Diego Alexis Cantu

Diego Alexis Cantu, 28, of Arcola, IL passed away at 12:19 AM on Monday, February 9, 2026 at Sarah Bush Lincoln Heath Center in Mattoon, IL.

Visitation will be held from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM on Thursday, February 12, 2026 at the Edwards Funeral Home, 221 East Main St., Arcola, IL. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 AM on Friday, February 13, 2026 at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, 210 South Pine St., Arcola, IL. Father Michael Trummer will officiate. Burial will follow in the Arcola Cemetery.

Diego was born on June 27, 1997 in Iowa Falls, IA. He was the son of Hugo Cesar Cantu and Elsa Ayala Rodriguez.

He is survived by his parents, Hugo Cesar Cantu and Elsa Ayala Rodriguez of Arcola, IL, one brother, Christopher Cantu of Monterrey, Mexico, one sister, Camila Cantu of Arcola, IL, his maternal grandmother, Yolanda Rodriguez, and several aunts, uncles and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, Jose and Irma Cantu, and his maternal grandfather, Jesus Ayala

Diego was a 2015 graduate of Arcola High School. He was a member of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Arcola, IL.

Diego had a kind and loving soul. He will be remembered for his funny personality, loving heart, and contagious laugh that could light up any room. He had a way of making people feel comfortable and welcome just by being himself. Connecting with others always came very easily to him. Diego was loyal to his core, once you were a part of his life, you could always count on him no matter what. He will forever live through his family, who loved him beyond words, and by his friends who became his family through the bond he created with them. Diego’s absence leaves an unimaginable emptiness, but his memory will forever live on through the laughter he shared, the love he gave, and the impact he had on everyone he met. Though his life was far too short, his presence was meaningful. Diego will be deeply missed and forever remembered.

Diego Alexis Cantu, un querido hijo, hermano y amigo, falleció el 9 de febrero de 2026. Diego tenía un alma bondadosa y cariñosa. Será recordado por su personalidad divertida, su corazón amoroso y su risa contagiosa que iluminaba cualquier lugar. Tenía la habilidad de hacer que la gente se sintiera cómoda y bienvenida simplemente siendo él mismo. Conectar con los demás siempre le resultaba muy fácil. Diego era leal hasta la médula; una vez que formabas parte de su vida, siempre podías contar con él, sin importar qué. Vivirá para siempre en el recuerdo de su familia, que lo amaba inmensamente, y de sus amigos, quienes se convirtieron en su familia gracias al vínculo que creó con ellos. La ausencia de Diego deja un vacío inimaginable, pero su recuerdo perdurará para siempre a través de las risas que compartió, el amor que brindó y el impacto que tuvo en todos los que conoció. Aunque su vida fue demasiado corta, su presencia fue significativa. Diego será profundamente extrañado y recordado por siempre.