Lance Mitch Halsey

Lance M. Halsey, age 34, of Cortland, IL, formerly of Elburn, passed away suddenly Sunday afternoon, June 5, 2006, at St. Anthony Hospital, Rockford, following a tragic motorcycle accident. The lifesaving efforts of emergency personnel and the skilled hands his physicians could not keep Lance here but the man known by all as a "good guy" finished his last task and left for others the "Gift of Life" through organ donation. He was born December 18, 1971, in St Charles, IL, the son of Chris and Sherry (Offutt) Halsey. The family lived in Aurora for a time before moving to South Padre Island, Texas where Lance began school. They returned to Aurora where he attended Holy Angels School and Greenman Elementary. Later, he was a student at Lily Lake Grade School and graduated from Burlington-Central High School with the class of 1990. Lance lived in Wisconsin for a time and worked at Lake Geneva Spindustries before returning to Aurora where he began working in construction at L.J. Morse Construction. Later, he was employed at Dick Corporation in Minooka.Lance met Kim, his life’s partner, and they moved to Arizona. Lance transferred to Dick Pacific Corporation in California and drove an hour across the desert from their home in Arizona twice a day. In 2002, they returned to Illinois to be closer to family; Lance went to work for Mack Excavating in Elburn. He and Kim were united in marriage on August 2, 2002. Blessed with the birth of their first son, Justin, Lance became a proud and loving daddy. In time, their family grew to include Justin’s two little brothers, Tristan and Logan. Lance loved not only his own boys but all children and could always be found right "down on the floor" with them. In the fall of 2003, Lance began working as a laborer for Skender Construction, Palos Hills. Though he began at the bottom, his hard work and perseverance saw him through college courses, OSHA training and most recently electrical safety training and the position of superintendent. No matter where Lance worked he was a jack-of-all trades and liked by everyone. He was an avid sports fan who knew not only the names of the players and the stats of his favorite teams, the Bears and the Cubs, but could quote you endless pieces of information about every conceivable sport. A people person, Lance talked to everyone; he never met a person he didn’t like and was in constant touch with family and friends. He was an extrovert who needed people to fuel his endless energy – they recharged him.Lance loved his Harley-Davidson motorcycle and was truly, "Mr. Harley". He had a "passion for the ride" and was the proud owner of 74 Harley T-shirts, not counting his Harley dress shirts. Last Sunday he worked tirelessly as he and his dad, Chris, ran the annual Elburn Lions Ride. It was huge success. For Lance there was no job too small or hours too long and he gloried in the success of the run at the end of the day. Lance was the guy down the street who would do anything for you. He had a passion for life and learned on his way down the road that even when you are homeless, penniless and jobless you can survive and rise to find happiness and success. Those who knew him will never forget him and those who loved him will "go on" with Lance "riding along side every mile of the way".He was a member of Elburn Lions Club, A.B.A.T.E., H.O.G. and the Labors Union Local #149, Aurora. He was always surrounded by a group of people, friends, old and new. He survived by his wife, Kimberly of Cortland and three sons: Justin (3 ½), Tristan (2) and Logan (9 mos.). They are his legacy, his life is their heritage.In addition he leaves his parents: Sherry (Jerry) Scent of Aurora, IL, and Chris (Cindy) Halsey of Sugar Grove, IL; his brother, Chris (Julie) Halsey of Yorkville, IL and their children: Anna, Christian and Julian;his maternal grandparents, Homer and Bellva Offutt of Aurora, IL;his mother-in-law, Cindy (Mark) Tomasik of Howell, MI;his father-in-law, Randy (Louise) Gum of Cortland, IL;his brother-in-law, Rob Gum of Sycamore, IL;several aunts and uncles:Vernon Halsey, Fairbanks, Alaska,Rick and Kathy Halsey of Kaneville, IL,Rita (Jim) Cotti of Elburn, IL,Davis Offutt of Aurora, IL; a number of cousins and countless friends whose lives were blessed by knowing Lance Halsey.He is preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, Curly and Julia Halsey.In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established in Lance’s name that will benefit his wife and his sons. Checks may be made to the Lance Halsey Memorial and mailed in care of P.O. Box 66, Elburn, IL 60119.For information please call 1-800-8CONLEY or visit our website at www.conleycare.com where memories and tributes may be left for his family.

His visitation will be held from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. on SATURDAY, June 10, 2006, at the Conley Funeral Home, 116 W. Pierce St., Elburn and SUNDAY from 2:00 - 4:30 p.m. at the Elburn Lions Park, 500 Filmore St. A celebration of Lance’s life will be held at 5:00 pm on Sunday afternoon, June 11, 2006.

Interment services will follow at Blackberry Cemetery, Elburn, Il.