Friends Remember Jeremy Asbell: 'He Always Had the Biggest Smile on His Face'

Those who knew Jeremy Asbell say he always had a smile on his face.

Asbell, 25, was Thursday morning. The Bolingbrook native and 2004 graduate was after he and a friend were tossed from a canoe that capsized on the pond. 

Crews discovered Asbell's body after the pond, at Frontage Road and Woodward Avenue. Preliminary results of an autopsy indicate Asbell died of an accidental drowning and there is no indication of foul play or suspicious circumstances, according to a release from the DuPage County Coroner's Office.

“I used to work with Jeremy at Plato's Pizza, as well as his brother Jeff,” said Johnny Lopez on the Bolingbrook Patch Facebook page. “I also played football and wrestled with him at RHS. He was a great worker as well as an amazing athlete.

"We always had a great time. Jeremy always had a smile on his face and I never [saw] him in a bad mood. I saw him [two] Fridays ago. We caught up on a lot and then parted ways. I'm glad I had the chance to know him.”

Asbell is survived by two sons—Tyler, 6, and Landen, 21 months—as well as two siblings, Jeffrey and Alicia. His Facebook page said he lived in Darien.

Romeoville High School Principal Derek Kinder, who coached Asbell during his days on the wrestling and football team, said he was always one of the most popular kids in school and was a hard worker in and out of the classroom.

“He was determined and successful,” Kinder said. “In sports he was extremely talented and had all the tools—size and smarts—to be successful. As a coach, he was a great kid to have because win or lose, he was hard working and happy.

“That’s probably the best I can describe him—he was happy-go-lucky. Just a great kid.”

Kinder said he was in shock upon learning of Asbell’s death.

“Whenever you hear of former students that you knew well being in such a crisis … it just makes you think about how short life can be,” Kinder said. “All of the staff here at RHS … the people that knew [Asbell] and his family are in our thoughts and prayers. Especially his brother and sister, who were both students at Romeoville High School. The whole family were just good kids.”

Asbell’s memorial visitation, according to the Bolingbrook-McCauley Funeral Chapel and Crematorium, will be held Monday from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. A memorial service will be held at at 10 a.m. Tuesday.

Nina Henry, a friend of Asbell, said he had a big heart and loved his family and kids.

“My brothers and Jeremy played T-ball and Little League together,” Henry said on Bolingbrook Patch’s Facebook page. “I just remember Jeremy as always having the biggest smile on his face no matter what … and never had a problem making friends.”

More tributes:

Carolyn Liaromatis, friend: “When Jeremy was younger, his family had an angry little dog that made it hard to hang out over there lol.”

Denise Black Windle, a friend’s mother: “Jeremy was a kind person. He worked with my son at U.S. Cellular. My daughter loved for him to fix her phone because it was always better when Jeremy did it. God Bless his family.”

Russell Fletcher, a friend’s father: “Our younger son and daughter played T-ball with Jeremy until the year they won the Bolingbrook championship [1993]. We enjoyed the several seasons of T-ball we shared with the Asbell family. Our thoughts and prayers are with Linda, Alicia and the rest of the family members, as well as Jeremy's many friends.”