Seth A. Mehrkens, age 26, of Pontiac, IL, passed away at 3:32 p.m. on Wednesday, October 22, 2025, at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, TN, after being involved in an automobile accident.

Cremation rites have been accorded. A funeral service will be held on Friday, November 7, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Pontiac, IL. Father Robert Rayson will be officiating. A visitation will be held on Thursday, November 6, 2025, from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Duffy-Baier-Snedecor Funeral Home, located at 903 W. Custer Ave, Pontiac, IL, 61764.

Memorials in Seth’s memory may be made to St. Mary’s Catholic School for the Athletic Department, or to the charity of the donor’s choice.

Duffy-Baier-Snedecor Funeral Home in Pontiac, IL, is entrusted with his arrangements.

Seth was born on June 21, 1999, in Pontiac, IL, to Mark and Kim (Eldred) Mehrkens. They survive in Pontiac, IL.

Also surviving him is his sister: Maddie (Caleb) Leach of Pontiac, IL; two adored nieces: Avery Mae and Kali Jo; maternal grandmother: Peggy Mehrkens of Pontiac, IL; and several beloved aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends.

He is preceded in death by his maternal grandfather and grandmother: Jon and Kate Eldred, paternal grandfather: Joseph Mehrkens, and one uncle: Brad Mehrkens.

Seth was a graduate of St. Mary’s Catholic Grade School and Pontiac Township High School, the class of 2018. He then furthered his education at Heartland Community College.

Seth was employed by Netsource Solutions, Inc. as a certified IT technician. His work took him across the country, traveling with coworkers who became close friends.

Seth’s love of baseball began in his grandparents’ backyard, where he spent countless hours playing wiffle ball and hitting “dingers” with his cousins. Throughout his childhood and teen years, he made many lifelong friends on the baseball field. A devoted Cubs fan, Seth cherished every chance he had to watch a game from the Wrigley Field bleachers.

Always up for an adventure, Seth loved traveling with friends, going to concerts, and spending time with old and new friends and family—anything that brought people together. Most weekends you could find him watching sports with his buddies or out on the golf course. His advice on fantasy teams and sports betting will be especially missed by his sister, Maddie.

Seth was blessed with a tight-knit circle of family and friends, many of whom stood by his side until the end. He had a gift for making people laugh with his quick wit and for touching hearts with his genuine, heartfelt words. Seth never left without saying, “I love you.”

He was a beautiful soul who deeply touched the lives of all who knew him. His memory will live on in our hearts and he will be missed every single day.