Brayden D. Weck

Brayden Weck, 21, of Palestine, IL, passed away unexpectedly on November 24, 2021, at Crawford Memorial Hospital in Robinson, IL. He was born January 3, 2000, in Robinson, IL, the son of Kimberly Weck & Steven Garrard. His diminutive size at birth led many in his family to call him "Short Fry", a nickname he never outgrew! As a young boy, he attended Hutsonville Grade School before making a move to Palestine High School, where he would graduate in 2019. Many of his classmates referred to him as "Camo", seeing as this die-hard hunter always wore camouflage gear to school. It didn't matter what Brayden was hunting: deer, rabbit, pheasant, goose, dove, quail, turkey, or coyote; he lived for the thrill of the kill. When he didn't have a gun or bow in his hands, chances were that they were holding on to a rod and reel. He loved to fish and enjoyed countless hours casting in his waders or on a boat. An avid outdoorsman, he found joy in 4-wheeling and camping alongside his family.

They will remember his love of sports, having played him in innumerable bowling matches and basketball games. He also had a special place in his heart for baseball, to the point that he was the coach's helper for the Kennedy Auto Little League team. Recently, he could be found cheering on his nieces and nephews during their softball and baseball games and followed PHS/HHS football as well. For years, he rooted for his friends and family as they took part in demolition derbies and just recently had the opportunity to ride shotgun in a derby car, which was one of the great thrills of his life.

He didn't have to be thrilled to have a good time. He enjoyed the quiet and simple things of life, like loving on his dog, Big Girl, or walking around town with his friends. It was evident that, though Brayden lived a short life, he packed it full of genuine living. May we follow his lead, recognizing that it's not the years of our life that count; it's the life in our years.

He is survived by his parents, Kimberly Weck (Palestine, IL) and Steven & Lori Garrard (Palestine, IL); by his brothers & sisters-in-law, Bradley & Mary Weck (Palestine, IL), Ethan & Kenzie Garrard (Palestine, IL), Austin Garrard (Palestine, IL), Nate & Destiny Garrard (Palestine, IL); by his step-brother, Steven Johnson (Pekin, IL); by his nieces and nephews, Kaydence Garrard, Keirstyn Garrard, Owen Garrard, Kandice Garrard, Gracelynn Garrard, Paisley Garrard, Hunter Garrard, Abigail Weck, Kaelynn Keith, Anthony Harrison, Madison Weck, Waylon Weck, Daniel Barnbrook, David Barnbrook; by his uncle Garland & Robin Murphy (Temple, TX); by his aunts, Angie & Robert Clay (Bridgeport, IL), Dawn & Andy Brown (Russelville, IL), Carrie Weck (Palestine, IL), Sharon Janney (Martinsville, IL), Rebecca Carter (NM), and Helen Cooper (Martinsville, IL); by his maternal grandpa, Robert Weck (Robinson, IL) and by his paternal grandma, Sue Keenan (Robinson, IL); as well as many family and friends that he loved dearly.

He was preceded in death by his maternal grandma, Donna Weck; by his paternal grandpa, Ernest "Wayne" Garrard; by his brother, Evan Scott Garrard; by his uncles, Shane Lavern Garrard and Scott Murphy.

A time of visitation will be held from 4:00-7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, December 1st, at the Goodwine Funeral Home in Palestine. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, December 2nd, at the funeral home with Pastor Paul Gray officiating. A live stream of his service will be available on Goodwine Funeral Homes' Facebook page or by going to https://www.goodwinefuneralhomes.com/live-stream/live-stream. Burial will be in the Mount Pleasant Cemetery, rural Annapolis, IL. Memorial contributions may be made to his memorial fund, with checks made payable to "Goodwine Funeral Homes".