Jeff Shuck, age 55, of Athens, passed away on Friday, July 31, 2020.
He was born November 15, 1964 in Streator, Illinois.
Jeff married Joanne “Jo” Duncan on April 25, 1992, in Cape Girardeau, Missouri.
He is survived by his wife, Jo; two sons, Evan and Everett; mother, Doris Bernard; father, Larry Bernard; sister, Julie Redding; nephew, Derek; nieces, Dori and Erin; and great-nephews, Noah, Connor and Gavin.
He is preceded in death by his grandparents, Everett and Jewel Flesburg.
Jeff previously worked for the Illinois Attorney General, the State Board of Education, and Central Management Systems. He most recently was appointed to the Illinois Human Rights Commission.
Jeff graduated as the Salutatorian of Illini Bluffs High School in 1983, then graduated from University of Illinois in Champaign in 1988, and continued his education, graduating with a Juris Doctorate degree, as Valedictorian, from Southern Illinois University Carbondale School of Law in 1997.
Jeff loved his family dearly and was especially proud of his boys. He enjoyed watching his sons play football and grow into strong young men! Jeff was also an avid Illini fan.
He was an enthusiastic supporter of personal freedoms and liberties and a proud American.
He was on the intercollegiate wheelchair basketball team at University of Illinois, winning two National Championship rings in 1986 and 1987. Jeff brought this sport to SIU Carbondale, where he also competed.
Although Jeff lived the last 38 years as a paraplegic, he never considered himself disabled.
A memorial service will be held on August 6, 2020, from 4:00 until 7:00 PM at Mott & Henning Funeral Home in Athens. With COVID guidelines, the gathering will be conducted with fifty (50) people or less in the facility at one time.
Your email is never published or shared. Required fields are marked (required)
Visits: 17
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the
Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Service map data © OpenStreetMap contributors
Posted August 1st, 2020 at 8:57 pm
With our greatest condolences, your family (our family) is in our prayers and thoughts for you in this difficult time. Please know that he will be missed and forever in our hearts.
Posted August 2nd, 2020 at 8:52 am
We were so shocked to hear of Jeff’s passing; our prayers are with you and your family; we are interested in contributing to whatever memorial you may suggest to remember Jeff.
Posted August 2nd, 2020 at 9:54 am
I can’t begin to tell you how sad Jeff’s death has made us. He was our friend! We will miss him terribly. We will always think of him with a smile as he talked about his family. He was so proud of you all. Praying for your family and sending love. Please reach out to us if you need ANYTHING! ❤️
Posted August 2nd, 2020 at 10:40 am
Please accept our many condolences. I have worked with Jeff for many years in various capacities. In all of my many experiences with Jeff, he was the definition of a gentleman. He will be greatly missed by all.
Posted August 2nd, 2020 at 4:31 pm
I am so very sorry. He was always such a bright light. Prayers for your family
Posted August 2nd, 2020 at 10:26 pm
I’m so sorry to hear about Jeff. I enjoyed working with him at CMS. I will keep you all in my prayers at this difficult time.
Posted August 3rd, 2020 at 6:43 am
Please accept my sincerest condolences on Jeff’s passing. I worked with him while he was an attorney at CMS on Human Rights issues. He was smart, kind, and always polite. He was a great man and will be missed!
Posted August 3rd, 2020 at 9:12 am
Keeping the Shuck family in my prayers. This is a complete shock that leaves one speechless. Commissioner Shuck is apart of our Commission family and he will be missed. May the peace of God cover his family.
Posted August 4th, 2020 at 5:10 am
Jo and boys, I am so sorry for your loss. Jeff was such an inspiration to everyone! So intelligent yet so humble with a passion for doing it himself. Being around Jeff made me feel good. It was such a shock to read of his passing. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
Posted August 4th, 2020 at 7:53 am
Holding all Jeff’s family in my heart. Jeff was so proud of his boys, his face would light up like a Christmas tree whenever he talked about them. All our love.
Posted August 4th, 2020 at 10:00 am
Jo and boys, I am so sorry to hear about Jeff’s passing. We were on moot court together in law school and worked together at ISBE. His legal analysis was brilliant, and I had great respect for him professionally and personally. May you remember all the good things. Prayers, Renee Vilatte
Posted August 4th, 2020 at 3:51 pm
Still devastated here at the loss of a member of our training family. We loved him like a brother and looked at him as a role model and hero. Our boys thought he was a hero too. We thank God for bringing him into our lives and making our lives richer in every way. We’re just sad God didn’t leave him here for a little longer…
Posted August 4th, 2020 at 4:25 pm
Jo, Evan & Everett,
I am so sorry to hear of Jeff’s passing. Please know you all are in my thoughts and prayers!!
Posted August 5th, 2020 at 9:47 am
Jeff was an incredible public servant and held in very high esteem in Illinois state government. We attended Illini Bluffs High School together, then years later had the good fortune to work together in the Office of the Illinois Attorney General. My heart breaks for his family, and Illinois citizens will also suffer the loss of this brilliant and hard-working man. Rest In Peace, dear Jeff.
Posted August 6th, 2020 at 1:41 pm
Jeff was always the quiet, big brother to my bestie, Julie. He was a wonderful, strong influence on so many as we walked the halls of our high school. I was honored as he wheeled/walked me down the isle at Julie’s wedding.
He LOVED his family and that is one of the things that has always stood out for me- the love he had for his family. Jeff made a giant impact on so many in his 55 years. You will truly be missed.
Posted August 6th, 2020 at 3:06 pm
Our sincere condolences to your family. We are praying for all of you.
Posted August 6th, 2020 at 4:00 pm
I had the pleasure and was very fortunate to have worked with Jeff at CMS. He was awesome to work with and always mentioned his family. He made a positive impact on this world. He will be missed. He was very professional and knowledgeable. His smile was contagious and his mannerisms always made one comfortable around him. I am so sorry for your loss. Please accept my deepest condolences. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Posted August 8th, 2020 at 4:33 am
My sincere condolences to your family. I had the pleasure of meeting Jeff a few years ago. He was a great teacher, ambassador, and friend. He will be missed.
Posted August 9th, 2020 at 2:43 pm
Jo-
My heart hurts for you and the boys after hearing about Jeff’s death. I remember him with much fondness. I would love to get together for some much overdue reconnecting. With love and sincere condolences, Helen
Posted August 19th, 2020 at 12:05 pm
My deepest condolences to the family and friends of Jeff Shuck. He was a very quiet person, but he was enjoyable part of the Human Rights Commission. It was a shock to receive the call of his passing and I’m still trying to process it. He is missed every day.
Posted February 27th, 2022 at 3:24 pm
I was going over the last couple of years at Mott and Henning and saw where Jeff had passed. You and the boys have our sympathy. George always enjoyed visiting with Jeff and thought so much of him. Sorry we didn’t know sooner.