Funeral Details

Jonathan Mark Friedman

October 17, 1950 - June 26, 2025

SERVICE INFORMATION

Date and Time

Monday, June 30, 2025 at 10:00 AM

Service

Chicago Jewish Funerals
Skokie Chapel
8851 Skokie Boulevard
Skokie, Illinois 60077
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Clergy

Cantor Howard Friedland
Jewish Reconstructionist Congregation

Interment

Memorial Park Cemetery
9900 Gross Point Road
Skokie, Illinois 60076
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Shiva

Dan and Ronna Friedman Residence
2217 Dodge Avenue
Evanston, Illinois 60201
847.612.3706
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Monday following the interment until 8PM and Tuesday from 5PM-8PM.

Park on the street only

Memorial Contributions

The Art Center Highland Park
1957 Sheridan Road
Highland Park, Illinois 60035
www.theartcenterhp.org




OBITUARY

Jonathan Mark Friedman

Adored son of z”l Harding and Dorie Friedman. Beloved husband of Anne Shimojima. Loving brother of Daniel (Ronna) Friedman, Scott (Gigi) Friedman and Josh (Jackie) Friedman. Proud uncle of Matthew (Audrey) Friedman, Jillian and Nicole Friedman. Cherished great uncle of Grace and Cooper Friedman.

Jonathan was a sweet, kind, and generous soul. He read voraciously and loved his Cubs and Bears. Jonathan was a gifted photographer and during Covid mastered the art of photographing models across the world from his living room. Jonathan always said that he wanted people to come to his service dressed comfortably but no Cardinals or Packers clothes, please. Go Cubs!

Service Monday, June 30, 2025, 10 AM at Chicago Jewish Funerals, 8851 Skokie Blvd (at Niles Center Road), Skokie. Interment Memorial Park Cemetery, Skokie. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in his memory to The Art Center Highland Park, 1957 Sheridan Road, Highland Park, IL 60035, theartcenterhp.org. To attend the funeral livestream, please visit our website. Arrangements by Chicago Jewish Funerals - Skokie Chapel, 847.229.8822, www.cjfinfo.com


GUEST BOOK

We encourage you to share your personal condolences and stories of Jonathan Mark Friedman below and we will share them with the family.
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Jonathan was a kind, gentle man whose work was regularly featured in the journal, East on Central, of which I was the editor for many years. His photographs were beautifully composed and often took a humorous turn. They always brought a smile to my face. He gave so much to our community and we will miss him greatly.

ינוח בשׁלום על משׁקבו

Judith Kaufman
June 27, 2025
Jonathan was a dear friend of 20 years , a sweet gentle man, a talented photographer and I will miss him very much. After he retired from monitoring the Friday morning figure study group at The Art Center in Highland Park, we would meet often for lunch. We’d discuss books, movies, tv shows and politics at those lunches. When it came to politics we might have had our differences but our discussions always ended in laughs and good friendship.
He’d text me his latest portrait photos which were exquisite and suggested I use them for paintings. He had a great eye for abstract beauty. The art world will miss him as will his family and friends.
He kept his friendships close and always kept in touch and I will always regret cancelling our last lunch date. He was in my thoughts a couple of weeks ago to set up another lunch meeting but I put it off and I’ll always regret that.
Rest in peace dear Jonathan, I will always remember you.

Paulette Colo
June 28, 2025
Jonathan was my next door neighbor. I will always remember him as being warm friendly and willing to lend a hand. I remember when we first moved in I was up on the ladder cleaning the gutters and he came over to introduce himself and offered to help. That is the kind of generous Soul that he was and is. He will be missed.

Michael Mento
June 28, 2025
Sending my condolences so very very sorry for your loss. Jonathan was a gentle and giving man that I was honored to have known and he was an inspiration for being Health aware. I'm grateful for knowing him being his next door neighbor and seeing him in the front yard picking dandelions and going on his daily walks. Sincerely from the heart your next door neighbors Rhonda and Danielle.

Rhonda Eason
June 28, 2025
I had the joy of working with Jonathan at the library for 5 years. When I moved back to Highland Park after a 20-year absence, it was Jonathan who reached out to me to about joining a group of former library staffers who meet for lunch. He was the center of the wheel for this group.. I’ll always remember his humor, graciousness, kindness and movie and book recommendations. He is gone too soon. May his memory be a blessing.

Susan Dennison

Susan Dennison
June 28, 2025
Though we can never get Jonathan back again in this life, I believe many of us will never lose the gift of his presence, gentleness, kindness, and love in our lives. He is with me now more than ever, in my memories and thoughts. He was a steadfast friend.
I grieve for his loss for all his family, and all his loved ones. There was never a dearer heart or a kinder soul.
Meeting Jonathan changed my life for the better permanently. He opened the door to endless friendships, laughter, art classes, love, and lightness of being.
Love you forever, dearest heart Jonathan. The gift that lasts a lifetime. He was living his dream with his dear wife Anne, as a man of peace and love.

Kathy Trusdell
June 28, 2025
Jon was one of the best. He collected people like kids collect Pokémon cards and he will be missed by so many. I was proud to be considered among his friends. My sincerest condolences to Anne and the rest of the family. May his memory be a blessing.

Helene Bjorseth
June 28, 2025
Jon was one of the best. He collected people like kids collect Pokémon cards and he will be missed by so many. He kept all of us former and current library workers connected during Covid and beyond. I was proud to be considered among his friends. My sincerest condolences to Anne and the rest of the family. May his memory be a blessing.

Helene Bjorseth
June 28, 2025
We are heartily sorry for your loss. Jonathan was a sweet, kind, caring, and friendly man. We always enjoyed talking with him when we were out walking. I used to look for him when I was out walking in the morning so I could say, "Hello." I would see him starting his 7 mile walk almost every day. We enjoyed talking to Jonathan and Ann when they were walking, too. He was an interesting person. He will be greatly missed. He was a blessing.

Darlene & Bob Schofield
June 29, 2025
I am one of those who met Jonathan from our respective living rooms during Covid. Over the course of several years, we collaborated on our shared passion for photography and the human form, growing to know each other well, albeit from a distance. We spoke about politics, his experiences living in Europe, the live figure classes he hosted, and so much more. Jonathan had an extraordinary eye for composition. I am grateful for the beautiful images he created, which remain as a cherished memory of him. My deepest condolences to his loved ones during this brutally shocking and difficult time.

Warm regards,
Zoi

Zoi Morgan
June 30, 2025
Long ago I found this Eskimo legend and find it comforting in times of loss. I hope your family does too.
I am very sorry for your loss and the grief you all are feeling. Thank you for providing the streaming format
for us who were unable to attend in person. The service was beautiful. The Eulogies so heartfelt.
Here is the legend: " Perhaps, they are not the stars, but rather openings in heaven, where the love of our lost ones pours through and shines down
upon us, to let us know they are happy."
I'm sure Jonathan's star is glowing brightly.
Sincerely,
Gail Permenter
Wauconda

Gail Permenter
June 30, 2025
Anne,

Dave and I are holding you in our hearts. Sending you love.

Donna Klibanow
June 30, 2025
Growing up, the Friedmans, the Goldmans, and the Eppsteins were like a clan -- with the families sharing camping trips, barbeques, and endless days at the Carey Ave. beach. Those childhood friendships form a strong foundation that never dies. So that while I did not spend time with Jon as an adult, I feel as if I lost a member of my extended family. I know my parents, Hal & Ruth, were quite fond of Jon and Anne and maintained a friendship over the decades. Hearing Dan, Scott, and Josh speak so beautifully and lovingly about their older brother painted a fuller and wonderful picture of this special man. My heart is with Anne and with each of you. May his memory be a blessing.

Fran Goldman
June 30, 2025
So very sorry for your loss. I have very fond memories traveling with Jon and Charlie on our 1972 summer European adventure. Hard to believe that was over 50 years ago. Jon was a great travel companion and had such a great heart! Thank you for sharing your life, Jon, so many years ago, as that particular time in my life will never be forgotten!

Don Chookaszian
June 30, 2025
I'm so sorry about this, Anne.

Ralph Chadis
July 9, 2025