'A ray of sunshine.' Friends and family remember Raychel Sheridan with candlelight vigil

CANTON − More than 100 people attended a candlelight vigil in Monument Park Thursday evening to honor the life of Raychel Sheridan amid the crackle of Fourth of July fireworks.

Thursday night's gathering came a day after city workers found her body in a nearby park.

Many of those on hand knew Sheridan, 24, of Plain Township, from their years at GlenOak High School. Sheridan graduated from GlenOak in 2018. Some who came didn't personally know her but had friends who knew her or they were saddened by news of her tragic death.

Related: Body of missing woman Raychel Sheridan found; boyfriend Sean Goe taken into custody

The vigil was held steps from a parking lot by Stadium Park Drive NW with the McKinley National Memorial in the background. Vigil organizers put up a poster with pictures of Sheridan that read, "Raychel Mary Sheridan. April 8, 2000. Forever 24." Flowers and candles surrounded the poster. People attending shared their thoughts and messages on two other posters.

"I hope you're dancing in a field of sunflowers," said one message. "Rest in peace, beautiful girl."

Another friend wrote, "Rest easy Sunshine. Thank you for being a light in the dark for so many people in this world and standing up for the ones you loved deeply. You'll be forever missed angel."

One of the vigil organizers, Jossie Blanc, said, "If anyone knows Raychel, this is what she would want."

Sheridan's live-in boyfriend Sean Goe, whom the Stark County Sheriff's office called "a suspect in connection with an ongoing homicide investigation," was arraigned Friday morning in Canton Municipal Court. He has been charged with felony burglary and grand theft of a firearm and the misdemeanors of domestic violence and criminal damaging.

Prosecutors have not yet filed any homicide charges related to Sheridan's death.

Friends and family mourn Raychel Sheridan

Celina Lindsay, a GlenOak classmate of Sheridan, said the vigil was the type of event that Sheridan would have wanted.

"She didn't want people to be sad," Lindsay said. "She wanted there to be a celebration for her."

Jennifer Nelson, 25, of Plain Township who graduated from GlenOak a year before Sheridan did, said she and Sheridan often ate lunch at the same table in the school cafeteria.

"Whenever, I was having a bad day, she would cheer me up," said Nelson, who called Sheridan a "ray of sunshine" and a "very down-to-earth girl."

About the vigil, Nelson said, "It's such a beautiful tribute to what she is as a person. It just really encapsulates her personality. Shows what she is as a person. It's a great turnout. A lot of people here. A lot of people came. People want justice for her."

"She's one of the people that everyone gravitated towards," said Abi Yacko of Canton.

Jennifer Yarnell, Sheridan's friend, neighbor and former co-worker, who attended the vigil wrote before in a text message that Sheridan was a "bubbly ball of energy. She lit up any place she went. My upstairs neighbor told me that she was looking for a cup of browns sugar and knocked on everyone's door and Raychel was the only one who answered."

Myia Pastor, a friend of Sheridan's family, said Sheridan "was kind and loving. She loved everybody. She was a beautiful soul."

Pastor's husband, Larry Pastor said, "I appreciate everyone who came out here. The support is awesome."

Holly Clapsaddle of Canton, brought a framed picture of Sheridan and a synthetic sunflower that Sheridan, who loved sunflowers, had given to her last year. Clapsaddle helped hold up a cloth lantern that said, "In memory of Raychel. In memory of those who have left us, may this light rise to the heavens to shine with you through all eternity."

Clapsaddle said, "She meant a lot to all of us. ... Girl, lift to the sky."

Reach Robert at robert.wang@cantonrep.com.

X formerly Twitter: @rwangREP.

This article originally appeared on The Repository: Friends and family members of Raychel Sheridan hold vigil