Hey Eli,
Ive been feeling God's presence a lot lately and you crossed my mind so I wanted to say wassup, been missing you bro. We are in the second semester of high school now, its kinda crazy how fast time goes, but I wanted to make sure you were still a part of my life. I don't really have much of a plan for what Im saying, but man I would trade anything to talk to you again, your my brother for life.
Love, Evan

Hey, it’s been a really long time. Second semester of freshman year now. I definitely wasn’t as close to you as others were, but I still remember how kind, and sweet you were in elementary school. I don’t really know what to say, I kind of feel like I don’t have a place to write, as we weren’t the closest when 5th grade came around, and so many others knew you way better. But I can’t help but remember once in a while those small moments of kindness. You impacted everyone, we all remember you Eli, you were a great person. That day was horrible- I still remember it. You left us too soon. You were suppose to come join us through those special moments of graduating 5th, and graduating 8th. I hope that through all of our memories, in someways you have joined us. But I wish it was in person.
We all miss you Eli- thank you for everything.

We recently graduated from middle school, and I couldn’t help but feel you should have been there with us. I hope you’re at peace and that somehow, you’re still part of our journey.

Hey Eli. It’s so weird to think it’s been 3 years, it still hits suddenly sometimes that your not here to experience middle school with all of us. I remember the day it happened, that day going to school everyone was Solemn, it was so sudden and came out of no where. While I didn’t crazily know you we use to talk on the bus and joke around. It hurts to know you were only 11, you should still be here with us, experiencing 8th grade.  We all miss you Eli, thank you for the special memories we all have of you.

Hey man, its been 2 years since your passing and I just wanted to come on here and say that I miss you so much, you were one of my closest friends and when you died a piece of me died, I just wanted to say sorry for always doing my homework instead of going to your house and I regret that everyday and if I could end my life to save your life then I would of 100% done that because that's how much you mean to me. From your friend Nathan.

Eli! Told you I'd be back! Happy new year!
So, heres what's been going on with me, I made my school basketball team and Im starting at point guard! A couple nights ago I hit a game winning free throw. 
Schools been pretty tough lately, got put in AIG during a test and got messed up. If I fail this class I could get held back but the school wont let me do it again even though I wasnt learning the same things.  Dont worry though, God will always prevail!
Im gonna be back soon Eli and Im praying for your family. I wont ever forget about you man. Love you bro
-Evan Cronin

A year has passed and it is still just a shock to the system that Eli wasn't right there with his buddies as we moved up to middle school. I think that is one of the hardest things about a loss...time moves on and our memories move on with us, but there is just so much we wished for that cannot be.  Connor was lucky to have Eli as his first friend in this community when we moved back south from California.  He will be a forever friend, but not in the way that Connor would have liked.  Rest up high Eli...you are missed.  You are loved.  We celebrate your brief but spectacular life and we think of you every time we dip anything into some red Heinz condiment sauce!

A full year has come and gone since you departed from us, but your absence still resonates deeply within our hearts. Your presence was a shining beacon of joy, a kind-hearted soul with a smile that could illuminate the darkest of rooms.

Despite not being necessarily close, I always deeply admired you from afar. You had an exceptional gift for making everyone feel loved and valued, and I know that you touched the lives of countless individuals during your relatively brief time with us.

May you now be resting in perfect, unadulterated peace, and may you be acutely aware of just how much you were cherished. Your spirit lives on in all of us who were fortunate enough to have known you, and for me personally, I will forever hold onto the radiant light and warmth that you bestowed upon my life.

Rest in sweet, eternal peace, Eli. Your memory will never fade away.

Hey, been a while since I left a message, but I love you Eli and I miss you, I think of you every day and I pray for your family,  and we all love you so so much, Me, Connor, Vinayak, Landon, Mason,  Cameron and so many more your a great person and Ill be back soon to leave another message, with love -Evan Cronin

Eli was such a funny, amazing person to be around. I was in his class and sat next to him for awhile. I can assure you that every single day, he would make me and the others around our table laugh harder than ever.

We’ll miss you, Eli. May he rest in peace.

No words can describe how much we will miss you, and no words can describe how thankful we are for having you in our lives.  You will forever live in our hearts!  Love you, buddy!

Love,
Aunt Jess, Uncle Rusty and Katie.  

When I think of sweet Eli...I think of him laughing, always telling stories, always keeping up with his amazing brothers and sister, always with a smile and always being a light on a gloomy day. We love you and our hearts are broken for you and for the world, as it definitely needs more Eli's in it.

Eli was very nice, always smiling, happy and very helpful! He was everyone's friend. We all miss him. May he rest in peace.

Keith, Casie, Drew, Laine, and Sam - we are heartbroken over this tragedy. From the day you moved in, EJ was so excited to have another friend to play with. I think his favorite part of the day was after school with our little gang of boys outside. I loved watching all of them through the years playing ball, fishing, swimming, cruising around on golf carts… you name it. 

Eli was a wonderful little boy and he lived life fully out here in our neck of the woods. We pray you feel God’s strength as you navigate through this. We are here for you always. - Jim, Mary, Ava, Audrey & EJ

I had the honor of being Eli's third grade teacher. This was the year that COVID hit and I always felt so sad that I never got to finish the year with this special group. I can say that Eli was *always* kind to everyone in our class. He was a great friend and worked hard. I continued to see him in the hallways this year and at the beginning of the year I talked to him about how he was almost as tall as me. Just a short while later, he surpassed me and I jokingly told him that he was not allowed to be taller than me:-) He always had a smile for me and I am inspired by his kindness towards others. He will forever be in my heart.  Love and prayers to all his family and friends! Love, Mrs. McCutcheon

 Although we may not understand the tragedies in life, we are always in the Lord’s hands. We’re praying that you find healing comfort and all your fond memories bring you some peace.     Eli touched so many lives .   Our hearts are so heavy right now,.  Please know  we are here in any capacity you may need.     Fly High Sweet Eli!!!!!!   

I was lucky enough to be Eli’s Second Grade Teacher  and what a great year we had together. Eli was a sweet, smart, and friendly young man who was loved by all who were lucky enough to know him.  One of my favorite memories of Eli that year was  on “Crazy Hat Day.” Eli wore the BEST hat! It was a gold cowboy hat and he had the perfect stance to go along with it.  This was the perfect hat choice for Eli because he had a heart of gold. He touched so many lives with his kind heart, sweet smile, and sense of humor.  I pray that all the wonderful memories that are shared of Eli will help the Svonovec  family  find strength and peace during this sad time. I am so sorry for your loss.

Although my most recent memory of Eli is from when I was chasing him around (while he was still in diapers!!) while babysitting, I am not at all surprised by these memories describing the boy Eli grew to be. Supported and cherished by such giving parents and attentive siblings, Eli was happy, caring, and goofy - right from the start! Our time together was always silly, light-hearted, and fun. There was no better feeling than arriving to his house and seeing him run towards me with the biggest, charming smile on his face and his arms open wide. From our shared love of dogs, Disney, and hide and go seek, there was no other place I’d rather be on a weekend night than with Eli and his siblings! Keith, Casie, Drew, Laine and Sam - I pray for your peace and comfort and that your community embraces you with the compassion, warmth, and intentionality that you so readily show to others. Eli was so blessed to have you as his family and his support. In my time spent with your family, it was evident how much Eli loved and adored each of you. Our lives have been forever changed by him!

Continued prayers of comfort, love and hope as you go forward. Eli has touched everyone that he came in contact with. A very special young man that was a true blessing to all. As an Angel here on earth, he is now one in heaven. May our Lord wrap his loving arms around you all.  Sincerely, Kathy Kasza (MES)

Fond memories of Eli will forever be in my heart, and I miss him terribly. Having Eli in Music class at MES was both a pleasure and blessing. He was a sports enthusiast, yet he always gave 110% to his music studies, even helping to distribute materials to others in his row. Everything was under control when Eli was in charge of  handing out and organizing things! He was kind beyond measure and never left my room without saying something kind or offering a smile on the way out. I’ll never forget how sweet and lighthearted he was towards me when I’d accidentally call him by his friends’s first name (I’d say, “Eli, Mrs. Andrews is just getting old, so sorry I keep messing up.”) Each and every time he would simply smile or chuckle  at me and act like it was no problem at all.  He was never the loudest voice in the room, and yet his ability to demonstrate leadership by example was profound. While I don’t have kids of my own, I recall many instances in which I thought to myself, if I had a son, I’d love to have one who is JUST like Eli. My heart is breaking for the Svonovec family. Each of you will remain in my thoughts and prayers.  May you find comfort in knowing that Eli meant so much to everyone who knew him. He made everyone around him happier, just by being there! 

Casie and Keith, our hearts break for you. There are no words that can truly express how deeply my heart aches for you. As you obviously know, Eli was such a huge part of my boys (Summit, Braven and Rollins) daily lives. Just such a kind sweet soul, and loved by EVERYONE! He is already so deeply missed, and there will forever be a part of the gang missing. Praying for strength in the days ahead ❤️🙏 

Eli was my best friend for 3 years and was always there for me and really did feel like a big brother to me, all the fighting, laughing and good times we have had I will never forget. All of the photos we sent, the FaceTime calls we had, and the jokes me made. I would trade ANYTHING in the whole world so see him one more time. No matter what happened with us We always found away to be together laughing having the time of our lives knowing we would have each other's backs no matter what. I feel like he would always find a way to make a joke out of everything and that is something special that not a lot of people can do like he did. I now released how important he was to me and to everyone around him. I might not have been near him 24/7 but I have a feeling he got along with everyone he met and I know that everyone will miss him and so will I. I wish your family the best and all of my prayers and love for him and I know he will always be in our hearts watching up above us all so remember you are never alone and Eli Svonovec, never and I mean never gets hurt or dies he is still with us and will always be a legend to all of us. From Autumn

Landon will miss Eli so much. He was so welcoming to Landon as a new student this year and enjoyed having him in his class and as a teammate for both basketball and football. Landon also loved that Eli nicknamed him LT. You will be so missed Eli!

My favorite memories are the unplanned times that we ran into each other at Disney or Universal. We would end up grabbing lunch or going on rides as a group and those times will forever be cherished.  Eli was always so sweet, goofy, and a pleasure to be around. He will be missed dearly.

Eli will be greatly missed by his friend Danny.
He has only fond and happy memories of Eli. So glad their friend group were all sitting together at the class party,—eating ice cream, making their little wind chimes and having fun. 

I was one of Eli’s TK teachers and to this day remember his kindness and sweet smile.  He walked in everyday ready to be the best he could be. Prayers for his family, friends, classmates and all those whose lives Eli touched.  

Our home is not the same without you here, Eli. We miss seeing you out there every day playing football with all the kids. We miss watching you all jump on the trampoline,  swim in the pool, debate between ketchup and mustard being better, and hearing your jokes.  It's incomplete now. We miss your smile and your humor.  You were one of the sweetest, most polite kids we knew. You became like family over the years. The boys, Brooke, Waylon and I miss you so very much.  Keith, Casie, Drew, Laine, and Sam...our prayers are always with you and we will always be here for you. 

Getting to be Eli’s school counselor was such an incredible honor. He was such a kind hearted, gentle boy who was loved by everyone around him. I always knew every morning when he walked through those school doors that he would greet me with a smile and say good morning. He was such a joy to be around and I’m so thankful I got to know him over this past year. The Svonovec Family,  I am so incredibly sorry for your loss. I will be keeping you guys in my thoughts and prayers. Please know your MES family is here for you 

It was a blessing to be Eli’s TK teacher 
 His kind and loving heart brought sunshine to each of our days together. 
❤️

Eli  had such a beautiful soul and I feel so lucky to have spent time with him in the media center. 
Mrs Brown
MES

When I became a student teacher in Eli’s class, he was one of the most welcoming students. Every morning he would smile and say “Good morning Ms.Kinslow” and I could always count on him to raise his hand to answer my questions! One of my favorite memories I have of Eli is him asking one day if I was wearing a Gucci belt. We both laughed because we knew the obvious answer was no. “Not with this teacher salary” I replied. Eli was the sweetest, teddy bear of a student and he will be greatly missed. Please know how very sorry I am for your loss. Your family will remain in my thoughts and prayers daily. 

May your hearts, continue to feel Eli’s presence.


Svonovec Family,
Please know how sorry I am for your loss. Eli sounds like such an amazing young man~ I so wish I could have taught another wonderful  Svonovec child!  You all are close to my heart and in my thoughts and prayers.  May God grant you peace and comfort in the days ahead.
Missy Shurley

Keith and Casie,  I am so sorry your family has to endure the loss of sweet Eli.  He will always be remembered and your family is treasured in this community.  



The Parks family will never forget the kindness, patience, and grace Eli showed to our son at school.  Eli was such a sweet boy with a natural and authentic kindness. May you Rest In Peace, sweet Eli.  Our deepest condolences to the Svonovec family.  We are here for you.  
Greg, Christine/Teeny, Jameson, and Georgia Parks  

Our family is devastated by this. This community is ready to rally around your family. Our football family will honor Eli. We pray that your family finds some peace. 

I don't have any memory to share but my heart breaks for the both of you and your entire family.  I am so sorry for your losses of late and I have no words but only prayers.  We love you and we are here for you. 
Love,
Emmie and John Pehush

OBITUARY

Elias "Eli" Hayes Svonovec

July 29, 2010 – May 30, 2022

McEwen Funeral Service-Pineville Chapel

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