Brian Baptist

Brian Baptist
Jacksonville - Brian Keith Baptist, 49, of Jacksonville, Illinois, died unexpectedly on Sunday, September 21, 2025, in Middleton, Wisconsin.
Brian was born in Jacksonville on October 17, 1975, the son of Frank "Buzz" and Barbara Baptist.
He married the love of his life, Jennifer Stevens on September 28, 2001, at Bethel Baptist Church in Chandlerville. He and Jennifer are the proud parents of Makenna Nicole, born in 2003 and Daxton Keith born in 2005.
He graduated from Jacksonville High School in 1993. While there, he was a member of the golf, baseball and basketball teams. He then attended Lewis and Clark Community College before coming home and attending MacMurray College, graduating in 1998 with a degree in education. While at MacMurray, Brian was a 1997 NCAA conference champion in golf. He also was a kicker for the MacMurray Highlander football team and was part of the team when they earned a conference championship in 1997.
Brian coached baseball at Jacksonville High School, served as a substitute teacher and then a teacher for the Behavioral Disorder classes. He went back to MacMurray to pursue endorsements to teach special education and health classes but left before completing those to pursue a career in law enforcement.
Brian's career in law enforcement spanned more than 20 years. He was in the Basic Law Enforcement Class #2272 at the Police Training Institute in Champaign, graduating in February 2005. He was selected for the Special Response Team in December 2007. He was assigned to the ILEAS Mobile Field Force in 2008 and was assigned to the first Jacksonville Street Crimes Unit from 2009-2012. He received letters of commendation for exceptional work in 2011 and 2023 and was named Officer of the Month in February 2018. Brian was promoted to Sergeant on June 22, 2014, and served in that capacity until his passing. He had planned to retire in November 2025.
Brian was known for being the life of every party and was known for his smile and ability to make others laugh. He was a life-long Cubs fan and was so happy when they won the 2016 World Series. He was a lover of Busch Light, sunsets, Lake Jacksonville, Mexican food, margaritas, Hawaiian shirts, bucket hats, National Lampoon's Vacation, collecting everything, roadside finds, going on vacation, hunting, going to the cabin and Fantasy Football. He was at his most content when he was with his wife and kids, and spending time with all his friends.
Brian is survived by his wife Jennifer Baptist of Jacksonville, daughter Makenna Baptist of Jacksonville, son Daxton Baptist of Jacksonville, mother Barbara Baptist of Jacksonville, sister Brenda Protz Silveira (Heidi) of Springfield, father-in-law and mother-in-law Daniel and Debra Stevens of Chandlerville, sister-in-law Ashley Lex (Justin) of Chatham, brother-in-law Beau Stevens of Chandlerville, and nieces Brandy Protz Rivers (Weston) of Greenfield, Indiana; and Ryleigh and Logan Lex of Chatham. Through the Mason family who helped raise him and his sister, he is survived by bonus sisters Tammy Mason Rust (Tom) of Bourbonnais, Illinois, and Lisa Mason Magelitz (Dan) of Oshkosh, Wisconsin, as well as bonus nephew Shane Magelitz and niece Megan Magelitz, both of Oshkosh, Wisconsin. He is also survived by an extended family of aunts, cousins, and his brother and sisters in law enforcement, as well as a group of friends that he loved greatly. He was also a dad to the family Yorkie, Brylee.
Brian was preceded in death by his father, Frank "Buzz" Baptist of Jacksonville, and his niece, Jenna Protz of Vandalia, and many other family members, friends and fur babies who he missed and were waiting for him when he got to Heaven.
A celebration of life will be held on Sunday, September 28 at the Midwest Athletic Center (MacMurray College gymnasium) at 409 Hardin Avenue in Jacksonville. Family will meet friends from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. with a Celebration of Life beginning at 1:30 p.m. Those attending are encouraged to wear Hawaiian shirts or their favorite sports team shirts. He would want you to be comfortable.
Memorials may be made to the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 125 or to the Baptist Education Fund to benefit the continuing education of his children.
The Williamson Funeral Home in Jacksonville is in charge of arrangements. Condolences may be left online at www.airsman-hires.com.