(CREDIT: Google Maps)

• UPDATED 3PM DEC. 7
  

A 61-year-old Central School District physical education teacher was killed Thursday when his pickup truck crashed head-on with a semi-trailer truck on IL Route 64 in unincorporated Virgil Township.

According to the Kane County Sheriff’s Office, deputies responded at about 9 a.m. (Thursday, Nov. 29, 2018) to a report of a traffic crash with injuries on Route 64 east of Prairie Street in unincorporated Virgil Township.

(CREDIT: Google Maps)

The initial investigation indicates that a Chevy Colorado driven by Michael Cessna of Sycamore was traveling east on Route 64 and for an unknown reason crossed the center line of the road and was struck by a westbound semi-tractor driven by John Lantz, 54, of Rockford

Cessna, the sole occupant of the Chevy Colorado, was pronounced deceased at the scene. Lantz was transported to Delnor Hospital for apparent non-life-threatening injuries.

“At this point it is not clear why the Chevrolet crossed the center line,” Chief Deputy Patrick Gengler said in a news release.

Kane County Sheriff’s Office detectives and members of the Kane County Accident Reconstruction Team are investigating the crash. No citations have been issued.

A celebration of life in Cessna’s memory will be held from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 7, 2018, at Blumen Gardens, 403 Edward St., Sycamore, IL 60178.

As of 2 p.m. (Thursday), Route 64 was closed from IL Route 47 to Meredith Road while the crash was investigated.

According to social media and news reports, Cessna taught physical education in Central School District 301 and at Lily Lake Grade School, 5N720 Route 47 in Maple Park.

SOURCE: Kane County Sheriff’s Office news release

OBITUARY

Credit: Legacy.com

Michael “Mike” Cessna, 61, of Sycamore, passed away on Thursday, Nov. 29, 2018.

Mike was born in Kewanee, IL, on May 19, 1957, to proud parents John and Dorothy (Croegaert) Cessna.

Mike is survived by his loving wife of 34 years, Jo Cessna; his two children: Katherine (Adam) Katz and Brad (Suzanne) Cessna; his grandson, Graison; his seven siblings; many nieces and nephews, in-laws, and a community of friends.

He is preceded in death by his parents, John and Dorothy Cessna; his brother, John Cessna.

A celebration of life in Cessna’s memory will be held from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 7, 2018, at Blumen Gardens, 403 Edward St., Sycamore, IL 60178.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established in Mike’s name to help fund a playground to honor his memory at Lily Lake School.

Donations may be made to the LL PTC, 5N720 IL-47, Maple Park, IL 60151, or mailed in care of P.O. Box 66, Elburn, 60119. Tributes may also be forwarded to the same addresses, the Conley Funeral Home Facebook Page, or at www.conleycare.com.