'A loyal friend who cared deeply': Funeral set for Dunlap soccer player Tessa Sutton

Visitation and funeral services are set for Tessa Sutton, the Dunlap High School soccer player who died of cancer on Friday afternoon at age 17.

Visitation services will be held from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday, March 28 at Northwoods Community Church, 10700 N. Allen Road in Peoria. Davison-Fulton Woolsey-Wilton Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Funeral services will follow at 11 a.m. Wednesday, March 29, at the church with Pastor Keith Lindgren officiating. Burial will be in Chillicothe City Cemetery.

The family encourages Tessa’s friends to wear their favorite team uniform to the services.

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Sutton is survived by her parents, Rich and Michelle Sutton, and her brothers Caleb (Megan) Aeschliman of Chicago, Josh Aeschliman of Peoria, and sisters Hannah Sutton of Bartonville and Sarah Sutton of Pekin.

Sutton had hoped to pursue a career in the medical field after being inspired by the caregivers she had during her two years as a patient, reads her obituary. She also worked briefly at Brown Animal Hospital.

Tessa was diagnosed with an aggressive form of osteosarcoma in her right chest wall in May 2021. She endured many rounds of chemotherapy, two major surgeries and radiation. In January 2023, she was diagnosed with leukemia caused by one of her chemo medications. After that, there was no longer a path to a cure.

"Throughout her ordeal, she showed incredible courage, grace, and humor," the obituary said. "She was a loyal friend who cared deeply about those she loved. She had a wonderful sense of humor and a quick wit. She was feisty and competitive when playing sports and a bit of a perfectionist."

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Sutton was described as a "kind, empathetic soul who was always thinking of others. She loved sports, animals, music, art, sneakers, Harry Styles, Christmas, Disney movies, concerts, and her family."

Sutton "excelled at sports from a young age and participated in basketball, softball, cross county, track, and soccer. Soccer was her true passion and she made life-long friends from all over central Illinois," the obituary said.

Memorials may be made to The Tessa Sutton Foundation or St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

Read the entire obituary here.