Obituary of Lindsey Sue Mallicoat

   Lindsey Sue Mallicoat went home to be with her heavenly Father on Friday, October 13th, 2023. Lindsey was born on August 6, 1976, at CGH Hospital in Sterling, the youngest daughter of Leann E. (Teske) and James L. Mallicoat II.

   Lindsey attended Montessori Preschool led by Julie Prescott, then attended Sterling Public Schools. She attended Jefferson Elementary, Challand Middle School, and Sterling High School, graduating in May 1996. Lindsey took dance lessons with Miss Debbie’s and Shawna Havener.  She took piano lessons from Earl Ricker.

   Upon graduation, Lindsey became a consumer at Self Help Enterprises under John Stern and later Carla Holbrook. While at Self Help, Lindsey received numerous awards, including: the Illinois Special Olympics State Holiday Art Card Contest in 1997 (her card design was sent to 4500 addresses); Special Olympian Award for bowling, basketball and track in 2000; Special Arts Award in 2007. She also participated in Self Help’s 4-H programs. Lindsey also represented Self Help at various medical facilities and high schools across northwest and central Illinois. She spoke to doctors, nurses, administrators, teachers and students about being a Down Syndrome person in today’s world. Lindsey worked at Self Help for 26 years until it temporarily closed in March 2020. 

   Lindsey’s most beloved pastime was family vacations. She traveled all across the country, visiting California, Nevada, Florida, and many more states. She especially loved Disney World and went many times, including to see her niece Rachel perform there with Woodlawn Arts’ Triple Threat Team. She never missed Rachel’s performances. Lindsey also traveled to Wisconsin every summer to visit her aunt and uncle, where she loved to drive the pontoon boat (the faster, the better). 

   Socializing was another love of Lindsey’s, as anyone who had the fortune to meet her would happily recall. She particularly enjoyed the Sunday Breakfast Group of special cousins, Peggy Bollinger, Renee Gigle, Colleen Kosier, Barbara Koenig, and Marcia Fields. Eating out with friends and family brought her much joy, and you could always count on Lindsey to pick the best thing on the menu.

   A lifelong member of the First Baptist Church (Open Door Community Church) of Sterling, she attended church services faithfully, sharing her bountiful joy and seemingly endless love with her church and church family. Lindsey loved singing and memorizing hymns, participating in the Christmas Program, and attending church potlucks, birthday parties, or any occasion that called for celebration and togetherness. 

   Lindsey was predeceased by her maternal grandparents, Ann and Alvin Teske; paternal grandparents, Betty and James Mallicoat and uncle Tim Mallicoat.

   She is survived by her parents; sister, Michelle (Jim) Spencer of Sterling; niece, Rachel Spencer of Austin, Texas; godparents Carol and Bill Eberly of Sterling; her special aunts and uncles, John (Sue) Teske and Kathy (John) Reese and Dennis (Cindy) Mallicoat and Tom (Debbie) Mallicoat, Donna Benefield, of Pekin, and Tom Teske (Hon) of Katy, Texas; beloved cousins, Sean, Myles, and Ellie Eberly of Carbondale,  Joe Teske of Rock Falls, Ryan Teske, Shane Reese, Kaitlin Reese, Angie Winchell, Brandy Malliocat all of Sterling,  Trinity Winchell of Chicago, Ben Garza of Marionette, WI, Lori Delaware, Lance Benefield, Lyle Benefield, Lynn Hodgson, Leigh Beth Volpert of Pekin, Craig Mallicoat of Cedar Rapids, IA and many more cousins. 

    Funeral services will be 11AM Thursday October 19, 2023 at Open Door Community Church in Sterling, with Pastor Dainiel Swihart, officiating. Visitation will be 4PM-6PM Wednesday October 18, 2023 at Schilling Funeral Home & Cremation in Sterling. Burial will take place at Oak Knoll Memorial Park also in Sterling. 

   A memorial has been established to Open Door Community Church or Self Help Enterprises. 

   Condolences may be sent to www.schillingfuneralhome.com