Family mourns Cahokia Heights boy who died in two-car crash
A traffic accident that claimed the life of a 9-year-old Cahokia Heights boy has created much sadness at the loss and started a whirlwind of memories to surface for his family.
DeMarko Nelson Jr. loved life and all the excitement of sports, toys, trips and learning.
“MJ” is the nickname he went by and he was the centerpiece of joy for his family.
“I saw him every day,” said his grandfather, Isiah Sanders. “He had the biggest smile and laughing was something he always did. He was a happy child. We wanted him to be happy and all of us did all we could to make sure he was happy.
“He was loved by so many people and everyone is feeling tremendous pain right now. It just seems so unreal ‘MJ’ is not here with us.”
DeMarko was a rear seat passenger in one of two cars involved in a collision at the intersection of Camp Jackson Road and Illinois 3 on Sept. 16 in Cahokia Heights.
“That day has changed things forever for those of us who loved him so much,” Sanders said.
The family has to live without seeing him graduate from high school, go to his prom, choose a first date, get married or have children.
But his big personality and determination to succeed in life makes his family know he would have graduated from high school, with all of the best wishes for tremendous success from all of his teachers. His family believes he would have chosen a good partner to share his life with, and would have been an exemplary husband and father.
His greatest desire was to play football at the professional level and that’s something his family also believes he would have accomplished.
These are the things that they are holding onto as they remember “MJ,” who was a fourth-grader at Penniman Elementary School in Cahokia Heights.
Every day since the crash has been grueling for them, Sanders said.
“My grandson was an entertainer,” Sanders said. “He loved to dance. I was with him 24/seven. He lived at my house. Every day when I went home from work, he was there.”
“It’s really hard right now. I am trying to keep from breaking down. Words can’t explain how I am feeling,” he said.
Family trips
Sanders said his grandson really enjoyed taking trips with his family.
“The last trip we took was to Branson. We went there the last weekend in July,” Sanders said.
Along with being with his family, “MJ” loved to play football.
“Football was his number one sport,” Sanders said. “Even though he wasn’t on the football team this year, he always went outside and practiced on his kicking and running and a few other things.”
Sanders said “MJ” had an incredible amount of determination and focus to win in life. He said it was amazing for someone so young to know what he wanted and then to be in relentless pursuit of his goals.
“Without a doubt, we know he would have been great at whatever he did.”
Funeral services
The funeral for DeMarko Nelson Jr. was held on Friday at the Power of Change Christian Center at 2348 Jerome Lane in Cahokia Heights.
