Memorial Service Held Friday for Wheaton-Warrenville South Grad Who Died From ALS

Photo credit: Lifestory.net

A memorial service and open house will be held this Friday in Wheaton for a Wheaton-Warrenville South High School graduate and multi-sport athlete who died last week following his battle with ALS.

Brian Schurstein, 34, died on May 19 in Kalamazoo, Mich. A memorial service and open house will be held from 1 to 8 p.m. on Friday at Williams Family Funeral Home, 430 E. Roosevelt Road in Wheaton. A tribute to Brian will be held at 4 p.m. at the funeral home.

Brian was born on Sept. 18, 1980, at Central DuPage Hospital in Winfield to parents, Ray and Wendy Schnurstein, according to his obituary.

Schurstein graduated from Wheaton-Warrenville High School in 1999 after playing on two state championship football teams and also on the baseball and wrestling teams, according to the Daily Herald.

He went on to be a four-year starting pitcher at Millikin University and a two time All-Conference pitcher, according to his obituary.

Brian earned his Bachelor of Science in Finance from Millikin University and Masters in Business from Western Michigan University. He started his career at LaSalle Bank in Wheaton before moving to Michigan and taking a job with Stryker, according to his obituary.

He was married to his college sweetheart, Lindsey, in 2005, and the two had a 6-year-old daughter, Kylie.

Brian was diagnosed with ALS at the age of 29.

“He made the most of every day,” his father, Ray Schnurstein, told the Daily Herald. “He continued to work and provide for his family. There wasn’t any ‘give up’ in his vocabulary.”

Brian’s personality is described in his obituary:

All who knew Brian would agree that he was truly extraordinary. He loved life, and making others laugh was one of his greatest gifts. Brian was funny without even realizing it, and he loved to joke around with all who were near. He was smart, had an amazing memory, and was detail oriented. Brian was level headed and strong in his convictions, which made him such a great leader. Although he was a quiet at times, he was contemplative, and he was not one to sit around and wait for life to happen - he went after it.

Although he is described as a peacemaker, a wise leader, and a successful athlete, artist, and member of his community, it was Brian Schnurstein’s roles as a husband and father that will be his lasting legacy. His strength was unwavering, and his faith was an inspiration to everyone he met. Brian will be deeply missed, but his family and friends find comfort in knowing that he is enjoying perfect peace in his eternal home.

Schnurstein experienced his public declaration of baptism on May 8, 2015.

Read more in Brian’s obituary and on the Daily Herald website.