Briley Blade

BRILEY BLADE

JERSEYVILLE — Briley Joseph Blade, 20, died unexpectedly at 10:30 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 3, 2018 in Springfield, Missouri.

He was born in Alton, Illinois on July 17, 1998, and was the beloved son of Jarod Heath and Malissa Denise (Carey) Blade.

He attended Jerseyville schools, and graduated in 2017 from Jersey Community High School, where he excelled in every aspect. Athletically, he was a member of the Panther football, wresting and baseball teams throughout his school career and established many long lasting friendships.

It was his junior year in high school that he decided to try out for the Theatre Department, where he, again, excelled. In his first play, he played lead character, Nathan Detroit, in "Guys and Dolls." In his senior year, they performed the play "Oklahoma," where he was nominated, and won, the Outstanding Lead Actor from the St. Louis High School Musical Theatre Awards.

His achievement and recognition of his talent at the Fox Theatre allowed him the opportunity to perform for 10 days on Broadway in the Minskoff Theatre. This was truly an event of a lifetime, and was something that not only rewarded his hard work and dedication, but was also something that Briley was grateful he could share with his family and friends.

He earned a scholarship to Missouri State University in Springfield, Missouri, where he was refining his talents, and participated with the Springfield Little Theatre in their rendition of "How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying."

In addition to these awards, he was also recognized in various county fairs and contests throughout the years, where he was just pleased to be able to perform and enjoy himself. Briley's entire existence was that of making others feel comfortable and happy. He knew no stranger, knew no hate, and only knew how to care for others.

Surviving are his mother, Missy Blade of Jerseyville; his father and stepmother, Jarod and Tosha Blade of Lee's Summit, Missouri; two half siblings, Mia Jordyn Blade, age 11, and Jaxsen James Blade, age 5; and a stepbrother, Tyler O'Leary; his grandparents, Barbara Auston of Jerseyville, Joe and Sara Carey of Grafton, and Don and Karen Blade of Greenup, Illinois; along with many loving cousins, aunts, uncles and friends.

He was preceded in death by a grandfather, James Auston.

Visitation will be held from 3 p.m to 8 p.m. on Tuesday at the Crawford Funeral Home in Jerseyville.

A Mass of Christian Burial will take place at 10 a.m. on Wednesday at the Holy Ghost Catholic Church in Jerseyville, with Father Martin Smith officiating.

He will be laid to rest in the Oak Grove Cemetery in Jerseyville.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the Briley Blade Memorial Fund, in care of Crawford Funeral Home.

Words of condolences may be left at www.crawfordfunerals.com.