Randall Randy Dean Jolliff

Randall Dean Jolliff, 78 of Centralia, passed peacefully into heaven on Saturday, March 21, 2026 while surrounded by his family.

Randall, or "Randy" known to many, was born April 29, 1947 in Centralia, Illinois to Betty Copple and William Irvin Jolliff. He married Donna "Jeanne" Jolliff in 1977 and she preceded him in death December 7, 2016.

Randy is survived by his four children: Butch Jolliff and wife Jena of Centralia, Jennifer Arning and husband Jason of Centralia, Shane Jolliff of Centralia, and Mya Jolliff-Savin and husband Nick of Salem. In addition to his children, he is survived by his sisters Joy White of Centralia and Sondra Scott of Mt. Vernon, brother Monty Jolliff and wife Sherri of Mt.Vernon, and cousins Kim and Richard Miller of Centralia and Angi Marcum of Centralia. Randy was also the proud grandpa of several grandchildren: Randa Walsh, Adam Jolliff, Abby Jolliff, Ashley Reid, Kane Jolliff, and Huck Arning. He was an adored great grandpa, special uncle to his nieces and nephews, beloved brother-in-law, and irreplaceable friend to his dogs Roy and Rocky.

Randy spent the last 55 years basking in the beauty of his view of Raccoon Lake from his home. Upon first acquiring his lake property, he built a geodesic dome as his lake house revealing his creativity, imagination, and intelligence in his ability to bring it to life. As his family grew, he later tore it down and put up the home where he raised his family. He loved and highly respected God's creation, always tending the flowers and plants on his property with gentle care and making sure his birds were always fed. He planted single daffodils in the shape of a cross on the hill across from his home, and each year he would go out and separate the bulbs one by one to replant and expand into the magnificent sight that it is today holding at least 200 single flowers and counting. On a slow afternoon, he enjoyed catching crappie and bluegill from his boat dock or cruising the lake in his fishing boat. As a young man, he liked to try to swim across the lake for exercise while Jeanne followed him in the paddle boat. Randy tried to live simply; he loved Jeanne, his kids, and his place on Raccoon lake. During his working years Randy was a proud conductor for the Burlington Northern Railroad for 30 years. He was one of the youngest conductors to ever pass the test and be in charge. His adventurous tales from the train were stories his kids grew up on, became bedtime stories, and now have been passed down and shared with the grandkids almost as legend. Working for the railroad was his absolute passion. He was a valuable member for BN due to his knowledge, his leadership, and his love for his work. In addition, Randy loved to cook and was a fantastic cook with his chili being a fan favorite. For years, he would prepare a big pot of chili the night of the Halloween parade and family would come over to warm up afterwards. He was also artistic and creative. He would draw silly cartoons for his kids ("Squeak the Mouse"), paint giant snowmen, landscapes, and any scene you could imagine. He enjoyed fast cars, especially the Corvette, and had core memories riding around with Jeanne and their pitbull Cisco. He also had a keen eye for any groundhogs that dared to eat his petunias. Needless to say, the groundhogs didn't last long after that. He looked forward to watching the St. Louis Cardinals and the Fighting Illini, always having been a fan of sports and an athlete himself. He was an original founding member of the Bears and later a member of the Moose. Randy had so many hobbies, gifts and talents that he shared with others and passed down to his kids and grandchildren that will be cherished forever. Most importantly, Randy was a precious man of God. He was baptized as a young boy and grew to be an influential man of faith for his family and his friends. His testimony was one that proved that when we let Christ in our hearts, our lives will transform and make us shine the brightest we ever have. Randy's life and his legacy are reminders that "with God, all things are possible " Matthew 19:26.

Friends and family are invited to pay their respects during the visitation on Wednesday, March 25, 2026, from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM at Sutherland-Garnier Funeral Home in Centralia. A memorial service celebrating Randy's life will follow at 6:00 PM at the funeral home. Private family burial will take place at a later date in Pleasant Hill Cemetery in Dix, IL. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital and will be accepted by the Sutherland-Garnier Funeral Home located at 235 North Sycamore Street Centralia, Illinois 62801, (618)532-3523, who is honored to be of service to Randy's Family. Online condolences may be made to the family by visiting www.sutherlandfuneralhome.com and the Funeral Home Facebook page. To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family please visit our Sympathy Store.