"My deepest condolences to your family. I am saddened that he succumbed to his addiction. I am heartened he found happiness with his fiancee and his daughter. He was a one-of-a kind soul who found the silver lining in any dark cloud. It seems like yesterday when I got to coach Jeremy in a season that was too short. I regret not being able to spend more time with him, as he moved shortly after the season ended. He made a positive impact on his teammates and his coaches. Most sincerely, Kevin Attaway"
In loving memory of
Jeremy Andrew Richard Likwarz
April 8, 1992 - May 16, 2018
Madison - Jeremy Andrew Richard Likwarz, 26 of Madison, passed away Wednesday, May 16, 2018 from an accidental heroin overdose. He was born on April 8, 1992, in Madison, the son of Andy Likwarz and Patti Likwarz. He graduated from Marshall High School.
Jeremy had the most amazing smile, a loving heart and always tried to make others happy even though he struggled with happiness himself. He loved to play sports, football, basketball and darts. His passion of the outdoors included hiking, fishing and hunting. He worked as an auto mechanic over the past few years and was excited to complete his degree at Madison College but unfortunately still had two classes to go. He also loved construction which he learned to flip houses with his father, Andy. Jeremy adored his mother, Patti, they were exceptionally close. Jeremy loved children. He had a close bond with his sister, Arielle and he was so proud to be an uncle to his niece, Esther. She was one of the highlights of his life. He had an amazing love for his fiancé, Mandy and son Jackson. He considered Jackson his own which anyone could see when they were together. They were planning a future together cut way too short. They meant the world to him.
Jeremy wasn't the type of person to get close to people but once he did you had someone who would stand beside you for life. He never got to see how many people truly cared about him and loved him deeply. He had struggled with mental illness most of his life and with his love of sports came many concussions which led to pain killer addiction and then heroin.
Jeremy was blessed with many things and had such a bright future. Many of you did not know of our journey filled with so much angst and fear then hope and celebration over his successes. He suffered from addiction on and off for 8 years and even though he was in recovery he was unable to win the battle, a battle that lasts a lifetime. The craving that comes from true addiction was more than he could overcome. Even through his own struggles though, he was able to help many others who struggled with life and addictions.
Heroin addiction carries an unbearable amount of pain, misunderstanding, loneliness and shame. An addict never wants to be an addict. This was so true for Jeremy. He fought this battle with everything he had. He tried his best to take the steps needed to change the course of his life. While his passing is shocking to some, family members who have someone they love as an addict understand. We lived with the constant fear of this day, of getting the call. But it does not make his death any more bearable or our struggles with grief any less. When we got the call it was such a shock, he was doing so well. He had been in treatment and they said they had seen such progress and improvement things were going great. His fiancé said things were going perfect. Our son's addiction wasn't something that we talked about much but now we will not be silent any more. The stigma with Heroin addiction needs to be lifted. So many people are affected by this devil's drug and the more that people talk about it the more things will change. We are going to continue to tell Jeremy's story. Some of it may be familiar because surprisingly this addiction happens to ordinary people every day.
As parents the dreams you once had for your child of addiction, the hope you grasp onto change. You hope that they will stay sober, stay healthy, be successful and finally find peace. We celebrated many dreams with Jeremy especially all of his successes. He is finally at peace no longer in pain and up in heaven with his Grandma Norma who he had the strongest bond of all with and he must be overjoyed to see Grandpa Rick who he missed terribly.
Jeremy is survived by his parents, Patti Likwarz; Andy (Lisa) Likwarz, his sister Arielle Likwarz, niece Esther Mankowski, fiancé Mandy Hollis, step-son Jackson (Little Buddy), Grandpa Donald Ewing, Grandma Janet Likwarz, Uncle Dan Ohm, Aunt Suzanne (Don) Samuelsen, Aunt Julie (Brent) Denu, Aunt Christin (Chris) Gibbons, Cousins; John (Kaitlin) Luoma, Cassie (Craig) Begalle, Camden Ohm (Jess), Season (Joe) Gurley, Padric Ohm and numerous other relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by Grandpa Richard Likwarz and Grandma Norma Ewing.
A service to celebrate Jeremy's life will be held at CRESS FUNERAL HOME, 1310 Emerald Terrace, Sun Prairie on Saturday, June 2, 2018 at 11:00 am. A visitation will be held at the funeral home on Saturday, June 2nd, 2018 from 9:00 am to 11:00 am.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in memory of Jeremy to the family to be put towards a memorial fund that is being established to support the assistance of fighting the addiction of heroin and mental illness. The stigma, embarrassment, shame and denial of heroin addiction must be overcome. #SpeakupforJeremy Reach out to someone if you know they are struggling and to all of you who are struggling, there are people who love you, unconditionally with all they have no matter what you have done. All you have to do is ask for help.
Cress Funeral & Cremation Service
1310 Emerald Terrace, Sun Prairie
608-837-9054
Tributes
"I am so very sorry for your loss. I worked with Jeremy years ago and remember his vivid spirit. I applaud your candidness in recounting his battle with addiction and depression. I, too, suffer from depression and know just how hard it is to even get out of bed some days. Nothing we say can help your hearts right now, but just know that there are many people out there who are sending love and support your way."
"I am so sorry, for your family's loss of Jeremy, to the horrible disease of opiate addiction. I did not know Jeremy, or your family, but your touching obituary sure pulled on my heartstrings. My daughter is Jeremy's age and is currently in recovery from heroin addiction, while working through her mental health issues. The openness, of your heartfelt obituary, means a lot to those of us who have walked in those shoes. I'm sure it will strike a chord with someone, somewhere, and help them get through their struggles. I will be keeping your family in my thoughts and prayers, as you find peace with what has unfolded. "
"More tears attributable to this drug; applaud your openness regarding the circumstances. It is a battle that once addicted has to be fought every day and it is the hardest thing to do. I did not know Jeremy but clearly he was so loved and cherished. I know he will be missed terribly. "
"So sorry for your loss. I did not know your son or your family but I am way too familiar with this wretched disease. Thanks for the obit and Jeremy's soul and your family are in my prayers. Thx~John"
"I am so sorry for your loss and Jeremy's battle with depression and drugs. My son has been battling drug addiction for 20 years.. My heart breaks for all of you..Chris"
"Just reading on a support site and I am so sorry for the loss of your loving son. Sending thoughts, prayers, hugs, peace and my love to you and your family. My son is presently in recovery and I hold on to hope for him and all who suffer from the disease of addiction. Thank you for sharing the story of his life. ??"
"My heart is heavy today. I was in IOP with Jeremy as I too struggled with addiction. (I am glad to say I am 8 months sober and feeling great!) Jeremy was a quite man, but when he spoke, his words were thought out, intelligent, but most of all, heard! My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family as he only spoke with highest regards of you."
"To the Family of Jeremy, My son, Terrell played football with Jeremy. He informed us of his passing. I am so very sorry for your loss. I cried when I read the obituary. Thank-you for being so open with sharing Jeremy's struggles with mental health and addition. I am sure you have helped others out there by telling his story. My heart goes out to your family. I will pray for all of you. C Drewek"
"Read this from someone that shared in TAMS. I,in turn, shared on my account. I feel strongly about lifting the stigma of mental illness and addiction. I have three sons and their dad that are addicted to drugs. I am so very sorry for the loss of your son and all he had left to do in this life. So heartbreaking. If you begin a list of people to follow your story and efforts please include me. cgbradford1207@gmail.com"
"Thanks for your openness and honesty in your son?s obituary. We lost our son 3 years ago from cocaine abuse and horrible bi-polar depression. The pain is real. Seek support. The group Compassionate Friends is an organization for parents, grandparents and siblings who have lost a child. Don Holmen"
"Thank you for sharing this heart-felt and sad story to which many of us can relate. While we do not know your family we know the sorrow that is caused by addiction. We will be praying for you and may you find comfort in the fact that Jeremy is no longer struggling and is at peace."
"Like others who have commented, I do not know Jeremy or your family. However, after reading his obit I felt I wanted to reach out to you to offer my sincere sympathy for this tragic loss. One of my husband's nieces and her husband are both addicts. The husband lost his battle a couple of weeks ago at age 54. You are correct when you say it is a life long battle. Thank you for the courage to address this problem so openly. May your memories of the good times bring comfort to you and may knowing he is now free of his addiction bring you peace. "
"I promise to continue fighting this disease in honor of your beautiful angel and all of the other loved ones who have lost this battle. Sending you prayers of comfort and love. Please reach out if there is anything I can do for you. "
"Your candidness in this beautifully written obituary is certain to help someone, somewhere. May God hold you all in his arms, surrounding you with love, strength, and peace. "
"As a grandmother of addict we are connected even though I do not know you personally. I am so very sorry. I am sharing to ask my friends to donate to this very important cause. Prayers and Condolences. May the Lord bring you comfort. "
"While I didn't know Jeremy, I read his story with great interest and empathy. Your courage in telling this story is admirable. You have, I am sure, helped many already through your passionate words. Jeremy will not be forgotten. As an educator, I am familiar with the pain of addiction and you have my sympathy. "
"I did not know Jeremy. I read his obituary in the Wisconsin State Journal. I'm so sorry for your lost, and I applaud your courage in recounting his struggle with addiction.
Anne Urbanski, long-time Madison resident recently retired to Santa Fe, NM"
"Thoughts and prayers from a counselor in St. Louis. ??"
"I am so very sorry for your tragic loss. Such a wonderful young man. May God Bless him, and your family. You are in my prayers"
"I am so sorry for your loss. Your story is identical to my sons story Michael who also became addicted after a sports injury. Thank you for sharing your story. We need to stop hiding this epidemic praying for your family "
"Patti, I am so sorry for your loss! We worked together in Mazo before Jeremy was born and we friends after he was born. I have so many fond memories of him and I can only imagine what you are going tnrough but I am praying for you and your family."
"I am so sorry for your unbearable loss. You do not know me nor do I know your son however I share your pain of loving a child who is an addict. I thank you for putting into such beautiful words how those of us who love an addict feel. Also the pain of knowing that so many friends and family do not understand addiction and are judgmental. We know they don?t understand and forgive them but it hurts nonetheless. What a wonderful son you had and I?m so sorry he had this horrible disease that so many struggle with. My daughter is an addict and I am grieving her while she is still alive. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers!?"
"My thoughts and prayers go out to all of his family and friends My thanks goes out to his parents for being open and honest in his struggles and yours through his terrible disease . I struggle from mental illness dailyand find it inspirational that their are people who aren?t afraid to break the stigma. Thanks Lil Hlinovsky"
"I did not know Jeremy, but in reading his obituary, which was brilliantly written, it reminded me of my nephew who passed away at the age of 30. Thank you for such honesty, I could feel the love and the pain you all went through, in trying to beat this addiciton. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family."
"Sending comfort in your loss, prayers for a peaceful heart, gratitude for your honesty and eloquence as you remember your son. You are in my prayers. "