Juan Vasquez (40) of Effingham

Juan Vasquez, 40, of Effingham, passed away at 4:03 p.m. on Friday, October 28, 2016 at Carle Foundation Hospital in Urbana, IL.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Thursday, November 3 at Johnson Funeral Home, 1110 N. Fourth Street, Effingham. Burial will be on Woodlawn Cemetery in Effingham. Visitation will be from 4:00 p.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday at Johnson Funeral Home. Memorials may be made in loving memory of Juan to the family for his children, Samantha, Drew, and Lucas.

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Juan was born on August 29, 1976, in Flora, IL, the son of Juan and Lila (Simmons) Vasquez. He married Jennifer Mathews on November 6, 1998, at Christ’s Church of Effingham, and she survives. Juan Vasquez was a proud father of three who lived for his family and football. He was the co-founder of the Effingham Panthers semi-pro football team. His passion for football lead him to be an outstanding coach and mentor for many youth football players in the community. Juan made a tremendous impact on many young lives through his years of coaching. Many kids looked at Juan as a father figure because he was a great listener, gave great life advice, and was impartial to bias. His other hobbies included boxing and MMA. He was a competitor in every aspect of life. Juan was known for his free spirit, endless drive to achieve his dreams, and his ability to see the potential in others. With his passing Juan left a heroic legacy by providing the gift of life for six people by his organ donation through the Gift of Hope.

Juan is survived by his wife, Jennifer Vasquez of Effingham; daughter, Samantha Mathews of Effingham; sons, Drew Vasquez and Lucas Vasquez, both of Effingham; father, Juan Vasquez of San Antonio, TX; step-father, Larry Braundmeier of Effingham; siblings, Shannon (Reggie) Key of San Antonio, TX, Felix (Sonya) Vasquez, Beth Braundmeier, and Sarah Braundmeier all of Effingham, Juana Vasquez of Nixon, TX, David Vasquez of Orlando, FL, Sonya (Sergio) Torres, Johnathan Vasquez, Chris (Shannon) Waller, and Stephanie (Manuel) Sepeda all of San Antonio, TX, father-in-law and mother-in-law, Jim and Nancy Mathews of Effingham; brothers-in-law, Phil (Joyce) Mathews of Effingham and James (Amanda) Mathews of Surprise, AZ; sister-in-law, Leann (Glen) Kinkelaar of Effingham; and several aunts, uncles, nieces, and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his son, Anthony Vasquez; mother, Lila Simmons-Braundmeier; brother-in-law, Jeffrey Mathews; sister-in-law, Lori Mathews; and nephew, Philip Mathews.