Another year has passed by & I miss you more than ever my beautiful Zander. Your son Brysen is keeping you alive in all our lives. He is growing in your image. Thank you for giving us your son. Brysen's family is reminding him always what a great daddy he has in heaven. God bless you until we meet again, you are always in my thoughts and prayers

Some days it seems like just yesterday we were talking. Other days it seems like a lifetime ago….

You are so very loved. And never forgotten❤️

"It's hard to turn the page when you know someone won't be in the next chapter, but the story must go on" Author unknown

The chapters will continue and your story will live on, until we meet again in Heaven.  Remembering you today Zander

Happy Heavenly Birthday Zander! We all miss you and love you. 

Happy birthday sweet Zander! I miss you everyday, but know you are at peace with our Mother Mary & Jesus. Thank you for watching over your beautiful son Brysen. He started school & is so smart like you! You are so proud I'm sure. Thank you for giving us Brysen & allowing yourself to be a part of him. I love you, g

Happy Birthday sweet Zander! I sure do miss you

Zander I miss you so much my heart is breaking & my tears are flowing. I talked to Brysen & he misses & remembers his daddy with love. He is so smart & growing more in your image. He says his daddy in heaven is watching over him. God love him

Thinking of you a little more today…You are Never forgotten. ❤️

Always remembered, always in our hearts ❤️.

Zander the day you called me "grandma" you owned my heart ❤️. I miss your beautiful smile each & every day. Sending you much love & many prayers to you in heaven on your birthday g.

It is near impossible to put into words how great of a friend Zander was to me. He always built me up to be a better person, had endless patience with me, and inspired me to fearlessly be myself, just like he was.
September will forever be a reminder of my days with you. I'll be listening to your favorite Ed Sheeran, Sam Smith, and Jason Aldean albums. Missing you and thinking of you every day, but today a little extra. Happy birthday, Zander.

Happy Heavenly Birthday Zander! You are missed❤️

Missing and remembering Zander today and everyday. Sending love and prayers.

My tears are falling as I remember my beautiful Zander. I know you are with our Lord & I pray everyday that you have found Peace. God Bless your soul sweet grandson. I love you & miss you everyday. g

Remembering Zander. Sending love and prayers.

Never forgotten

"Death is nothing at all,
I have only slipped away
into the next room. I am I,
and you are you;
whatever we were to each other,
that, we still are.

Call me by my old familiar name,
speak to me in the easy way
which you always used,
put no difference in your tone,
wear no forced air
of solemnity or sorrow.

Laugh as we always laughed
at the little jokes we shared together.
Let my name ever be
the household word that it always was.
Let it be spoken without effect,
without the trace of a shadow on it.

Life means all
that it ever meant.
It is the same as it ever was.
There is unbroken continuity.

Why should I be out of mind
because I am out of sight?

I am waiting for you,
for an interval,
somewhere very near,
just around the corner.

All is well."

I was in school with Zander from 2nd grade up to high school, and got to be closest with him in middle school. Zander's faithful friendship was a major part of what got me through those awkward and difficult years, and I have fond memories of working with him on science projects and going on the 8th grade DC trip together.

I was blessed to have had such a faithful and caring friend as Zander. My deepest condolences to the Onders family. You are all in my prayers.

Zander was a bright and funny presence in our home when I was in middle and then high school, sarcastic in a fun way but also very kind. His presence always just felt right, I knew it would be a fun day when Zander was there. It feels as though he must still be out there somewhere, making someone laugh or lending a listening ear. The last time I saw him we hiked to the top of the ski lofts with Sam. Looking out from the top of the hill with them and admiring the sunset was a moment where I felt complete peace. I fell pretty hard after that on our off-the-path attempt to climb down, haha. Somehow neither of them laughed at me, which I appreciate, because it must have been pretty funny. I am and always will be grateful to have known you, Zander.

Theres not just one story or moment that summarizes how special of a man Zander was. What comes to mind was his incredible ability to make everyone he met feel comfortable and relaxed. He always brought a smile to everyones face and was always the first one to lend a helping hand. The most important thing, was he helped me and countless others get through the difficult time that is High School. He was always true to himself and a man I admire and respect. My deepest condolences to the entire Onders family, if you need anything feel free to reach out.

I met Zander in high school and we became friends quickly through speech and debate. He was a fun, kind presence and always made the long Saturdays we spent at various tournaments so much more goofy. I considered him a close friend and he was an integral part of my high school experience. He always made people around him feel comfortable and welcome in his presence. I know he had deep love for his friends and family, and he will be missed by many people. To the Onders family, I am very sorry for your loss. I will miss him very much.

I joined the "advanced" class in 4th grade, two years later than Zander and the rest of the class. I did a good job of alienating most people, but Zander was not deterred. He made me feel welcome, introduced me to his friends, and became one of my closest friends through those awkward middle school years.

One of my fondest memories of those years was going trick-or-treating with him and a few other friends. We spent the night in his basement playing board games and gambling with our candy. He ended up with all my Hershey's, I ended up with all his Runts. I think that means he won.

Zander was a steadfast and fun-loving friend, and I count myself lucky to be one of the people that knew him.

Zander will always have a special place in my heart. Although I only lived in Ohio for a few years, I remember Zander as a good and loyal friend and I'm sorry that I never got the chance to reconnect with him.

Thinking back on those years, I remember Zander's love for fantasy, especially the Eragon series. He used to carry the book around as if it were a bible, only letting the most worthy people touch it. When one day I was allowed such a privilege, I knew that it meant something special. It was only years later that I read the books, after I had moved away, but I remembered his passion and felt as if I was still sharing that with him.

Zander was also one of my first crushes. I remember dedicating a heart-shaped mole on my arm to him a few years after being friends. Over the years, the chance of course arose to rededicate the mole to a new crush, but I never did. Even to this day, over 10 years later and many thousands of miles away, I look at that mole and remember him.

I met Zander through St Basil LifeTeen and was always happy to see him join us! He was closer in age to my sister, so I saw them and their friends spend a lot of time together and he always seemed like the undercover funny guy of the group. More importantly, Zander brought a radiance and peace to whomever was in his presence.
It has been many years since we’ve spoken, but I thought of Zander often and I’ve taught several students with the same first name and I think it is probably my favorite of the unique names I come across as a teacher.
Your spirit and light will be greatly missed, Zander. I hope that you are watching over those whom you love most and keep all who knew you in your prayers. You are so loved.

I'm heartbroken to hear this news. Zander and I were debate partners in high school, and I had a lot of fun with him sparring at practice or taking on the prep school kids most Saturdays. I've slowed down a lot since, and sort of shake my head at how much unearned pretension some of the debaters had (myself included). Zander wasn't like that. He could make good use of swagger and was funny and sharp, but he wouldn't be a jerk about it.

When we had practice at his house, I was impressed by how much his younger siblings seemed to adore him. I'll bet he was a really loving dad.

My condolences to his family, and thanks for sharing Zander with us. I still respect how much he gave to others, the ways he was mature beyond his years. I was lucky to have such a kind friend, and wish him peace.

My heart is aching for you, Mark and Autumn, and for your entire family! Our family met Zander from the neighborhood - my kids thought he had the coolest name ever! (They hadn't realized it was a nickname.) I remember him as quiet, with a sweet smile, and had the impression that he felt very deeply. Praying for Zander, for your family and his friends!

I would like to offer my heartfelt condolences to Zander’s precious family... and friends. ❤️ My prayers are with you during this most difficult time.  I was so very sorry to hear of Zander’s passing. What a very precious and fine young man he was. I have such fond memories of attending his Grandma Susan and Grandpa David Metro’s Christmas Eve celebrations throughout the years...and every year Zander would make a craft project for the guests. I so enjoyed receiving them. One of my favorites..... the wine rings he made for the stems of our wine glasses. He was so inventive and so very thoughtful. Always embracing us with his beautiful smile! It was fun seeing how much he had grown each year and hearing all of the wonderful stories his Grandma Susan would tell me of all their precious time spent together. A very special moment was seeing Zander a few years ago...all grown up... at the annual Christmas Eve celebration.....It was great getting to talk with him and to catch up.....and meeting his beautiful son Brysen. How very proud he was of being a dad! I had my picture taken with Brysen sitting on my lap. It was a very special evening that I will treasure and keep close to my heart........always. ❤️❤️

Mark, Autumn and family- I am so sorry to hear of Zander’s passing. I knew him as a passionate, sweet, humble and kind person. He worked high ropes at camp: I felt that he was trustworthy in a role where the safety of the kids was critical and he was also so supportive of them when they were doing something really scary.
He was a hard worker and had a great work ethic. He was well-liked and respected by his peers.
I am thankful that I got the chance to know him a little better through interviewing him, hiring him, and supervising him and wish we had stayed connected. My heart is absolutely crushed by his passing.

With deepest sympathy as you remember Zander. Healing thoughts and prayers for the entire Onders family.

Mark and family - My heart broke when I heard this news. My deepest condolences to you all. God bless.

My heart just sank when I heard this news. My deepest condolences go out to the Onders family. I will be praying for you tonight.

My deepest condolences to the entire Onders family on this sudden and tragic loss. My prayers go out to Zander so that he may find peace in Heaven and prayers, strength and love to his family during this difficult time.