Samuel E. Blisset

Champaign - Samuel Edward Blisset (19) had quietly battled depression for several years. On April 7, 2016, the disease won, and our sweet and silly Sam took his own life. Sam was born January 12, 1997 in Urbana. He was a 2015 graduate of Centennial High School, where he ran cross country and track, and played percussion for the Marching Chargers. He attended Western Illinois University and Parkland College. He was a lifeguard at Sholem Aquatic Center, and played Ultimate Frisbee with several teams. Sam is survived by his parents, Kim and Chuck Bryan of Champaign and Tony and Bridgette Blisset of Springfield, his siblings Kaylee, Tristan, and Charlie Bryan, Braden Powell-Bryan, Gavin Blisset and Jon Thomas, his grandparents Linda Blisset, Patti Bryan, and Joel and Mary Bryan, and his great-grandmothers Jo Gallier and Alice Bryan, and many aunts, uncles, and cousins. He was preceded in death by his sisters Jalen Bryan and Morgan Blisset, and his grandparents Carole Durbin and Allen Blisset. A gathering to celebrate the life of Sam Blisset will be held from 4-8 PM on Tuesday, April 12, 2016 at Sunset's Champaign-Urbana Chapel at 710 N. Neil St. in Champaign. A graveside service will then be held at 10 AM, on Wednesday April 13 at Grandview Memorial Gardens in Champaign. Memorials in his name may be made to the Champaign Centennial Band Boosters at PO Box 6093, Champaign, IL 61826. Please join Sam's family in sharing memories, photos, or video of his life through his tribute wall at www.sunsetfuneralhome.com. If you or someone you know needs help, please contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 or www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org. Please help raise awareness to erase the stigma of mental illness. "I've been suicidal to the point I was out on a ledge and I have pretty bad depression and its tough and it's not for attention. So stop telling people the "boo-hoo"s and the "get over it"s because it's not that easy. Every one of you people that think it is have no idea what it's like to feel so horrible or be so scared that you think killing yourself is the best thing for everyone. It's horrifying. Depression is a disease. A sickness. So treat it like one." - Sam Blisset, 1/23/2016