Jonathan Wallace

With reverence for his eternal soul, we tearfully inform you that Jonathan G. Wallace departed from the earthly realm on January 18, 2005. Born in Danville on January 1, 1976, to Richard G. and Marcella J. (Wallen) Wallace, Jonathan is loved dearly by all who know him. In addition to his sparkling blue eyes and joyful, engaging smile, Jonathan had a personality and will of fire and determination. As a child, he was into everything: he especially enjoyed making fortresses in the sandbox, riding his bike for hours, swimming, and playing baseball. Despite his prognosis as an individual with neuromuscular compromise, Jonathan lived a full and active life. He was a member of Second Church of Christ. In addition to being the Danville High School 1994 Senior Class President, he completed a bachelor degree at Southern Illinois University, and was in the process of pursuing a master degree in hospitality administration. He also sang and read daily, eagerly awaited the start of baseball season, and regularly attended church and Jimmy Buffet concerts. From the time that he was a young adult and already experiencing decline in physical agility, he has harvested will and energy from his condition that has led to considerable improvements in the quality of life for other individuals, especially for those who live with physical limitations. An advocate for disabled individuals, he prompted litigation to ensure that public facilities, such as the local high school, be accessible to all individuals and compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act. He held the intention and vision to establish equitable and more effective means of travel for the disabled individual. Additionally, he volunteered to serve as a mentor for high school students. For the individuals closest to Jonathan, the power of patience, endurance, and strength of character has been revealed, and each has come to humbly and graciously acknowledge the special role that we play in each other's lives, despite circumstances. Jonathan was an unbelievable blessing to his family and to members of his community, his situation has forced us to abandon our ideas of normal, to see that we all have a vital contribution, to realize that love is not limited by what we see, and to know that the value of our life experienced is not lessened by the particular package in which we arrive. Jonathan has helped us to understand that really, there are no obstacles, just opportunities. And in this transformation, we no longer see the abnormal, but realize the extraordinary. Jonathan was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents and paternal grandfather. Survivors include his parents, his paternal grandmother, Billie Wallace, of Avon Park, FL; a sister, Alexis Bergan-Guzman, of Chicago, IL; a sister, Jamie Wallace, of Ellisville, MS, and a brother, Richard G. Wallace, Jr., of Lawton, OK, and a very special friend, Chad Wallace of Danville.