Alex Mcmahon

Charles Alexander McMahon, 25, of Westville, Illinois, peacefully passed away Sunday, Oct. 9, 2016, at home surrounded by loving family after a five-and-a-half-year battle with cancer. He was born Jan. 20, 1991, in Urbana, Illinois, to Mike and Lori (Wilson) McMahon. Alex attended St. Mary's Grade School and Westville High School. In high school he played on back-to-back state runner-up football teams and finished sixth in the state 100-meter dash. He continued his education at McKendree University in Lebanon, Illinois, from which he graduated in December 2015 with a bachelor's degree in athletic training. He fulfilled his studies and spent four seasons as a punter on the McKendree football team with his longest punt being an impressive 68 yards. He was selected to the 2011 1st Team pre-season All-American squad by Sporting News magazine. Alex was such a strong and determined young man that he would receive chemotherapy during the week and still play football on Saturday. He proudly passed his Illinois State Board of Certification for Athletic Trainers in June 2016. McKendree University staff and students were supportive and encouraging throughout his years there. Alex was a great friend, son and an inspiration to all. He enjoyed spending time with friends Tanner and Ali DeLaurier and Josh Pruitt. He loved the outdoors and nature, having spent a final trip fulfilling his bucket list in Yosemite National Park, San Francisco, Portland, Wyoming and Las Vegas. Alex will be sadly missed by his sister, Kelli (Josh) Howard of Westville; twin nieces, Alex and Ryann Howard of Westville; and aunts, uncles and cousins in Illinois, Indiana, Florida, Kentucky, California and Oregon. He was preceded in death by maternal grandparents Jess and Louise Wilson and paternal grandparents Charles and Betty McMahon from Westville. A sincere thank-you to Dr. Malhotra, Rachel Janesky, Cheryl Sullivan, Dr. Labayog, Dr. Soni, the entire Bobette Steely USMC Cancer Center staff, Lincare of Danville and Iroquois Memorial Hospice for excellent care. A Mass of Christian Burial will be conducted at 10 a.m. Friday, Oct. 14 at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Westville by Fr. David Erickson. Alex will be laid to rest at Resurrection Cemetery in Danville. Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 13 at Sunset Funeral Home & Cremation Center, 3940 N. Vermilion in Danville. The rosary will be said prior to visitation at 3:30 p.m. at the funeral home. Memorials can be made to the McMahon family so they can help further projects and education at The Bobette Steely Hegeler Cancer Care Center in Alex's name. Please join his family in sharing memories on his tribute wall at www.sunsetfuneralhome.com.