Thaddeus Sandwell

Thaddeus 'Ted' Sandwell Champaign - Thaddeus "Ted" Eugene Sandwell, 89, of Urbana passed away Nov. 11, 2025, at VA Illiana Health Care in Danville. He was born on July 11, 1936, in Urbana, the son of John Maurice and Rita (Gordon) Sandwell. He married Mary Lou Stein on July 11, 1981, in Villa Grove. Ted is survived by his wife, Mary; children, Chris Sandwell of Champaign, Vickie Hart of Philo, Michele (Brian) Kowalski of Spring Grove, Lisa (Troy David) Withrow of Philo, and Bill Campbell (Aubrey) of Lincoln. Also surviving are sisters Judy Kay Brownfield of Urbana, Mary Jo Edmison of Monticello, Susan Schmidt of Philo, and sister-in-law Grace Strode of Murfreesboro, Tenn., along with eight grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandson. He is preceded in death by his parents, daughter, Debby Young, son-in-law, Bryan Hart, and brothers-in-law Ed Bartell, Doug Strode, Dick Brownfield and Dan Schmidt. Ted was a proud Marine, who upon graduating from Champaign High School in 1954, began his military service and was honorably discharged in 1957. He farmed for many years in the Philo area and spent the last several years of his career driving for Extreme Transportation. A highlight of that time was driving one of the tour trucks for Brooks and Dunn for over seven years. Ted proudly served on the American Legion Honor Guard for many years. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, Nov. 17, 2025, at St. Matthew Lutheran Church, 2200 S. Philo Road, Urbana, IL 61802. Visitation will be from 10-11 a.m. at the church. Burial will follow at Kopmann Cemetery, Royal. Memorials may be made to St. Matthew Lutheran Church or the Danville VA. The family would like to thank all of the staff at the Danville VA for all of their wonderful, kind, and loving care. Condolences may be made at www.renner-wikoffchapel.com.