Shawn Scheel

Age 67 of Wilmington, Illinois, died Saturday, June 29, 2024 at Riverside Medical Center in Kankakee, Illinois.

Born August 25, 1956 in Joliet, Illinois, Shawn Russell is a son of Alice (nee Henkelman) and the late Vernon "Skip" Scheel. He was raised and educated in Wilmington and graduated from Wilmington High School with the Class of 1974. Shawn worked as an operator for several years with Glidden-Durkee in Channahon, Illinois, RKW in Orion, Illinois, and Henkelman Excavating in Prophetstown, Illinois. He transitioned to truck driving, and was employed by 84 Lumber in Lemont, Illinois and Williams Concrete in Coal City, Illinois. He was also a familiar face at The Rustic Inn in Wilmington where he bartended.

Shawn was an avid Chicago White Sox supporter, making several trips to Arizona for their Spring Training, and took great pleasure in taking rides on his Harley Davidson or going fishing. He was also a great fan of Jeopardy and made the most of his free time metal scrapping. Shawn was a big supporter of Wilmington Wildcat Football, and will be remembered for his scaffolding bleachers in the North Endzone and for being the first to fire off the BOOMS after Wildcat touchdowns. His celebrations weren't originally embraced by the school administration, but now the booms are a staple of Wildcat home games. But it was with family and friends where Shawn was most happy. He had a special relationship with his mother, rarely missing a morning cup of coffee or their afternoon beer together. And Shawn was close with all of his nieces and nephews, as well as their children, and will be affectionately remembered as "Uncle Ornery".

Survivors include his mother, Alice Scheel of Wilmington, and six brothers and sisters: Shane (Madonna) Scheel, Sherl Randles, Scott (Kay) Scheel, Sonja Castillo, Stacy (Adam) Egizio, and Sloan (Jennifer) Scheel; ten nieces and nephews: Leya (Jon) Mitchell, Cort (Kayla) Scheel, Stephanie (Scott) Cherney, Amy Castillo (Jeremy Wells), Emily Castillo, Dallas (Mitch) Bastillo, Kelly (Noah) Kirst, Madison Scheel (Brad Abderhalden), Ava Scheel, and Jodi Yapp (Noel Meekma); and twelve great nieces and great nephews: Chloe, Nicholas and Anthony Wells, David Shawn Castillo-Neese, Ian, Lincoln and Finn Mitchell, Ruby and Vera Scheel, Nora and Vivian Cherney, and Mato Bastillo.

Shawn was preceded in death by his father, Vernon "Skip" Scheel, one sister, Sally Scheel, two brothers-in-law: Jason Randles and David Castillo; and one great nephew, Noah.

Cremation rites are being accorded, and the family will receive friends for a memorial visitation at Baskerville Funeral Home, 700 East Kahler Road, in Wilmington on Sunday, August 25, 2024 from 12:00 p.m. until the time of memorial service at 2:00 p.m. The family invites you to wear White Sox, Blackhawks, or Harley Davidson attire in memory of Shawn.

Private inurnment will be at Mount Olivet Catholic Cemetery in Wilmington.

Preferred memorials may be made as gifts in Shawn's memory to Kuzma Care Cottage, 635 South Main Street, Wilmington, Illinois 60481.

Family and friends are encouraged to sign the online guest book, upload photographs, and share Shawn's memorial page via social media.

Cremation services and memorial arrangements have been made under the direction and care of Reeves & Baskerville Funeral Homes and Crematory (815) 476-2181.