On Friday, April 21, 2023, Jonathan Barlow Olschewski was called home at the age of 70. The world has lost a great son, father, brother, grandfather, leader and friend.
Jonathan was born in Salt Lake City, Utah on March 30, 1953, to Afton and Herbert Olschewski. He was the one of eight siblings, whom he loved very dearly and cherished throughout his life. Jon graduated from South High School in 1971. After graduating he worked at his family business, Intermountain Stone and Marble where he accumulated skills and passion for construction. He continued his profession throughout his life as a carpenter and was a master craftsman. He worked on many beautiful homes and projects. With his endless work ethic and meticulous eye for detail, he would provide a beautiful craft that everyone appreciated. He ultimately retired in 2019 but continued his craft by graciously helping others.
After growing up in Salt Lake City, Jon followed his brother Steven to Moab, Utah where they purchased property in Spanish Valley. Steven and Jon continued to live and raise their families on the farm, sharing their passion for preserving their land through farming and gardening.
In 1984 Jon married Shelly Hefner and gained a beautiful stepdaughter, Aubrey. During their marriage they chose to move back to Salt Lake City. In 1991, they welcomed their first son Ashton. After 5 years of living in Salt Lake they made their way back to Moab and, in 1994, welcomed their second son Huston. Jon and Shelly later divorced but continued to stay close in each other’s lives.
You always cherished time with Jon, he could light up a room as soon as he walked in the door. He loved to talk to anybody he encountered and simply listen to their story or what was going in their life. Anyone who encountered Jon will always bring up his loving personality and his witty humor. If you needed a warming laugh, he would always do that, and you would walk away still laughing. Jon loved spending time with his family and two sons, whether it was on the farm or some daily adventure for the day. He cherished his friends dearly and loved being able to meet up for their daily coffee at Dave’s Corner Market. Within the last year, he was able to welcome his first granddaughter, Tomi Sue.
Jonathan is survived by his children: Ashton (Brinli) Olschewski, Huston Olschewski, and Aubrey Davis. Granddaughter: Tomi Olschewski. Siblings: Eileen Naylor, Steven Olschewski, David Olschewski, Dianne (John) Timpson, Teressa Millsap and Ianthius (Debbie) Olschewski and many other extended family members.
Jon is preceded in death by his parents Afton and Herbert Olschewski, Brother Robert Olschewski, and brothers-in-law Henry Naylor and Norman Millsap.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, May 5th at the Larkin Mortuary – Riverton, 3688 West 12600 South in Riverton, Utah. A viewing will be held Thursday evening from 6-8 p.m. and Friday prior to services beginning at 10 a.m. at the funeral home. Burial will be in the Elysian Burial Gardens immediately following the services.
Funeral services will be streamed via Zoom for those wishing to attend virtually. You must have a personal Zoom account. To watch the services, please click the "Watch Services" link above.
To all family ,
I'm sorry to hear of Jon's passing,
To be absent in the body is to be present with the lord
He will be missed,
I think back of when shelley and Jon were in slc, I was able to spend a little time with them and was the first time I really got to know Jon
Good times
Till we meet again !
Love kevin
The little town of Moab will not be the same. He was so proud of his boys and his little Tomi. Not long ago I saw Jon in the store. He was quick to pull up pictures on his phone, to show off his grand daughter. My heart goes out to the boys, Brynli and Tomi. To Aubry and extended family as well. We love you and that love will forever be etched on our hearts
I'm so sorry for your lost 😢😢🙏🙏
What a friend we've had in Jon ! He toiled right along with Don to get our home started, and we always enjoyed his presence, which always added the element of humor. He was always tactful and so interesting with sharing his knowledge of current events. He had a thirst for knowledge and sharing it. I marveled at the antiques he would refinish and refurbish to later sell. Jon was so gifted in his trade of tile setting, and so exacting, too. He was so kind and caring to our two children, and they always thought of him as an uncle type figure in their lives. We respected Jon, and he respected us. We couldn't ask for a better friend, and he seemed like family to us. We will miss Jon greatly and cherish our memories of him always.
For me, South High, without Jonathan, would have been completely different. Jonathan was a trend setter of sorts. He influenced me to wear Levi Jeans cut up the sides about an inch and a half, then hemmed so the cut didn’t fray. This allowed the bottom of the Jean to sit nicely on top of highly spit shined Penfield, Florsheim shoes. Jonathan was fun to be with. It seemed that every friend supported me in his or her unique way. Jonathan was one of a kind. God bless his wife, kids, and extended family to feel the comfort of the Savior during this time.
My former husband, Michael Goeckeritz, told many stories about his friendship with Jon growing up in his teenage years. He would tell the children about ditching his high school graduation party to go hang out with Jon. Jon seemed like a kind-hearted, fun person to be around. I am sure Jon and Mike are having a good time now catching up and discussing their life experiences.
Condolences to the family. You are in our prayers.