Joshua "Josh" B. Warrner

It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Joshua Brian Warrner. Known affectionately as "Goof" to many, Joshua was born on September 14, 1990 and lived most of his life in Oregon, IL.  He is the son of the late Richard Warrner & Linda Warrner.

Josh fought Adult-Onset Leukoencephalopathy with Axonal Spheroids and Pigmented Glia (ALSP) so fiercely, especially during his last week of life. 

He departed from this world May 19, 2024 peacefully, comfortable, and pain-free surrounded by so much love, leaving a legacy of strength, resilience, and determination. 

Alongside Josh's uncles and grandparents there were many hands that helped his mom in raising him. Josh had so many special memories he made with his daycare gang at Miss Anne's. He also spent many summers making so many memories with the Cains, the Cooks, and the Blume families and, as he got older, the Thomas's basement was the hangout spot. He was forever grateful for all the helping hands who helped make him into the man and dad he became, and loved reminiscing on memories made with all of you. 

Josh married Abby Skaggs on July 27,2012 in Lewistown, IL and spent the last almost 12 years building a wonderful family and life together. 

Joshua was a proud graduate of Oregon High School and earned his Diesel Power Technology degree from Kishwaukee College, where he made some amazing memories with people who became family. One of those memories being the fly wheel in the freezer (If you know...you know. LOL).  He so proudly got his CDL and ended his working days working alongside his father-in-law Tom, for Hanson Material Services at the Athens IL Rock Quarry. 

He had an affinity for the simplistic delights in life. He favored Mama Susan’s Coleslaw, Grandpa Bob's Spaghetti with homemade garlic bread, Grandpa's famous Cubans, and Alfano's Pizza. Josh paired them with his favorite drinks: Busch Light, Twisted Tea, and Orange Crush. A music enthusiast, he cherished the tunes of Jelly Roll, Haystack, Struggle Jennings, and 90's Country. 

Joshua was a fervent supporter of the Chicago Cubs and Chicago Blackhawks. One of his favorite memories was seeing the Cubs win the world series with his "Big Brother and one of his buddies, Ethan".  He relished playing Euchre with Pedey, Ethan, & the Twins while drinking beer and “bullshitting”, as he called it.  He cherished game nights with his sister and brothers-in-law, playing Uno Flip, spending time fishing with his father-in-law, and attending truck pulls watching his uncle Jeff and cousins Scott & Matt. 

Josh also had a knack for wrenching, a trait he learned from a young age from his Grandpa Lowell.  He put that knack to good use working in the race shop alongside "Papa Du" helping to get his buddy Austin's modified ready to race at the Maquoketa, Iowa racetrack. Going to watch Austin race in Iowa was one of his favorite things to do toward the end of his life.  Josh also loved working on the family farm and helping with harvest and planting when he could. Toward the last few months of his life, he really loved getting out on the warm and nice days taking rides in his golf cart and just tinkering around in the garage.  Josh enjoyed smoking the devil's lettuce with his brother-in-law Jonathan, who was one of his main caregivers alongside his father-in-law these last 2 years.   

Josh was surrounded with so much love from his wife, family, friends, and everyone who followed his journey with ALSP the last 2 years. He passionately hoped to find a cure for ALSP and underwent clinical trials to help with the research and a cure for ALSP, a cause close to his heart. His personality was best described as strong, determined, witty, onery, stubborn, and a rebel- without-a-cause. His core belief was to live life fiercely without regrets and with "No F---s Given". 

His greatest accomplishment and joy were his four children. He loved teaching his boys about the farm and teaching them how to put a wrench in their hands early on. His daughter was by far his pride and joy and even on his worst days his "baby girl" could put a huge smile on his face. 

Joshua's legacy is that of resilience and determination, which he displayed in his challenging battle with ALSP. His unwavering spirit, grit and tough love were a testament to his warrior spirit. His memory will forever inspire and remind us to face life's battles head on with perseverance and grace. Even in death Josh chose to be so selfless by choosing to donate his brain to research in honor of his son, in hopes of helping find a cure for this deadly disease. 

Josh is missed so deeply by his wife Abby, his sons Chase, Raymond, Reed, & his daughter Louise. 

He is also survived by his mother Linda Warrner, his grandparents Robert & Betty Cutler and Sandy Warrner; his uncles Jeff (Terry) Warrner, Brad Warrner, & Dave Popkin; his father and mother-in-law Tom & Susan Skaggs; his in-laws: Amber (Jonathan) Romaker Houston; T.J. (Jernie Shores) Skaggs; Annamarie (Austin Mathews) Skaggs; Ty Skaggs; Emily (Tucker Hamblin) Herman; Lisa Elliott; his nephew Zachary, and many cousins, and friends.  

Josh is preceded in death by his beautiful daughter Lyla Sue; his father and step-mother Richard and Marilyn Warrner; his grandpa Lowell Warrner; grandparents Arnold and Virgina Popkin; grandparents-in-law William Skaggs, Donald & Waltraud Cox, Laura Power and John Wyatt; brother-in-law Dennis Romaker; honorary sister Sarah Callaway; and his big brother and friend, Ethan Thomas. 

Funeral service will be held at 12:00 noon on Wednesday, May 29^th, 2024 at the Farrell-Holland-Gale Funeral Home, 110 S. 7^th Street in Oregon, IL with Rev. Ryan Sutton pastor of the First United Methodist Church in Princeton, IL. Visitation will be prior to the service from 10:00 AM till noon at the funeral home.  In lieu of flowers, donations are being accepted to assist with Joshua's funeral expenses at GoFundMe, or donations may be made directly to funeral home. Any donation over funeral expenses will be put into an account for his kids. 

Josh's family would like to give the biggest thank you to April Smith for his last-ever Twisted Teas, everyone who followed his journey over the last two years, the wonderful community at Sisters Hope Foundation, Memorial Home Hospice Nurses who cared for him at home, & "Nice Abby" his hospice aide.  

They want to also give the biggest thank you to the amazing staff at 2E Oncology at Springfield Memorial Hospital for their phenomenal care, advocacy & love shown to him and his family at the end of his life.  His family would also like to thank the Mott and Henning Funeral Home in Athens, Illinois for their comforting care.

Josh, a true warrior in every sense, will be deeply missed by all who had the privilege to know him. May his resilient spirit continue to inspire us all.

 https://gofund.me/f9a4d23e