Marcus Issel - Actor & Musician
Class of 2006 & friend of Jarrett
Class of 2006 & friend of Jarrett
MARCUS T. ISSEL - Age, 19 of rural Maple Park, IL, died
tragically in an auto accident a few miles from home,
Wednesday evening, November 22, 2006.
He was born June 24, 1987 in Geneva, IL, the son of
Tim and Vicki (Richardson) Issel. Marcus grew up near
Kaneland High School where he graduated with the
class of 2006.
He had a natural gift for acting and enjoyed being on stage
with Kaneland productions, including a play he directed his
senior year. On-stage and off, Marcus’ smile and sense of
humor had a way of putting everyone at ease. Those same
qualities came to life in the movies he created. Hand-in-
hand with theater, Marcus also loved music. He picked up
a guitar in Junior High and after a few lessons in DeKalb,
began jamming with friends. He played with several groups
through high school, one of which, played the opening set
for members of the former Lynyrd Skynyrd Band at a concert
in Wisconsin. In the world of rock music, Marcus’ tastes
were broad but he especially liked Red Hot Chili Peppers.
Outside of theater, the thing Marcus most enjoyed at Kaneland
were his opportunities to volunteer as a mentor/tutor for
challenged students.
SURVIVORS: He is survived by his father, Tim and two
brothers: Ryan (Bryn) Issel of Oak Park, IL (and their son
Benjamin and daughter Ava) and David Issel of Maple Park.
His maternal grandmother Helen Masters of Aurora, IL; His
paternal grandparents, Harold (Jeanne) Issel of Geneva, IL;
two aunts, Stephanie (Richard) Moffitt of Kaneville, IL,
Patricia (Tom) Frank of Naperville, IL; one uncle, Wayne
Richardson of Aurora, IL; Several cousins: Ty (Kim) Moffitt of
Gainesville, FL, Kevin Moffitt of Kaneville, IL, Michelle Moffitt
(Jason), also of Kaneville, Matt (Tina) Frank of Eau Claire,
WI, Christine (Matt) Brennan of Naperville, IL
In addition, Marcus leaves a family of good friends in whose
hearts, he will always be on “center stage”, his favorite
place in all the world.
He is preceded in death by his mother, Vicki (2004), two
infant sisters, Heather and Gail and his maternal
grandfather, John Richardson and paternal grandmother,
Mildred Issel.
VISITATION / FUNERAL: Friends may call at visitation
hours from 2-5:30pm with a service of remembrance and
prayer at 6 pm on Sunday, November 26, 2006 at Conley
Funeral Home, 116 W. Pierce St., Elburn, IL and Monday,
November 27, at the Geneva Lutheran Church from 10am
until 10:45am. Funeral services will be held at 11am with
the Rev. Gordon Straw officiating joined by Rev. Paul
Hammar, family friend and former pastor. Internment will
follow at River Hills Cemetery, Batavia, IL.
MEMORIAL: A memorial has been established in Marcus’
name to benefit the theater program at Kaneland High
School among other charities. Memorials checks may be
made to the Marcus Issel Memorial and mailed in care of P.O.
Box 66, Elburn, IL 60119. Tributes and memories may also
be forwarded to the family at the same address or through
his obituary at www.conleycare.com.
The above obituary was copied off of Conley's website by me
tragically in an auto accident a few miles from home,
Wednesday evening, November 22, 2006.
He was born June 24, 1987 in Geneva, IL, the son of
Tim and Vicki (Richardson) Issel. Marcus grew up near
Kaneland High School where he graduated with the
class of 2006.
He had a natural gift for acting and enjoyed being on stage
with Kaneland productions, including a play he directed his
senior year. On-stage and off, Marcus’ smile and sense of
humor had a way of putting everyone at ease. Those same
qualities came to life in the movies he created. Hand-in-
hand with theater, Marcus also loved music. He picked up
a guitar in Junior High and after a few lessons in DeKalb,
began jamming with friends. He played with several groups
through high school, one of which, played the opening set
for members of the former Lynyrd Skynyrd Band at a concert
in Wisconsin. In the world of rock music, Marcus’ tastes
were broad but he especially liked Red Hot Chili Peppers.
Outside of theater, the thing Marcus most enjoyed at Kaneland
were his opportunities to volunteer as a mentor/tutor for
challenged students.
SURVIVORS: He is survived by his father, Tim and two
brothers: Ryan (Bryn) Issel of Oak Park, IL (and their son
Benjamin and daughter Ava) and David Issel of Maple Park.
His maternal grandmother Helen Masters of Aurora, IL; His
paternal grandparents, Harold (Jeanne) Issel of Geneva, IL;
two aunts, Stephanie (Richard) Moffitt of Kaneville, IL,
Patricia (Tom) Frank of Naperville, IL; one uncle, Wayne
Richardson of Aurora, IL; Several cousins: Ty (Kim) Moffitt of
Gainesville, FL, Kevin Moffitt of Kaneville, IL, Michelle Moffitt
(Jason), also of Kaneville, Matt (Tina) Frank of Eau Claire,
WI, Christine (Matt) Brennan of Naperville, IL
In addition, Marcus leaves a family of good friends in whose
hearts, he will always be on “center stage”, his favorite
place in all the world.
He is preceded in death by his mother, Vicki (2004), two
infant sisters, Heather and Gail and his maternal
grandfather, John Richardson and paternal grandmother,
Mildred Issel.
VISITATION / FUNERAL: Friends may call at visitation
hours from 2-5:30pm with a service of remembrance and
prayer at 6 pm on Sunday, November 26, 2006 at Conley
Funeral Home, 116 W. Pierce St., Elburn, IL and Monday,
November 27, at the Geneva Lutheran Church from 10am
until 10:45am. Funeral services will be held at 11am with
the Rev. Gordon Straw officiating joined by Rev. Paul
Hammar, family friend and former pastor. Internment will
follow at River Hills Cemetery, Batavia, IL.
MEMORIAL: A memorial has been established in Marcus’
name to benefit the theater program at Kaneland High
School among other charities. Memorials checks may be
made to the Marcus Issel Memorial and mailed in care of P.O.
Box 66, Elburn, IL 60119. Tributes and memories may also
be forwarded to the family at the same address or through
his obituary at www.conleycare.com.
The above obituary was copied off of Conley's website by me
MARCUS in a picture from the yearbook
MARCUS, the
Prom King
2006 - jumping
for joy!
Prom King
2006 - jumping
for joy!
The Queen and
the King of the
Prom 2006
the King of the
Prom 2006
Message written by Marcus Issel on
Jarrett's locker in March 2003
Jarrett's locker in March 2003
Time marches on . . .
Tuesday, November 22, 2011 - Hard to believe that it's
been FIVE years since Marcus died on Francis Road near
the high school. I'm sure his friends don't need my reminder
of this very sad anniversary. A few years ago, I drove by the
site of the accident - a single white cross marked the spot. I
wonder if it's still there considering that it was in a corn field.
I'll have to check that out.
Every year, Marcus appeared at the cemetery to pay his
respects to Jarrett and Andrew. When Marcus showed up the
second year after they died (2005), he had the Mohawk, and
I took a couple of pictures which I lost for a few years when
my hard drive crashed. I was totally thrilled when I found
them again!
At some point during the summer of 2007, I noticed what
Marcus had written on Jarrett's locker (on the left). To say
the least, it certainly stunned me - especially the part where
he writes: "...but I can live my life to the fullest like you
always did..." breaks my heart. Who knew his life would
end so soon?
I'd been walking past that locker for four years, and although I
had read everything a long time ago, I didn't see it any more.
More than likely, Jarrett gave me a slight "prod" because all
of a sudden, I finally noticed it and knew what I had to do.
It's so tragic that both of those "live wires" are dead - Jarrett
and Marcus - what a couple of characters! There is a rumor
that another "jackass" video exists with both Marcus and
Jarrett in it. I'd LOVE to see it. Wonder where it is??
Probably on YouTube.
I hope his friends talk about him and remember him especially
on the anniversary of his death. God bless you, Marcus.
You were truly a special person. We miss you. see ya later,
djb
been FIVE years since Marcus died on Francis Road near
the high school. I'm sure his friends don't need my reminder
of this very sad anniversary. A few years ago, I drove by the
site of the accident - a single white cross marked the spot. I
wonder if it's still there considering that it was in a corn field.
I'll have to check that out.
Every year, Marcus appeared at the cemetery to pay his
respects to Jarrett and Andrew. When Marcus showed up the
second year after they died (2005), he had the Mohawk, and
I took a couple of pictures which I lost for a few years when
my hard drive crashed. I was totally thrilled when I found
them again!
At some point during the summer of 2007, I noticed what
Marcus had written on Jarrett's locker (on the left). To say
the least, it certainly stunned me - especially the part where
he writes: "...but I can live my life to the fullest like you
always did..." breaks my heart. Who knew his life would
end so soon?
I'd been walking past that locker for four years, and although I
had read everything a long time ago, I didn't see it any more.
More than likely, Jarrett gave me a slight "prod" because all
of a sudden, I finally noticed it and knew what I had to do.
It's so tragic that both of those "live wires" are dead - Jarrett
and Marcus - what a couple of characters! There is a rumor
that another "jackass" video exists with both Marcus and
Jarrett in it. I'd LOVE to see it. Wonder where it is??
Probably on YouTube.
I hope his friends talk about him and remember him especially
on the anniversary of his death. God bless you, Marcus.
You were truly a special person. We miss you. see ya later,
djb
LAST YEAR - NOVEMBER 22, 2010 - It took me quite a few years to find these pictures of Marcus. They were
taken on March 3, 2005 when the members of Jarrett's class were juniors. It really bugged me that I thought
they were gone forever in the great computer crash of January 2007.
After I tried the recovery disc in the new computer, I was shocked and amazed and THRILLED to see Mohawk
Marcus again!! In the bottom corner of the photo on the left, you can see Andrew's car. He loved that car
because it had a CD player (now it's all mine!).
It's only been 4 years since Marcus died, and yet it seems much, much longer than that. I still remember him
speaking at Andrew and Jarrett's funeral. He was so hysterically funny. It helped to lighten the sad and tragic
mood for a few minutes. We laughed.
Little did we know that within a few short years, he'd be joining them on the other side -- wherever THAT is?!?!
Marcus definitely had the time of his life. later, djb
taken on March 3, 2005 when the members of Jarrett's class were juniors. It really bugged me that I thought
they were gone forever in the great computer crash of January 2007.
After I tried the recovery disc in the new computer, I was shocked and amazed and THRILLED to see Mohawk
Marcus again!! In the bottom corner of the photo on the left, you can see Andrew's car. He loved that car
because it had a CD player (now it's all mine!).
It's only been 4 years since Marcus died, and yet it seems much, much longer than that. I still remember him
speaking at Andrew and Jarrett's funeral. He was so hysterically funny. It helped to lighten the sad and tragic
mood for a few minutes. We laughed.
Little did we know that within a few short years, he'd be joining them on the other side -- wherever THAT is?!?!
Marcus definitely had the time of his life. later, djb
Four years later. . . . Mohawk Marcus returns!
In 2006, I created this page for Marcus. It's been 5 years since he died. Finally found
the missing Mohawk photos (at the bottom of the page).
the missing Mohawk photos (at the bottom of the page).