Carson A. Santefort

Carson A. Santefort, 20, of Watseka passed away on Friday, February 9, 2024. He was born on October 28, 2003 in Kankakee, the son of Tim and Marie (Tribble) Santefort of Watseka and they survive.

Also surviving are his sister, Madelynn Santefort of Watseka; his brother, Logan Santefort of Watseka; maternal grandparents, Bob and Kim Tribble of Sheldon; paternal grandmother, Bette Santefort of Watseka; uncle, Bob (Jenny) Tribble of Braidwood; aunts, Sarah (Randy) Burton of Marshfield, Missouri and Sara (Brook) Sarver of Crawfordsville, Indiana; cousins, Lucas (Elizabeth) Tribble, Ryan Tribble, Kaylee Tribble, Hailey Sarver, Avery Sarver, Callan Sarver, Raylee Burton, Caydee Burton, and Jaycee Burton.

Carson was preceded in death by his paternal grandfather, Jim Santefort. 

An incomplete inventory of words that describe Carson might start out with the following: skilled, purveyor of excellence, talented, gifted, blessed, visual artist, wryly witty, serious, musical craftsman, admired, intuitive, deep thinker, practical, troubleshooter, hungry to learn, a sponge for new ideas, intolerant of most brands of nonsense (unless they are of his own invention), handsome, mysterious at times, not a waster of words, adept at lighting up his mother’s heart and her home with his smile, eager for his grandfather’s wisdom  and sometimes more eager for his grandmothers’ cooking, adored by his siblings, marveled at by his father.  

Scores more qualities may be listed, but none matter as greatly as his quiet and ultimate confidence that God is good and His words are true.  Carson’s battles untold yielded wounds unseen that could be ultimately healed by none other than the One who created him and knew him before he was knitted in his mother’s womb, the One who knew his days in advance, the One who redeemed him and made a place for him in heaven for eternity and for His own glory.  So now we may start a new inventory of words to describe Carson, none to replace what we saw and experienced of Carson, rather to add to and magnify all that God gave him when he was with us:  restored, safe at home, glorified, perfected, in possession of every promise of God, keeper of the hope we have in Christ, fully aware of the entirety of the magnificence of God.  

Carson is not gone;  he’s just not here.  Our days may at times feel long before we see him next time.  While we cannot will to ourselves the talents, skills and abilities that God gifted Carson, we all can choose Carson’s foremost quality: the humility to accept the freely given gift of salvation in the work of Jesus Christ, in the promises of God, and in the power of the Holy Spirit.  In doing so, we will be together again and celebrate with joy.  

When we gather together this weekend to celebrate Carson, we know he doesn’t want us being formal and stuffy. Casual attire is entirely acceptable. Come as you are.

Visitation will be from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Friday, February 16, 2024 at Trinity Church in Watseka.  A Celebration of Life will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, February 17, 2024 at Trinity Church in Watseka with Pastor Ryan Mustered officiating. Burial will follow in the Oak Hill Cemetery in Watseka.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the WCHS Music Department.  

Arrangements are being handled by the Knapp Funeral Home in Watseka.

Please share a memory of Carson at www.knappfuneralhomes.com.