Coroner: Whiteside jail suicide victim a 22-year-old Rock Falls man

MORRISON – The Whiteside County jail inmate found unresponsive in his cell around 1:30 Friday morning, the victim of an apparent suicide by hanging, was a 22-year-old Rock Falls man, Coroner Joe McDonald confirmed.

Chevy Ray Allen-Wadelton was charged Wednesday and pleaded not guilty to criminal sexual assault by use of force, aggravated criminal sexual abuse of a child 13 to 17, and criminal sexual abuse of a child more than 5 years younger than he. He was being held on $75,000 bond.

The girl involved was 16, court records show.

An autopsy is set for this afternoon. As is procedure, Illinois State Police are investigating.

Among others, Allen-Wadelton is survived by his mother, Julie Marschang of Rock Falls, sisters, Cherokee Wadelton of Tampico, and Mindy Hexom of Rock Island; and brothers, Zackery Wadelton of Dixon, William Stees of Tampico, Tyler Stees of Walnut, Donovan and Dakotah Stees, both of Sterling, and Skylar Stees of Lyndon.

Cremation rites will be accorded. A gathering of family and friends will be held from 1 to 3 p.m. Friday, at McDonald Funeral Home in Rock Falls. A memorial service will follow, then a celebration of life will be held at Bear’s Bar in Lyndon.

Go to https://www.mcdonaldfuneralhomes.com/obituaries for his complete obituary.