Monroe County coroner IDs men killed in two-vehicle accident south of Waterloo
The Monroe County Coroner on Wednesday released the identification of the men killed in a two-vehicle crash south of Waterloo last week.
Jeremy V. Hicks, 44, and Bud G. Rhodes Jr., 44, both of Red Bud, were identified by Coroner Bob Hill, who used dental records to ID both men.
“On Wednesday, positive comparisons to both antemortem and postmortem x-rays were made,” Hill stated in a press release.
Hicks was driving the car and Rhodes Jr. was the passenger.
According to Illinois State Police, one vehicle — which Hicks and Rhodes Jr. were in — left the road on Illinois 3 south of Sportsman Road on Thursday, July 6, after it struck a second vehicle in the rear bumper. The first car struck a tree and caught fire.
Police responded to the scene at approximately 6:29 p.m. The two occupants of the first car — Hicks and Rhodes, Jr. — were pronounced dead at the scene.
“The occupants were in a 2017 Ford passenger car that was traveling southbound on Illinois 3 and struck the back of a van traveling in the same direction, the impact caused the vehicle to leave the roadway and strike a tree which resulted in the 2017 Ford to catch fire,” the press release noted.
On Friday, July 7, two family members went to the Red Bud Police Department and reported the two males missing, according to the press release.
The cause of the accident remains under investigation by the Illinois State Police.
Funeral arrangements for Hicks
Visitation for Jeremy V. Hicks will be from 9-11 a.m. Saturday, July 15, at Concord Presbyterian Church, 338 Covington Drive, Waterloo. Services will take place at 11 a.m. Saturday, July 15, at Concord Presbyterian Church with Pastor Brian Sandifer officiating.
According to his obituary from Leesman Funeral Home in Millstadt, Hicks was born Aug. 30, 1978, in Belleville.
He enjoyed watching and playing softball and baseball and was an avid St. Louis Cardinals, St. Louis Blues, and Notre Dame Fighting Irish fan. He also enjoyed throwing washers, playing golf and barbecuing. Most of all he loved spending time with his daughter and coaching her in softball.
He is survived by his wife, Sandra Roberts-Hicks; his daughter, Peyten Hicks; his stepchildren, Aaron Roberts, Kaileah Sweet, and Keegan Sweet; his parents, Jeff (Judy) Hicks; his sister, Jody (Brian) Lurk; his nephew, Dexter Lurk; and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, other relatives and many dear friends.
He was preceded in death by his parent-in-laws, Harry (Sharry) King.
In lieu of customary remembrances, the family requests with gratitude that memorial contributions be directed to an education fund that will be set up for Peyten Hicks.
Leesman Funeral Home handled the arrangements.
Funeral services for Rhodes, Jr.
Visitation for Bud Rhodes, Jr. will be from 4-8 p.m. Wednesday, July 19, and 9-10:45 a.m. Thursday, July 20, at Pechacek Funeral Homes, 1340 W. Market St., Red Bud.
A memorial mass will take place at 11 a.m. Thursday, July 20, at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, 519 Hazel St., Red Bud, with Msgr. Dennis Schaefer officiating.
According to his obituary from Pechacek Funeral Homes, Rhodes, Jr. was born Aug. 26, 1978, in Red Bud to Bud G. and Grace (nee Kipping) Rhodes, Sr.
Rhodes, Jr. had worked as carpenter and was of the Catholic faith.
The obituary stated Rhodes, Jr. was an avid sports fan and enjoyed watching St. Louis Cardinals games, St. Louis Blues games and Detroit Loins games. He was a talented musician and played the guitar and also sang. He enjoyed swimming, diving and jumping off cliffs.
Rhodes, Jr. is survived by his mother, Grace (Jerry) Garris of Red Bud; three children, Graden Presler of Prairie du Rocher, Austin Hill of Sarasota, Florida, and Jayden LaChance of Smithton; his brother, Charlie Helmholt of Belleville; his grandmother, Jacqueline Rhodes of Dupo; and several aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.
He was preceded in death by his father; two grandfathers, Bud G. Rhodes and Stanford (Patricia) Kipping; and his grandmother, Anna Mae Kipping.
BND reporter Ahmad Lathan contributed to this story.
