Briiker Jesse Furio Rhodes' Obituary
Briiker Jesse Furio Rhodes passed peacefully in the arms of his loving parents on January 10, 2025, at OSF Children’s Hospital in Peoria, IL. Briiker was our Christmas miracle, born on December 24, 2024, at Decatur Memorial Hospital. During his seventeen short days on Earth, he touched many lives and was deeply loved by family and friends. His life, though brief, was a precious gift that will live on forever.
Briiker is the beloved son of Brycen Rhodes and Alexsis Gramigna of Decatur, IL. His parents have made it their mission to honor his memory by advocating for and spreading awareness about necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) to expecting parents.
He is survived by his loving siblings, Anelleigh and Braizleigh; paternal grandparents Eric (Brooke) Rhodes of Peoria and Jamie Taylor of Decatur; paternal great-grandparents Bob and Suellen Taylor of Decatur, and Sherri Rhodes of Long Creek; maternal grandparents Jennifer Bolsen-Gramigna and William Gramigna III of Decatur; maternal great-grandmother Jenai Thompson; and great-great-grandparents Jack and Joyce Keller of Decatur.
Briiker also leaves behind aunts Austee Gramigna (Kyler), Tenley Fleming, and Bristol Taylor, all of Decatur; uncles; Logan Rhodes of Peoria and William Gramigna IV of Decatur as well as many other aunts, uncles, and cousins. The family would like to extend a special thank you to his great-aunts, Charly Mpundu and Sarah Swafford, who advocated for him every step of the way.
He was greeted in Heaven with open arms by his maternal great-grandfather, William Gramigna II; paternal great-grandfather, Jesse Rhodes; paternal great-grandmother, Dee Dee; and maternal great-grandmother, Cheryl Lofland (“Nana”).
Funeral services will be held at Graceland-Fairlawn Funeral Home on Sunday, January 19, 2025. Visitation will take place from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m., followed by formal services at 3:00 p.m. Condolences may be shared with the family at www.gracelandfairlawn.com.
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