Jeffrey Robert Richardson, age 36, of Beverly Farm in Godfrey, Illinois, passed away peacefully on August 4, 2026, in the loving arms of Jesus.

Jeffrey was born on December 15, 1989, in Phoenix, Arizona. In 2006, Jeffrey and his family moved from Phoenix to Tennessee in search of the best possible place for Jeff to live, grow, and be loved. That journey eventually led them to the St. Louis area, and then to Beverly Farm in Godfrey, Illinois.

Beverly Farm became Jeffy's home, where he lived and was loved for nearly 19 years. Over those years, Beverly Farm became much more than a place where Jeff lived. It became a community of people who cared deeply for him and became an important part of his life and his family's life.

Affectionately known as Jeffy, he had a way of loving people that was truly his own. Jeffy touched so many lives without ever needing to say a word. His smile, his presence, and the way he loved people spoke louder than words ever could. He gave love like no other-pure, unconditional, and without judgment.

Jeffy loved Shrek, Winnie the Pooh, and Goosebumps. He loved going to the movies, exploring new places, and spending time around animals. He especially loved his puppies and his horse. And if you knew Jeffy, you knew there was one thing that could almost always make him happy: a chocolate shake. He also had a special love for ice cream.

Jeffy was especially loved by his grandmother, Ellen Richardson, who was the apple of his eye. Ellen passed away in 2025, and we find comfort knowing that Jeffy is now reunited with his beloved grandmother and the other grandparents who went before him.

A Message From Jeffy's Dad

As Jeffy's dad, I don't know how to put into words what it feels like to say goodbye to my son.

For 35 years, Jeffy taught me things that no one else ever could. He taught me that love doesn't need words. He taught me that a smile can say more than a thousand conversations. He taught me that a person's value isn't measured by what they can do, but by the love they bring into the lives of others.

Jeffy had Down syndrome, but Down syndrome never defined my son. It was simply one small part of the life God gave him. Jeffy was so much more than a diagnosis. He was my son. He was a brother, a grandson, a friend, and a person who touched more lives than we will probably ever know.

When Jeffy was young, I wanted to make sure we found the best possible place for him to live and thrive. That desire took our family from Phoenix to Tennessee, then to the St. Louis area, and ultimately to Beverly Farm. We could never have known then just how important Beverly Farm would become to Jeffy and to all of us.

For nearly 19 years, Jeffy was surrounded by people who cared for him, supported him, laughed with him, protected him, and loved him. I will forever be grateful to every person at Beverly Farm who became part of Jeffy's life.

You weren't simply caregivers-you became part of our family and part of Jeffy's story.

Now, as his dad, my heart is broken because I will miss him more than words can ever express.

But I also have peace.

I believe that Jeffy is now in the loving arms of Jesus. I believe he is with his grandparents, including his beloved Grandma Ellen, and I believe he is finally free from every limitation his earthly body placed upon him.

Jeffy has a new body. He is whole. He is healed. He no longer has Down syndrome.

I imagine him running, laughing, exploring, enjoying his favorite things, and experiencing a freedom that he never had here on Earth. And most of all, I imagine him surrounded by the love of Jesus and reunited with those who went before him.

Someday, I believe I will see my son again.

Until that day, I will carry Jeffy with me in my heart. I will remember his smile. I will remember the things he loved. I will remember his chocolate shakes and ice cream, his love of animals, his movies and adventures, and most of all, the incredible love he gave without ever needing to say a word.

Jeffy, you were and always will be my son.

I love you, Jeffy. I always have, and I always will.

Until we meet again in the loving arms of Jesus.

Survived By

Jeffrey is survived by his father, David Richardson, and stepmother, Judy Richardson; his mother, Carol Richardson; his brother, Daniel Richardson; his sister, Sara Richardson; and his extended family, friends, caregivers, and the many people whose lives were touched by his love.

He was preceded in death by his beloved grandmother Ellen Richardson and his grandparents, whom he is now joyfully reunited with in Heaven.

A Special Thank You

The family would like to express their deepest and most heartfelt gratitude to everyone at Beverly Farm who cared for Jeffy throughout his nearly 19 years there.

To the caregivers, staff, nurses, administrators, friends, and everyone who shared a part of Jeffy's life: thank you for loving our son. Thank you for the countless acts of kindness, the patience, the laughter, the protection, the encouragement, and for seeing Jeffy for the wonderful person he was.

You gave our family something priceless-the comfort of knowing that Jeffy was surrounded by people who cared about him.

The family also extends heartfelt gratitude to the nurses, doctors, and staff at OSF HealthCare Saint Anthony's Health Center in Alton, Illinois, for their care and compassion for Jeffy and his family.

Visitation

Friends and family are invited to celebrate Jeffrey's life at Schrader Funeral Home on:

Sunday, August 9, 2026 4:00-6:00 p.m.

In lieu of flowers please make a donation to Beverly Farm in memory of Jeff.

Rather than remembering Jeffy only for the way his life ended, we ask that you remember him for the love he gave, the lives he touched, and the joy he brought simply by being Jeffy.

Jeffy gave love like no other. He touched so many lives without saying a word. And that love will live on forever.

As a service of SCHRADER Funeral Home and Crematory, friends may sign the family's on-line guestbook at Schrader.com.