Jordan Elizabeth Ristau

Jordan was born in Springfield, Illinois on May 30, 2003, to Scott and Allison (Patterson) Ristau. Jordan grew up in Chatham, Illinois with her parents and her older brother, Jarrid.

She graduated from Glenwood High School, Chatham, Illinois in 2021. While attending High School, Jordan volunteered at the Chatham Area Public Library. Jordan was baptized in 2012 and became a member of Lakeside Christian Church. She also served in the nursery, taking care of infants during church services. She was a senior at Bradley University and, in the Spring of 2025, was to receive her Bachelor of Science degree in Animation, with a minor in User Experience Design. During the summers, Jordan worked as a Graphic Design Intern at FrontlineCo in 2024 and as a Student Worker at the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency in 2022 and 2023.

Jordan had a wide variety of interests and hobbies, including swimming, biking, fencing, hiking, and playing the trumpet. She was a talented artist, expressing herself and creating beautiful things through various mediums such as drawing, painting, sculpting, and needlepoint. Jordan was interested in Japanese culture and art, and loved learning new things. She was passionate about art and animation. Her passion can be seen in the art work displayed in her portfolio at https://jristau.myportfolio.com/

Music was a big part of Jordan’s life and she enjoyed a wide range of musical styles ranging from Pokémon game soundtracks to Twenty One-Pilots and Metallica. She also liked Jazz and musical theater, especially The Phantom of the Opera.

Jordan was a beloved daughter, sister, granddaughter, niece, and friend. She had a deep bond with her older brother, Jarrid. Jordan cherished the four-year, committed relationship she had with her boyfriend, Byron. She was devoted to her friends, especially Katie, Hannah, and Allison. Jordan always made her friends feel valued and important. She expressed genuine concern for the happiness and well-being of her friends through personal and individual interactions and empathetic conversation. Jordan also loved animals, especially her two cats: Zorua and Umbreon.

She was kind, gentle, caring, loyal, tender-hearted, compassionate, and brave. Jordan was able to encourage others even while battling her own feelings of discouragement.

Jordan was preceded in death by her grandfathers, John Ristau and Thomas Patterson.

She is survived by her parents, Scott and Allison (Patterson) Ristau of Chatham; brother, Jarrid Ristau; grandmothers, Margaret Ristau of Moline, IL, Vicky Patterson of Broken Arrow, OK, and Jean Ristau of Geneseo, IL; and many aunts, uncles, cousins, and dear friends.

Funeral Ceremony and Visitation: 4:00 p.m. on Thursday, March 6, 2025, at Butler Funeral Home -Chatham, 8855 State Route 4, Chatham, with Rev. Jon Morrissette officiating. Those who wish to view the livestream of the service may do so by visiting https://www.facebook.com/ButlerFuneralHomes/

A Visitation will follow until 6:00 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Animal Protective League in Springfield, IL, or the Humane Society of Central Illinois.

Jordan's Funeral Ceremony as shared on Thursday, March 6th, 2025:

Celebrating Jordan Elizabeth Ristau

as spoken by Pastor Jon Morrissette

Song #1: “18 Summers" by Matthew West

The song you just heard was 18 Summers, by Matthew West. It’s a bittersweet reminder of how fast our life flashes by. Holding unto time is like holding unto sand. It's always slipping through our hands. What a father, or mother, or brother, or boyfriend wouldn't give for another 18, or even 21 summers.

This afternoon, we're gathered to remember this profoundly loved daughter and sister, this precious child of God and dear friend, Jordan Ristau. As her pastor, I had the pleasure of watching Jordan grow up at Lakeside. Her birth brought so much joy into the Risatau family. Everyone admired how deeply, and completely, her family loved her. She experienced the best love a family can give. She is/has always been loved unconditionally.

As an example, Allison wanted me to share that . . . “Jordan gave her mom a coffee mug for Mother’s Day one year that had the words printed on it, “You are the Mom that everyone wishes they had.” A year ago, the mug fell on the floor and broke. Allison couldn’t bring herself to throw it away. So, she carefully glued the mug back together so she could hold onto the precious memory of Jordan’s gift. Like the mug, Allison feels shattered by Jordan’s death and feels little hope that the broken pieces of her life can ever be put back together. Only love can do that. The deep love Allison and Jordan shared is the glue that will restore and forever preserve the precious memory of their special relationship.”

Everyone admired Jordan, the depth of her relationships, the depth of maturity and love, constantly on display in her life. Back in 2012 she expressed her trust in Jesus, as Lord and Savior of her life. At that time she was baptized. She received Christ's forgiveness and accepted God's gift of eternal life. Whenever Jordan came to Lakeside, she never failed to flash that warm smile across her face. Because of her faith in Jesus, we will see/know that smile again. Love will indeed be restored, and be no longer bound by time.

Scott & Allison, asked me to share this on their behalf: "There are a dozen or so blank canvases sitting in the corner of our house that Jordan received for Christmas last year that now will never be filled by the beauty of her talented artistry. Looking at them, we can’t help but think of the blank canvas of her future that will likewise now never be filled with the beautiful experiences and relationships that we had so looked forward to, with anticipated joy. But we must not forget that in her short span of 21 years, Jordan has already created a collective work of beautiful experiences and relationships, rich in meaning and splendor, that could fill any gallery to overflowing, and has permanently and profoundly touched the people who were fortunate enough to have beheld the beauty of Jordan’s life, and were witness to her tender, artistic spirit.”

Allow me to share some of Jordan's story, as it appeared in the newspaper. Afterwards, a few of Jordan's friends will share some of their memories of Jordan.

From the Newspaper: Jordan Elizabeth Ristau, 21, of Chatham, passed away on Friday, February 28, 2025, in Peoria. Jordan was born in Springfield, Illinois on May 30, 2003, to Scott and Allison (Patterson) Ristau. Jordan grew up in Chatham, Illinois with her parents and her older brother, Jarrid.

She graduated from Glenwood High School, Chatham, Illinois in 2021. While attending High School, Jordan volunteered at the Chatham Area Public Library. Jordan was baptized in 2012 and became a member of Lakeside Christian Church. She also served in the nursery, taking care of infants during church services. She was a senior at Bradley University and, in the Spring of 2025, was to receive her Bachelor of Science degree in Animation, with a minor in User Experience Design. During the summers, Jordan worked as a Graphic Design Intern at FrontlineCo in 2024 and as a Student Worker at the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency in 2022 and 2023.

Jordan had a wide variety of interests and hobbies, including swimming, biking, fencing, hiking, and playing the trumpet. She was a talented artist, expressing herself and creating beautiful things through various mediums such as drawing, painting, sculpting, and needlepoint. Jordan was interested in Japanese culture and art, and loved learning new things. She was passionate about art and animation. Her passion can be seen in the art work displayed {displayed here}

Music was a big part of Jordan’s life and she enjoyed a wide range of musical styles ranging from Pokémon game soundtracks to Twenty One-Pilots and Metallica. She also liked Jazz and musical theater, especially The Phantom of the Opera.

Jordan was a beloved daughter, sister, granddaughter, niece, and friend. She had a deep bond with her older brother, Jarrid. Jordan cherished the four-year, committed relationship she had with her boyfriend, Byron. She was devoted to her friends, especially Katie, Hannah, and Allison. Jordan always made her friends feel valued and important. She expressed genuine concern for the happiness and well-being of her friends through personal and individual interactions and empathetic conversation. Jordan also loved animals, especially her two cats: Zorua and Umbreon. She was kind, gentle, caring, loyal, tender-hearted, compassionate, and brave. Jordan was able to encourage others even while battling her own feelings of discouragement.

Jordan was preceded in death by her grandfathers, John Ristau and Thomas Patterson. She is survived by her parents, Scott and Allison (Patterson) Ristau of Chatham; brother, Jarrid Ristau; grandmothers, Margaret Ristau of Moline, IL, Vicky Patterson of Broken Arrow, OK, and Jean Ristau of Geneseo, IL; and many aunts, uncles, cousins, and dear friends.

FRIEND REMARKS-

Including a remembrance as spoken by Hannah Hale

I don’t remember the day Jordan and I met, because we were five. Jordan, Allison, and I were 3 of the 6 girls in our kindergarten class full of boys, and we quickly became each others first friends. The 3 of us experienced so many of our “firsts” together. My first sleepover of too many to count was with Jordan and Allison. Many a night were spent hanging out in Jordan’s basement crafting and playing Pokemon and other video games. The first time we all played monopoly together we discovered how competitive we all were.

Our first band and choir experiences and concerts... Jordan and Allison went on to play in the band throughout high school. Trombone turned out not to be my thing, and the trumpet was Jordan’s. They experienced Disney together with the band for the first time. We had our first out of state trip without parents together in 8th grade when we went to Washington DC.

When Katie moved here in junior high, she fit right in with our trio. Dinner theater, first high school art class, and so many more. We went to our first homecoming dance (with sleepover to follow it) and our prom together. I took Jordan to her first Twenty-One Pilots concert and we both cried with excitement seeing our favorite band.

Since graduation, we have all been busy with school, but have made sure to make keep in touch with new experiences, like our first escape room, which we barely made it out, and having craft days, music bingo nights, and some trivia nights when we were all home on breaks. Allison, Katie, and I got to experience Jordan’s excitement about her first true love, Byron. She loved him very much.

It's crazy to think that I just met Jordan’s brother my freshman year of college. Jordan came to visit Jarrid and they came and visited me at my dorm and he took us out to dinner. Jordan really loved spending time with her brother and talked about him often. Jordan loved her parents and often spoke of the exciting family trips they would take.

Jordan was a great friend who stood up for her friends and what was right. She was not afraid to tell you if she didn’t agree or like something, but was protective of those she cared about. S

he was creative, talented, thoughtful, and caring. She was our first friend, my best friend, and we will all miss her always. I love you, Jordan.

Song #2: Phantom of the Opera, "Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again"

PRAYER

Father in Heaven, we are so grateful for the gift of life, for every breath you give us. We're so thankful to have known Jordan's smile, her faith, her life, her friendship and love. We come just now and ask you to comfort us with your presence. Give us a double measure of strength, a double portion of grace and peace. Let your Holy Spirit's gentle presence be felt by everyone in this room. Encourage us by your words. In Christ we pray, amen.

MESSAGE

There is so much that has been said of Jordan. She is, and always will be, a beautiful young woman. She was full of life. Full of love. Full of goodness. Full of compassion and kindness. She carried herself with the warmest of smiles, she possessed a caring spirit, and a generous heart. She is a dearly loved friend. A precious and beloved daughter. A beloved sister. A lover and follower of Jesus. Jordan had a brilliant mind. She was so ambitious, attentive, hopeful. She was profoundly gifted. Artistic and Creative. Throughout her whole life, she’s been surrounded by the love of her family, the love of friends and colleagues, the love of her Church, the love of her cats.

There are some other things I want to share about Jordan—things that are just as true of every person in this room as they are true about Jordan. For example…

First, I'd ask, Do you realize you are Completely Known By God?

In Psalm 139:1-6, the Psalmist marvels at God: "Lord, you have searched me and known me. 2 You know when I sit down and when I stand up; you understand my thoughts from far away. 3 You observe my travels and my rest; you are aware of all my ways. 4 Before a word is on my tongue, you know all about it, Lord. 5 You have encircled me; you have placed your hand on me. 6 This wondrous knowledge is beyond me. It is lofty; I am unable to reach it." That's quite a list already! But the Psalmist continues!

Psalm 139:13-16, "For it was you who created my inward parts; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. 14 I will praise you because I have been remarkably and wondrously made. Your works are wondrous, and I know this very well. 15 My bones were not hidden from you when I was made in secret, when I was formed in the depths of the earth. 16 Your eyes saw me when I was formless; all my days were written in your book and planned before a single one of them began."

If there was ever a message that needed to be permanently etched into our minds, it would be Psalm 139. Just like no two fingerprints are alike, no two people are alike. You are God's special creation, his unique masterpiece, lovingly handcrafted by God's Spirit. God has dreams, plans, designs for you! God has always, and does always, know you. But there is more…

Second, I'd ask, Do you realize God Completely Understands You? Just like a Father, he recognizes your voice, he hears and is moved with compassion by the cries of our heart. God feels our piercing pain, he hears our silent cries, he knows our secret thoughts, he sees us in our hiding place. Our deepest darkness is like light to Him. God is never more than a prayer away.

The Bible is caulk full of brutally heart-felt cries for help. “Lord... My foes increase, many attack me, many say, "There is no help for him in God" (3:1-2). Lord... Answer me when I call, vindicate me (4:1). Let the light of your face shine on me (4:6). Lord... Listen to my words, consider my sighing, pay attention to my prayers, I plead and watch expectantly (5:1-2). Lord... Be gracious for I am weak, heal me Lord for my bones are shaking in terror. And you Lord, “How Long?” … Turn Lord, rescue me, save me because of your faithful Love (6:1-4). Lord why do you stand so far away? Why do you hide in times of trouble (10:1)

Its absolutely true that God hears, and responds in a special way to those who love him and fear him. Psalm 145:18-19 says, "The Lord is near to all who call on him, who call on him in truth. He fulfills the desire of those who fear him; he also hears their cry and saves them." But it’s also true that God extends a blanket invitation to everyone, that "everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved." Psalm 102:17 says, "God regards the prayer of the destitute and does not despise their prayer." No matter what trouble he face, the Bible says God is an ever-present help in times of trouble. If only we knew his love, we'd know to cry out to him for help.

Hebrews 4:15-17 says, "Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. 15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. 16 Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.”

Third, I'd ask, do you realize God Completely Loves You? Right in the heart of Psalm 139:7-12 the Psalmist says to God, "Where can I go to escape your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? 8 If I go up to heaven, you are there. . .” But then he says something quite profound, “. . .if I make my bed in Sheol [ literally in the grave ], you are there. 9 If I fly on the wings of the dawn and settle down on the western horizon, 10 even there your hand will lead me; your right hand will hold on to me. 11 If I say, “Surely the darkness will hide me, and the light around me will be night”—12 even the darkness is not dark to you. The night shines like the day; darkness and light are alike to you."

To one another, we may very well feel like sand, slipping through one another's fingers, out of one another's grip. But God is not like us. His right hand holds unto us, and God sustains us in his grip. We might make our bed in a grave. We might want to run to the furthest horizon. We might want to hide in the darkness of pain, of shame, of fear. We cannot escape God's Spirit. We cannot flee God's presence. We cannot escape his grip.

Jordan may have very well slipped through our fingers, but she hasn't slipped through God's fingers, nor has she slipped from his grip.

For those who entrust themselves to God, Romans 8:35-39 powerfully affirms God’s love for us with a series of questions: "Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?36 As it is written: “For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.” 37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord."

Fourth, I'd ask, Do you Realize that Death isn't the ultimate end of our life?

Ecclesiastes 12:7 reminds us that, "the dust returns to the earth as it was. . . but the spirit returns to God who gave it". John 3:16-17 says, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.” God's dream, and eternal design, is that we'd trust him for eternal life.

Scott and Allison asked that we play one last song. One of the songs that have been a tremendous comfort for Christians is the hymn, “It is Well with My Soul.” They asked that I briefly share the story behind the song. . .Life can be so unpredictable—joys and sorrows, beautiful blessings and distressing difficulties can come unexpectedly. Our life’s dreams and plans can change in an instant. We all know this to be true. So how can we find peace amid such turbulence?

Horatio Spafford knew something about life’s unexpected challenges. He was a successful attorney and real estate investor who lost a fortune in the great Chicago fire of 1871. Around the same time, his beloved four-year-old son died of scarlet fever.

Thinking a vacation would do his family some good, he sent his wife and four daughters on a ship to England, planning to join them after he finished some pressing business at home. However, while crossing the Atlantic Ocean, the ship was involved in a terrible collision and sunk. More than 200 people lost their lives, including all four of Horatio Spafford’s precious daughters. His wife, Anna, survived the tragedy. Upon arriving in England, she sent a telegram to her husband that began: “Saved alone. What shall I do?”

Horatio immediately set sail for England. At one point during his voyage, the captain of the ship, aware of the tragedy that had struck the Spafford family, summoned Horatio to tell him that they were now passing over the spot where the shipwreck had occurred. As Horatio thought about his daughters, words of comfort and hope filled his heart and mind. He wrote them down, and they have since become a well-beloved hymn:

When peace like a river, attendeth my way,

When sorrows like sea billows roll—

Whatever my lot, thou hast taught me to know

It is well, it is well with my soul.

Perhaps we cannot always say that everything is well in all aspects of our lives. There will always be storms to face, and sometimes there will be tragedies. But with faith in a loving God and with trust in His divine help, we can confidently say, “It is well, it is well with my soul.”

Let's let this song be our prayer this evening…

Song #3: It is Well, With My Soul.