle Jon was 1969. I remember him leaning against a tree in our front yard on a beautiful day on Bulah Avenue( I must have been 3). Uncle Jon was teaching me that the word for the tree was car and the word for car was tree. He was funny like that. I remember looking at him with his long hair and beard (woodstock era) and thinking that he looked an aweful lot like Jesus. He was my God Father as well, and at 3 this all confused me. He told me to just call him Uncle God, so I did. We all did from then on.
I will miss his humor and the way he really focused on you when you spoke with him.
I imagine that Grandma, Grandpa and Joyce are glad to see him-- now they have a foursome for Bridge.
Rest in peace Uncle God
I will think of you often.
Carolyn
DIANE CLEMENS
July 27th 2010
MY HEART IS HURTING, I WILL MISS A VERY SPECIAL BROTHER IN LAW. JON SHOWED SO MUCH LOVE FOR ME, MY CHILDREN AND EXSPECIALLY MY GRANDSON COREY. COREY WAS JUST IN AWE OF UNCLE JON'S ART WORK. JON GAVE HIM ENCOURAGEMENT IN BOTH ART AND MUSIC. I WAS BLESSED WITH SOME VERY PRIVATE TALKS AND TIMES WITH JON. HE ALWAYS SAID WHEN HE CALLED, HEY THIS IS YOUR "HANDSOME BROTHER!" I WILL MISS HIS HUMOR!! GOD HAS TAKEN A VERY SPECIAL MAN. HEAVEN WILL NEVER BE THE SAME.
LOVE YOU JON-DIANE
July 27th 2010
JOHNATHON BENTON CLEMENS
BORN JULY 30, 1947 DIED JULY 22, 2010
JON WAS BORN IN ST. ELIZABETH HOSPITAL DAYTON, OHIO. BUT COULD NOT LEAVE RIGHT AWAY DUE TO A PROBLEM WITH HIS STOMACH. HE WEIGHTED 6 LBS. AT BIRTH AND DROPPED TO 3 LBS. AFTER HIS SURGERY. DAD SAID HE COULD FIT JON IN THE PALM OF HIS HAND. HE STRUGGLED, MOM SAID JUST TO GET HERE. HE WAS ALWAYS SMALL AND WAS PICKED ON BY HIS BROTHERS BUT WAS ALWAYS LOVED. HE DID ALL THE THINGS YOUNG BOYS DID AND HAVING FOUR BROTHERS IT WAS NEVER HARD TO HAVE IDEAS FOR THINGS TO GET IN TROUBLE. HE PLAYED PEE WEE FOOTBALL IN 3RD GRADE AND BROKE HIS LEG AND WAS IN A HOSPITAL BED FOR 6 MONTHS. HE ATTENDED HOLY ANGLES GRADE SCHOOL, OAKWOOD HIGH SCHOOL, THE DAYTON ART INSTITUTE AND THE UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONIA AT TEMPE WHERE HE RECEIVED HIS MASTERS DEGREE. HE WORKED SEVERAL SUMMERS AT THE FAMILY PLUMBING BUSINESS AND WOULD COME OVER TO MY HOUSE AND HAVE FUN CONFOUNDING AND QUIZING MY KIDS ABOUT LIFE AND GIVING HIS OPINIONS ON EVERYTHING. THE KIDS THOUGHT HE WAS MAGICAL AND MARVELOUS AND LOVINGLY REFFERED TO HIM AS UNCLE GOD, BECAUSE HE TALKED WITH THEM NOT TO THEM.
JON MOVED TO MICHIGAN AND WORKED AS A MASTER PRINTER FOR SEVERAL YEARS AND THEN MOVED TO SHELBYVILLE IN WITH HIS WIFE ROSE AND DAUGHTER VANESSA. JON TENDED BAR, SOLD CARS, WORKED IN A LUMBER YARD AND ALWAYS ON HIS PRINTING. SENDING US HIS BEST WORK COPIES. HE WAS ALWAYS PROUD OF HIS WORK EVEN THE EXPERIMENTS. OTHER PEOPLE WOULD WORK IN THE BRIGHT COLORS. JON WORKED IN THE DARK COLORS BECAUSE AS HE SAID THEY WERE CHEAPER. HIS WORK APPEARED IN SEVERAL SHOWS AND HE WORKED WITH SEVERAL ARTISTS FOR MANY YEARS. HE LOVED HIS FAMILY AND ALL HIS NIECES AND NEPHEWS AND GRANDCHILDREN AS THEY ALL LOVE HIM. THEY ARE ONLY SAD THAT THEIR CHILDREN WILL NOT GET TO KNOW THEIR GREAT UNCLE GOD.
HE WOULD OFTEN CALL ME AND WHEN I ANSWERED HE WOULD TELL ME TO HANG UP BECAUSE HE WOULD RATHER LEAVE ME A MESSAGE, THE ANSWERING MACHINE WAS MORE FUN TO TALK TO.
HIS BROTHER’S NICK AND TIM WILL SADLY MISS HIS HUMOR AND WIT, HIS SMILE AND HIS PRESENCE. WE KNOW HE IS WITH DAD MOM AND VERY PROUD OF THE BEAUTY HE WAS ABLE TO GIVE US WITH HIS TALENTS AND PERSONALITY.
I MISS YOU BROTHER, TIM
Rosamond Robbert
July 26th 2010
I was deeply saddened to learn of Jonathan's tragic death. My husband Paul was his colleague and friend. They were both ardent lithographers and many were the hours that I spent listening to them sharing technical knowledge about print making and presses. Jonathan and Paul exchanged presses abour fifteen years ago Paul taking the less labor intensive equipment and Jon preferring the older model. We also enjoyed his amazing collection of prints.
Many of these conversations took place in the Panera Bread Company in Kalamazoo. We never arranged ahead of time to meet but so often we would arrive and there was Jonathan. Immediately the conversation would veer toward art, lithography, artists and techniques. Jonathan however was always gracious to me and would steer the final conversations toward politics and the state of the Irish Republic.
I was always in awe of Jonathan's amazing ability to deal with his respiratory problems with grace and indeed good humor.
My deepest sympathty to the family. We have lost a dear friend.
Denise Duquette
July 26th 2010
Jon was always a great person to talk to when we sat at the bar at Aries Cafe. I can remember many long talks and he was a great inspiration to our daughter Alison, who is an artist as well. He encouraged her to be herself and master her photography and painting. He talked alot about Vanessa as well and was always eager to visit her and the grandchildren. Although we haven't seen him in quite a while, he is one of those people we will never forget.
Jackie Ruttinger
July 26th 2010
I remember Jon from his days teaching printmaking and foundations classes at WMU. I was Director of Exhibitions and our main contact was regarding shows he would be hanging of his student's work and the exhibition of his own art in the annual Faculty Show. Jon was always friendly and enjoyable to have around and very generous to his students.
Once when I was considering doing a print edition with him, he invited me to visited his print shop in Shelbyville and I was impressed with the breadth of the operation. Occasionally, I took guests to the restauant where he was a bartender, and he would charm them with his chatter.
Most of all I remember that his own art was but a glimpse of the depth and breadth of his talent.
I'm very sorry to hear of his passing, and my sympathy to his family and close friends.
Phil Vander Weg
July 25th 2010
I was shocked and saddened to learn of Jon's passing today. I enjoyed getting to know Jon in a variety of ways and roles while I was the School of Art Director at WMU.
Jon was a fine teacher that understood the craft of printmaking and all it required very well. He was able to convey that knowledge, and more importantly his passion for it, to many students over the years he taught there. He was kind, patient, and generous with his time for those students, not always easy to manage for a part-time teacher commuting up and down the highways. After I had taken a sabbatical Jon offered to work with me on a print project of my own at his studio. He was equally supportive of my efforts and I still cherish those outcomes. More than once Jon also helped us enjoy a fine meal even more from time to time in Planwell where he served as a bartender. In these last few years I would run into Jon ocassionally and always enjoyed cartching up on his activities and listening to his observations.
He will be greatly missed by us all.
Joyce & Dennis Nelson
July 25th 2010
We were stunned to see Jon's obit in this morning's paper. Joyce worked with Jon at Arie's Cafe for years, and we both enjoyed his company. He was also one of my favorite bartenders when he worked at Somer's Place. We were sorry to hear of his passing, and even though we hadn't seen him in a couple of years he has been in our thoughts.
With Deepest Condolences,
Dennis & Joyce Nelson
Tom Somers
August 9th 2010
The first time I met John was shortly after I ran an ad in the local newspaper looking for a bartender. John showed up on a Friday afternoon applying for the job. I asked him when he could start and he said how about tonight. John turned out to be not only the best bartender I ever knew but also a very good friend. Occasionally he would drag me to an art show in Grand Rapids where we stood around and drank tea out of very small cups as he excitedly showed me different pieces of art done by artists that he knew. We met for lunch a few times after I sold the bar. I regret that we didn't get together more. I will miss him very much.
Tom Somers
Alicia Kershaw
August 1st 2010
Jon frequently came into the library to use the computers. I always smiled when he came in. He would always brighten my day. I will miss him. We were blessed to have known him.
Ricki Foster
August 1st 2010
I met Jon when I was a student in the WMU art department in the late 1980's. Although I did not have him for a class, we became friends and often talked after class, or passing in the hall, or at the end of the day, and I always looked forward to seeing him. He teased me all the time, and we never failed to laugh alot together. I will always remember him that way, laughing, holding his ever-present coffee cup. What a nice person he was.
Jami Brooks
July 31st 2010
I worked at Carman Pharmacy and Soda Fountain when I met Jon. Wow! He so reminded me of my father. I remember makinf him a hor dog and he always asked for mustard, thus getting it in his mustache. I told him that just because I loved his mustache that I would start putting it on the bun instead of on top of the hot dog. He laughed!
We teased each other all the time and I so enjoyed his conversation!
I had run into Jon about three weeks ago at the Pharmacy and he was eating lunch. I no longer work at the pharmacy due to some health issues and I walked over to him and started a conversation and asked him how he was doing and he shut me down and said "no dear, how are you doing?" I proceeded to tell him a lot better and I also commented on how well his color was. I told him that I missed him and he gave me a hug.
When I learned of Jon's death I just cried as I am right now...I am so sorry for EVERYONE'S loss. What an awesome man this world will miss!
See you some day my friend!
Jami
Lee Ann Frame
July 29th 2010
Jon was my mentor and cohort in printmaking, most of all a dear friend. There will be a great void in my life now and at the same time my life is enriched beyond words for having met Jon. His humor made me smile, his intellect chanllenge me, and his dedication to art will forever inspire me.
I must share this story with you. On Thursday July 22, I was in NC for the birth of my grandson. That night Jon came to me in a dream. We sat and visited, he said, "everything will be fine and that he was leaving this world." Upon my return I drove to Shelbyville on Wednesday to visit Jon, I learned of his tragic death from his neighbor across the street.
I will miss Jonathan. My prayers for all of us especially his daughter and family.
Lee Ann
Laura Sampsel
July 28th 2010
I have been fortunate to know Jon within the last couple of years. He knew my interest in art and discussed my ideas. He encouraged me. He truely was a teacher at heart! I certainly will miss him, his humor, & sharing a laugh. I thought he was pulling my leg about the whole "Uncle God" bit, but I get it now.
Thanks Jon
Michael Dunn
July 28th 2010
Jon was a real printer. Printers have a desire to achieve perfection and the wisdom to know that one can only get really close. Jon would be able to achieve that over edition after edition and still maintain his warmth and his sense of humor. We debated many times over the need for making multiple prints and what constituted perfection, but we never waivered in our passion for printmaking. He shared that passion with everyone that he touched and was a generous teacher. Jon also shared his passion for life, his sense of humor and his thoughtful observations with his friends. I will miss that most of all.
Pat Rowe-Pennington
July 27th 2010
Jon.....such a kind, gentle soul. I am another of those who remember his great conversations & humor at the bar at Arie's Cafe. I am fortunate enough to have had him do some framing for me which still hangs in my home. He had a wonderful eye & enormous talent as well as a wisdom about life that helped me along the way.
I will miss that trademark mustache & his infectious laugh.
My sympathies to his family,
Pat
Carolyn Clemens Harvey
July 27th 2010
My earliest memory of my Uncle Jon was 1969. I remember him leaning against a tree in our front yard on a beautiful day on Bulah Avenue( I must have been 3). Uncle Jon was teaching me that the word for the tree was car and the word for car was tree. He was funny like that. I remember looking at him with his long hair and beard (woodstock era) and thinking that he looked an aweful lot like Jesus. He was my God Father as well, and at 3 this all confused me. He told me to just call him Uncle God, so I did. We all did from then on.
I will miss his humor and the way he really focused on you when you spoke with him.
I imagine that Grandma, Grandpa and Joyce are glad to see him-- now they have a foursome for Bridge.
Rest in peace Uncle God
I will think of you often.
Carolyn
DIANE CLEMENS
July 27th 2010
MY HEART IS HURTING, I WILL MISS A VERY SPECIAL BROTHER IN LAW. JON SHOWED SO MUCH LOVE FOR ME, MY CHILDREN AND EXSPECIALLY MY GRANDSON COREY. COREY WAS JUST IN AWE OF UNCLE JON'S ART WORK. JON GAVE HIM ENCOURAGEMENT IN BOTH ART AND MUSIC. I WAS BLESSED WITH SOME VERY PRIVATE TALKS AND TIMES WITH JON. HE ALWAYS SAID WHEN HE CALLED, HEY THIS IS YOUR "HANDSOME BROTHER!" I WILL MISS HIS HUMOR!! GOD HAS TAKEN A VERY SPECIAL MAN. HEAVEN WILL NEVER BE THE SAME.
LOVE YOU JON-DIANE
July 27th 2010
JOHNATHON BENTON CLEMENS
BORN JULY 30, 1947 DIED JULY 22, 2010
JON WAS BORN IN ST. ELIZABETH HOSPITAL DAYTON, OHIO. BUT COULD NOT LEAVE RIGHT AWAY DUE TO A PROBLEM WITH HIS STOMACH. HE WEIGHTED 6 LBS. AT BIRTH AND DROPPED TO 3 LBS. AFTER HIS SURGERY. DAD SAID HE COULD FIT JON IN THE PALM OF HIS HAND. HE STRUGGLED, MOM SAID JUST TO GET HERE. HE WAS ALWAYS SMALL AND WAS PICKED ON BY HIS BROTHERS BUT WAS ALWAYS LOVED. HE DID ALL THE THINGS YOUNG BOYS DID AND HAVING FOUR BROTHERS IT WAS NEVER HARD TO HAVE IDEAS FOR THINGS TO GET IN TROUBLE. HE PLAYED PEE WEE FOOTBALL IN 3RD GRADE AND BROKE HIS LEG AND WAS IN A HOSPITAL BED FOR 6 MONTHS. HE ATTENDED HOLY ANGLES GRADE SCHOOL, OAKWOOD HIGH SCHOOL, THE DAYTON ART INSTITUTE AND THE UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONIA AT TEMPE WHERE HE RECEIVED HIS MASTERS DEGREE. HE WORKED SEVERAL SUMMERS AT THE FAMILY PLUMBING BUSINESS AND WOULD COME OVER TO MY HOUSE AND HAVE FUN CONFOUNDING AND QUIZING MY KIDS ABOUT LIFE AND GIVING HIS OPINIONS ON EVERYTHING. THE KIDS THOUGHT HE WAS MAGICAL AND MARVELOUS AND LOVINGLY REFFERED TO HIM AS UNCLE GOD, BECAUSE HE TALKED WITH THEM NOT TO THEM.
JON MOVED TO MICHIGAN AND WORKED AS A MASTER PRINTER FOR SEVERAL YEARS AND THEN MOVED TO SHELBYVILLE IN WITH HIS WIFE ROSE AND DAUGHTER VANESSA. JON TENDED BAR, SOLD CARS, WORKED IN A LUMBER YARD AND ALWAYS ON HIS PRINTING. SENDING US HIS BEST WORK COPIES. HE WAS ALWAYS PROUD OF HIS WORK EVEN THE EXPERIMENTS. OTHER PEOPLE WOULD WORK IN THE BRIGHT COLORS. JON WORKED IN THE DARK COLORS BECAUSE AS HE SAID THEY WERE CHEAPER. HIS WORK APPEARED IN SEVERAL SHOWS AND HE WORKED WITH SEVERAL ARTISTS FOR MANY YEARS. HE LOVED HIS FAMILY AND ALL HIS NIECES AND NEPHEWS AND GRANDCHILDREN AS THEY ALL LOVE HIM. THEY ARE ONLY SAD THAT THEIR CHILDREN WILL NOT GET TO KNOW THEIR GREAT UNCLE GOD.
HE WOULD OFTEN CALL ME AND WHEN I ANSWERED HE WOULD TELL ME TO HANG UP BECAUSE HE WOULD RATHER LEAVE ME A MESSAGE, THE ANSWERING MACHINE WAS MORE FUN TO TALK TO.
HIS BROTHER’S NICK AND TIM WILL SADLY MISS HIS HUMOR AND WIT, HIS SMILE AND HIS PRESENCE. WE KNOW HE IS WITH DAD MOM AND VERY PROUD OF THE BEAUTY HE WAS ABLE TO GIVE US WITH HIS TALENTS AND PERSONALITY.
I MISS YOU BROTHER, TIM
Rosamond Robbert
July 26th 2010
I was deeply saddened to learn of Jonathan's tragic death. My husband Paul was his colleague and friend. They were both ardent lithographers and many were the hours that I spent listening to them sharing technical knowledge about print making and presses. Jonathan and Paul exchanged presses abour fifteen years ago Paul taking the less labor intensive equipment and Jon preferring the older model. We also enjoyed his amazing collection of prints.
Many of these conversations took place in the Panera Bread Company in Kalamazoo. We never arranged ahead of time to meet but so often we would arrive and there was Jonathan. Immediately the conversation would veer toward art, lithography, artists and techniques. Jonathan however was always gracious to me and would steer the final conversations toward politics and the state of the Irish Republic.
I was always in awe of Jonathan's amazing ability to deal with his respiratory problems with grace and indeed good humor.
My deepest sympathty to the family. We have lost a dear friend.
Denise Duquette
July 26th 2010
Jon was always a great person to talk to when we sat at the bar at Aries Cafe. I can remember many long talks and he was a great inspiration to our daughter Alison, who is an artist as well. He encouraged her to be herself and master her photography and painting. He talked alot about Vanessa as well and was always eager to visit her and the grandchildren. Although we haven't seen him in quite a while, he is one of those people we will never forget.
Jackie Ruttinger
July 26th 2010
I remember Jon from his days teaching printmaking and foundations classes at WMU. I was Director of Exhibitions and our main contact was regarding shows he would be hanging of his student's work and the exhibition of his own art in the annual Faculty Show. Jon was always friendly and enjoyable to have around and very generous to his students.
Once when I was considering doing a print edition with him, he invited me to visited his print shop in Shelbyville and I was impressed with the breadth of the operation. Occasionally, I took guests to the restauant where he was a bartender, and he would charm them with his chatter.
Most of all I remember that his own art was but a glimpse of the depth and breadth of his talent.
I'm very sorry to hear of his passing, and my sympathy to his family and close friends.
Phil Vander Weg
July 25th 2010
I was shocked and saddened to learn of Jon's passing today. I enjoyed getting to know Jon in a variety of ways and roles while I was the School of Art Director at WMU.
Jon was a fine teacher that understood the craft of printmaking and all it required very well. He was able to convey that knowledge, and more importantly his passion for it, to many students over the years he taught there. He was kind, patient, and generous with his time for those students, not always easy to manage for a part-time teacher commuting up and down the highways. After I had taken a sabbatical Jon offered to work with me on a print project of my own at his studio. He was equally supportive of my efforts and I still cherish those outcomes. More than once Jon also helped us enjoy a fine meal even more from time to time in Planwell where he served as a bartender. In these last few years I would run into Jon ocassionally and always enjoyed cartching up on his activities and listening to his observations.
He will be greatly missed by us all.
Joyce & Dennis Nelson
July 25th 2010
We were stunned to see Jon's obit in this morning's paper. Joyce worked with Jon at Arie's Cafe for years, and we both enjoyed his company. He was also one of my favorite bartenders when he worked at Somer's Place. We were sorry to hear of his passing, and even though we hadn't seen him in a couple of years he has been in our thoughts.
With Deepest Condolences,
Dennis & Joyce Nelson
