Dawson Wayde Reese

He was born October 24, 2003 in Peoria to David W. and Shelby L. (Robinson) Reese.

Surviving are his parents of Pekin; one brother, Trevor Reese of Pekin; his great-aunt and uncle, Dean and JoJo Runyon of Pekin, who were like his grandparents; his maternal grandmother, Sandra Vice of Pekin; one niece, Saige Rylann; three uncles, Gary Cooper of Chicago, Larry Reese and Jerry Reese, both of Glasford; one aunt, Shannon Cooper of Pekin; numerous cousins, including, Colin, Brody and Meghan Reese; countless friends and football family and his beloved dog, Paislee.

He was preceded in death by his paternal grandfather, Cecil Reese, Sr.; paternal grandparents, Barbara Reese and Tom Miller; maternal great-grandparents. Eugene and Louise Woolsey; paternal great-grandparents, Cecil and Maxine Reese; paternal great-grandmother, Elizabeth Englebrecht and one cousin, Ashley Reese.

Dawson was a 2022 graduate of Pekin Community High School, where he was a team captain and four-year starter for PCHS, that made a deep run in the playoffs.

He graduated from MTI in 2023 and worked on big chillers as an Commercial HVAC Technician for Daikin in Iowa.

A son, brother, grandson, uncle, friend and teammate that was loved by all, Dawson enjoyed riding his ATV, being on the water riding his jet ski and boating. He also enjoyed fishing, mushroom hunting, trap shooting and playing frisbee golf.

Dawson was also an avid collector of coins and silver. He loved spending time with his family and best buddies playing Texas Hold Em and rolling dice. He also loved spending time with his girlfriend, Avery Lavin. His pride and joy were his Dodge Charger Scat Pack and holding his niece, Saige.

His funeral will be at 1:30 p.m. Thursday, May 1, 2025 at Preston-Hanley Funeral Homes & Crematory in Pekin. Pastor Shane Hawkins will officiate. His joint visitation with his best friend, Chase, will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Wednesday evening at the funeral home. Burial will be at Lancaster Cemetery in Glasford.

Everyone is encouraged to wear camo, Pekin Dragons apparel, beach attire, Nike Air Force shoes and lots of bling.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be given to Pekin JFL or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Midwest Affiliate, 530 Northeast Glen Oak Avenue, Peoria, Illinois 61637 or Taylor Rudd Saving Grace Foundation at www.taylorruddsavinggrace.org

To express condolences online, visit www.preston-hanley.com