Zachary Philip Case

Zachary Philip Case lived a life full of challenges from the very start, yet he found a way to persevere. At the age of 24, Zach passed away at the Walter Lawson Children’s Home in Loves park, Illinois on Thursday, January 11, 2024.

Zach was born premature June 11, 1999 in Rockford, the son of Jonathan and Jacqueline (Matas) Case. He began life, learning to fight to survive. As he grew up, Zach was always happy and enjoyed laughter. Other than laughter, Zach was non-verbal and lived with Cerebral Palsy. He had the added challenge of dealing with Lenox-Gaustaut Epilepsy. These realities are what Zach experienced.

Zach loved the 1995 Toy Story Movie with Buzz Lightyear being his favorite character. Thank goodness there were many more Toy Story movies through the years. He loved being outdoors and enjoyed side-by-side rides.

Most importantly, the years were filled with much love, caring and companionship. His family, the West Carroll School District, and his professional care team at Walter Lawson Children’s Home, did everything they could to support his success. Zachary graduated from West Carroll High School in 2021. This is one of the big wins in his life that was built on many hard-fought “little wins.” Everyone who had the opportunity to work with Zach fell in love with him.

Zachary will be dearly missed by his mother, Jacqueline (Bob) Matas of Thomson, his father, Jonathon Case of Savanna; his brother, Landen Bielema; grandparents, Annette (Jay) Miller, Robert Matas and Angie (Charles) Williams; great-grandma, Carole Eldrenkamp; several aunts and uncles and many cousins. Zachary is preceded in death by his grandpa, Philip Case and his uncle, Wendell Case.