Dearest Eljahn

It pains me to write this because im never going to be ready to let you go but i know you wouldn't want me to be sad too long. I don't even know where to start we have too much of a history to even fill up a book let alone a letter, so ill just keep it short.. It breaks my heart even thinking about every memory because even though they were genuine and happy now i just cry about it.. Losing you at just 27 years old, after spending my whole life with you, is a pain i don't personally think ill ever recover from but i also know that you wouldn't want me to be sad forever.. You were always there for me whenever i needed advice and you got me through some of the toughest times. I waited for your reply when i message you not knowing you weren't there anymore and this wasn't what i expected. Eljahn you were the first person who met my son on FaceTime and the only brother who knew about everything. I won't be able to see you anymore, go on joy rides, sleepovers, play video games, get your jokes, selfies, phone calls and wise words of encouragement. Eljahn I may not be able to have forever with you again but our happy memories will go on to infinity. I miss you whole heartedly everyday and will always carry a peace of you in my heart. Thank you for being the most influential person I've ever met, thank you for being my "older brother", homie, for accepting and loving everyone, and for being someone that impacted the lives of so many. You will never be forgotten. I hope where your at lets you trace every moment and has a beautiful view to grasp. Say hi to Gideon and Zahara for me. 
Eljahn Balon I love you and miss you so much! Xoxo 💙

Hi Eljahn, we love and miss you so much! I cannot put into words how I feel. Every time you came down we had our moments and I treasure those moments dearly and hold them close to my heart. I'm going to miss you coming over and swimming for hours and the good times we had with the fams. I remember our long talk at my wedding, just me and you, outside in the dark. The bride at the wedding was missing lol, but I was with you. I was telling you how strong you are and how I truly admired you.  You are a strong person, mentally and physically. To this day, every single free moment I get, you pop up in my head, even this morning. I'm serious! I think about you constantly and privately. You leaving us too soon has made a major impact on me. I always live life to the fullest but watching your videos and looking at your pictures is a reminder to just enjoy life to the fullest even more. So thank you cousin, for being a true inspiration. You are so loved by everyone!  Thank you for being  a beautiful and kind person. I celebrate your life and will dedicate my half marathon to you, when I actually do it. You are my motivation! Cheers to you cousin! We Love you!

Where do I even begin? Seven years is a long time. We grew together we learned together and most of all I got to watch you blossom into the beautiful soul you were. We shared so many experiences good and bad. We were always together in one form or another. Best friends above anything else always. We were a magic team in the kitchen that was our thing. Road trips, going to the mountain and pulling me around by my ski poles. But you never left my side. You shared your love for the mountain with Tyree. Going on our first motorcycle ride together. Trips to the hot springs just because. So many things after seven years. Seven years I’ll always hold in my heart. I will live my life in the best way you taught me, to live to the fullest. I’ll always love you Eljahn to the moon and back. 

Eljahn, I miss you very much and I still can’t believe that you’re gone. Thank you for being the most fun and adventurous cousin ever! I’ll miss the good times when you came down to Cali to visit us. One good memory I remember of us is when we would play Rock Band together. I would play the guitar and you would choose the microphone and sing your heart out LOL. I love you so much and may you rest in peace. See you in paradise.

My sweet dearest cousin, Eljahn, you were literally one of a kind. A person who was strong, independent, kind, smart, adventurous...the list goes on. I’m honored and proud that I had a cousin like you. I will cherish every memory with you from our water world trips and marine world trips to our recent trip of river rafting! You were the best listener and always gave me the best compliments that brightened up my day! It’s heartbreaking that I won’t get to hear those compliments or see you for those trips anymore but your positive energy and the love you gave to this world will never be forgotten and I will definitely never forget them either! I will miss you dearly cousin! I love you!!! Rest In Peace Eljahn. 

Love, 
Your cousin, Crystal 

Cuzzo, 

I still can’t believe you’re gone! All our spontaneous trips together I miss them all. From white water river rafting, to dressing up all fancy to go wine tasting, to our late night in n out runs, to random “lets go” watch this movie at the movie theatre, to planning our next summer trips when you come back to visit. Literally, baby bottles to popping bottles, haha. So Sad that we can no longer do these things together. Loosing you and thinking about it still breaks my heart. Although you’re gone I’ll have all these happy memories with you. I wish you were able to see Rayden. I know you’d love him so much. Rayden may not have been able to meet you, but he’ll know how much you meant to me. I love you and miss you so much cousin. You’ll forever be In our hearts ♡ 

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My Dearest and Beloved Nephew Eljahn,

It’s been almost two months since you passed and I am still in disbelief that you are no longer physically here with us.  I love you so very much and miss you dearly.  You were definitely taken away “too soon,” but will never, ever be forgotten for you remain in my heart, thoughts, prayers, and will forever live in my “memory” as all the memories I have of you will be cherished dearly forever.

You never cease to amaze me!  As a young little boy at 1 year, 9 months old with the ability and intelligence to read to a grown 27-year-old young adult, you were larger than life itself.  As I wrote in your GoFundMe page and Memorial Services Program as well as in the words of remembrance, “Everyone loved you! How could anyone not?  You had such an energetic, radiant, and magnetic quality about you that we were all drawn to you…  You touched so many lives it was countless!  You were loving, caring, compassionate, kind, humble, joyful, happy, comical, bright, altruistic, gifted, generous, genuine, adventurous, and the list goes on…”

I will definitely miss you visiting us in Cali yearly, and for all the talks you and I shared.  Both the times we laughed and cried together.  Although you are my nephew, I treated you more like my son at times, not only with kind and loving words, but with harsh and disciplinary words as well, which uplifted both of us.  And you showed deep respect and love for me, not only as your Aunt, but as you did for your parents. I tear missing the many times you and I shared deep conversations, and I am so saddened to know that we won’t be having anymore of those times we shared together and with Uncle Dave joining in our talks at times.  

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I miss you so, so very much; the pain and sorrow has been immense, incomprehensible, unbearable, and unimaginable, and the hurt feelings I still feel today are rooted so deep within that I still cry and tear from time to time, thinking of you and I’m sure, there will still be many more days like this throughout my lifetime.  Although, I am moving on as I know that you would have wanted that for me knowing you always wanted me to be happy, I am, but with you always in mind; remembering you for your unforgettable qualities.  

For now, I am saddened that you won’t be coming to visit our ohana anymore and that you will no longer be at family events, Zoom meetings, Saturday Virtual Game Night, our one-on-one deep conversations, story-telling and talks together as well as hearing you say phrases like, “it breaks my mouth,” instead of “broke da mouth.” and “I reached Washington safely, I love you Aunty.  Thank you.  See you again soon.”  I have to accept the fact that you are not returning and that I will never hear these words or phrases again from you, but your memory will be in my heart and in my mind until I see you again. 

In the meantime, I’ll remember everything that you shared with me, your big dimple face smile, your laughter, jokes, generosity, kind, good-hearted nature, adventurous qualities and living larger than life, which you captured so well on video.  Thank you so very much for capturing all the videos you did of yourself, which is in your memorial slideshow for us to cherish forever.  For now, I’ll be happy knowing that you are sleeping, resting peacefully, and that you will awaken when you receive that call.  I miss you very, very, very much and deeply love you forever, my nephew, my balong.  Rest in Peace.


I’m sorry I’m just hearing about this- Eljahn was a nurse who I worked with for a year As a hospitalist before I moved out of state. I got to know him well because of how friendly he was, and he was a great nurse. He’s one of the few who called me by my first name, and I was ok with it because of how genuine he was. It breaks my heart to hear about this. My condolences for your loss. 

Rest in Love ❤️ Sweet boy.  I never got a chance to meet you but your beautiful soul left an imprint in my heart.  Fly with angels sweetie!!  You will never be forgotten 🙏❤️🙏  

Love & Aloha ~ Auntie Clarita Costigan

Eljahn, it was always a pleasure rolling with you in jiujitsu. It's a sport that is tough on the ego, and you were never afraid to fail and always ready to learn. I never saw you get frustrated or lose your temper, which says a lot. I miss your smile and wonderful spirit.

Eljahn brought so much kindness and joy to Everyone around him, and the world and BJJ of Olympia will never be the same without him. He is missed dearly! 

Everytime I saw you, you had the biggest smile. I could tell exactly the type of person you are from that simple expression. I will miss that energy from you! I know we will meet again!

I was always impressed at every meeting how he was so kind and took time to smile and talk to me. He was a beautiful person. Soon our creator will straighten out this mess of a world we are in and I look forward to seeing you again.

My dearest ading Eljahn. I remember the times that I would play with you when you were just a toddler. I loved seeing your smile with your beautiful, deep dimples. Since you and the family moved to Washington, we didn't get to spend as much time together. But the times we did share and the conversations we've had, I will definitely cherish. I will remember you showing me your love for videos and editing, your love for new adventure, and love of life. You were such an intelligent young man, and had so much to explore, teach, and give. I wish we could have had more conversations and memories made. You have gone away, way too soon. Will wait for the day when we're able to see you again. Love you! Forever and always always.

Although being Eljahn’s oldest Balon cousin, he and other cousins would call me “Aunty” because of the significant age difference.  At only a year and 9 months, Eljahn amazed me with his intelligence.  He read at such a young age, and eventually memorized and recited stories to me verbatim from his book of Bible Stories.  That book must have made an impression on him.  As an Uncle to my children, he encouraged my oldest daughter Jaylen, to follow the same pattern that he was taught from his parents and our grandparents.  Eljahn wrote a touching message in her personal Bible Stories book and said in part, “You are blessed… and I hope you continue to advance in the way of the truth”.  To this day, my daughter has taken that message to heart.  

After leaving us in Hawaii, our families always made the effort to spend time together, whether with other Balon family in California or in their beautiful home in Washington.  In Washington, we have fond memories of carrying on a spiritual routine, even attending a huge convention at Tacoma Dome. We drove to Hood Canal to experience what picking and eating fresh oysters was like, and also took road trips to explore Vancouver, Oregon and Las Vegas.   A significant aspect that characterized those visits was the music.  It was clearly evident that Uncle Elmer’s passion for music lived on in his two sons. My daughter remembers Eljahn playing the drums and bass guitar and singing along to his renditions.  So many unforgettable memories!  We will miss Eljahn dearly!  

I firmly believe that Eljahn never forgot his Creator.  I also firmly believe that this present system we live in will never permanently solve or comfort our deepest wounds. My hope is in the future, a “real life.” And it is that future hope that I dearly cling to – of seeing Eljahn again there alongside our beloved Grandpa Atanacio.


I went to nursing school with Eljahn and I was shocked and saddened to hear about his passing. I will remember him as a kind, caring person that gave more than he took, and who was always willing to help someone in need. It's a tragedy he was taken so early in life. I sincerely wish Eljahns family comfort during this time. 

To my best man ... my cousin ... my friend ... my padiwan,

I see all the pictures and videos of you growing up, your journeys and adventures, your travels, your wide range of talents, interests, skills, you're career ... You've lived such a fulfilling life already at the age of 27.   And now, I'll never see you get married or see you as a father, or grandfather... but I know the kind of father or person you would've been.  A loving father ... a loving husband to a lucky wife ... I know that your children would be your life.  The adventures you would take with your family ... the life lessons you would teach them ... the stories you would share with them .... You're household would be full of love ... joy ... happiness .............................  And all the would-be memories of GIANT family reunions, all the family vacations and yearly State Fair get-togethers, my kid beating your kids in chess, watching our kids get married, having children of their own, getting drunk as old men, ................... not fair you are gone. 
I love you with all my heart.  I miss you.  The world loss a wonderful and beautiful person.  I loss a wonderful friend.  Thank you for all your life advice and all the laughs and all the smiles.  Thank you for all the memories and all the love. 

Your cousin ..... JUNE

My cousin Eljahn is so handsome...I love his smile and his eyes!  I’m really going to miss hanging out with him and hearing all of his crazy jokes!  We had so many good memories with him like dancing around in the living room, playing Marco Polo in the swimming pool, playing Jack Box TV virtually with him and the family during the shelter in place lock down, going hiking, eating lumpias together and so much more!  I love and miss you so much cousin!

Eljahn,   
We will miss seeing your happy go lucky smile or as your uncle Deo called it, your “everlasting smile” and  your dimples too, those your uncle envied. 
You were so young, so full of life and enthusiasm, with a bright and promising future still ahead.   
You were always a gentleman, quick and eager to lend a hand, and a kind and loving human being.
We’ll miss your yearly visits here to California and hearing about your new adventures.  You touched our lives and many others in so many ways. You were part of the family, like a son.  Your uncle Deo will miss hearing, “Pops.”   We will cherish the memories always and know you will always have a place in our hearts.
We miss you very much and Love you always.  Rest In Peace Balong.  Till we meet again.



One thing I really remember about my cousin Eljahn is wrestling with him!  I loved when he would let us jump and smash him to the ground!  Me and my other cousins always got so excited when he was ready to play with us and we would all tackle him!  That was my favorite thing to do with my cousin.  We loved to wrestle him and it was so much fun when he came to visit us!  I miss you so much Eljahn!  I Love You!

We will forever remember our cousin Eljahn the most adventurous, outdoorsy, super intelligent, handsome, and kind-hearted young man. Whenever he would visit us in California, we always had to take him on at least one hiking trail. We are so grateful to have all the memories we had with Eljahn to cherish and hold dear to our hearts. My kids will dearly miss playing with “Uncle Eljahn” in all the ways they used to, from singing, dancing like no one is watching, to computer games, and pretend Jiu-Jitsu. He will forever be missed and never forgotten. We love you, Eljahn. 

March 20-21, 2005. This is a picture of us at our home and Discovery Kingdom Theme Park/Zoo with my extended family. 
I saw this picture and it brought back fond memories when my brother, Elmer, who is Eljahn’s father, and his family took vacations in California.  They would drive all the way from  Washington.  This visit was all the more special because my niece, Janice and her family came to visit for the first time from Hawaii.  

We LOVE and MISS you so much my nephew!  There isn’t a day that goes by, without you in our thoughts.  We are really going to miss seeing your deep dimples with that warm smile and embrace.  Your visits to California was always a delight and we looked forward to spending as much time with you as we could.  The boys are truly crushed that they no longer will be able to have someone to look up to, they admired all your adventures, your successful career and your independence!  The girls are truly going to miss joking around with you, dancing with them, singing songs together, and having you piggy back them everywhere!  Uncle and I have loved you like our own!  We are so fortunate to have so many memories with you that we can cherish forever!  May you Rest In Peace!  We look forward to Gods promise when we can see you again...

I met Eljahn way back around kindergarten time. He was always such a good guy. Loved everyone and I swear he didn't have a mean bone in his body. We didn't talk as much after middle school but I will always remember his smile and his laugh. It was always a good time with him. 
Love you man. 

I met Eljahn in the third grade at Pleasant Glade Elementary, and we were friends up through and beyond our graduation from North Thurston. He was always a light - he was kind and friendly to everyone he met, and to me (it seemed) especially. There were so many memories, but I'm especially find of the video projects for class we worked on together (and that Jahrel edited for us). I think I'll miss most the fact that he always had a smile on his face and laughed easily, and never needed to belittle others to do it. He was one of the best friends I've had, and on the rare occasion we got together as the years after high school went on and we pursued different colleges, jobs, and careers, it was like no time had passed, which is exactly the mark of a true friend. I thank God for Eljahn, and will miss him. 

ElJahn buddy,
I already miss you so much man. I remember the first critical patient we took care of together. Hypertensive stroke with multiple deficits. We got the blood pressure at goal range and we gave TPA and we literally watched the man gain function and his life slowly back while we still cared for him and the smile and excitement on your face is unforgettable! You had a smile that all loved and no matter how far apart our close group was you were always the one piece that brought us back and even in death you still are able to do so and I know will continue to do so when we come visit you and tell you about what’s going on in our lives! I’m going to miss all the adventures we all went on, the trips we took, the risk we all took together, the food we ate (KBBQ......etc) and the laughs we shared!! You maybe gone bro but never forgotten! You were and are still one of the kindest, caring and most ethical person I know!! The day we lost you is the day a lot of us lost a best friend, one we called brother and one who we spent holidays with as family! Every day I wish I could see you once more but we all know that would not be enough. We were suppose to have a lifetime of memories we all shared together, and now we can’t! No we can only share our memories with you. Going to miss seeing you smile, laugh and all the great things you did! We shall see you again brother!!

i did not know Eljahn personally, but i wanted to give my condolences to the family. He was so young,
his life was taken too soon and so suddenly i cannot imagine the heartache you must all feel.  My heartfelt condolences, love,  prayers and support go out to you all. 



OBITUARY

Eljahn Lorena Balon

October 13, 1992 – June 9, 2020

Mills & Mills Funeral Home & Memorial Park

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