ILLINOIS' FALLEN WORKERS

These are a few of the men and women that went to work in Illinois and were fatally injured never going home to their families at the end of their shift. We remember, honor and recognize these men and women for their dedication and hardwork. We would like to sincerely thank the families that shared their loved one's picture and their tragic loss with USMWF.

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This photo was sent in by her fiance' Torrence Jones, Sr.

~ 4/13/2020 ~

​MiChelle Abernathy, 52

MiChelle became ill on the job in April 2020 and succumbed to the illness while working for Elisabeth Ludeman Developmental Center in Park Forest, Illinois. She is believed to have contracted the COVID-19 virus while at work.
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Torrence Jones, Sr. - We were scheduled to be married. I, Torrence C Jones Sr. met MiChelle last September working for the State of Illinois. I was one of her instructors she bought joy and happiness to everyone she was around.  She leaves behind her loving mother who has become my best friend Barbara and her sister Carrie who is the backbone of the family

This photo was sent in by his daughter Jet Cytrych.

~ 4/17/1955 - 3/27/2012 ~

Evaristo Alvarado, 57

Evaristo was killed on the job in March 2012 while working for Menards Distribution Center Fleet Department in Plano, Illinois. He was found crushed to death between the forklift and the lifting mechanism.

Federal OSHA investigated the incident and no violations were issued. This inspection is closed.

Inspection: 280614.015 - Menards

Evaristo Alvarado of Sandwich, IL. Born on April 17, 1955 and left us too soon on March 27, 2012. He worked at Menards Distribution Center in Plano, IL in the Fleet Department as a mechanic for most of the Menards stores. He was found crushed to death between the forklift and the lifting mechanism in an empty storage lot in the back of Sycamore, Il's Menards store. He was pronounced dead on the scene by the coroner. To this day Menards has not contacted my mother about anything.

This photo was sent in by his father Maurey, mother Kristy and brother Wyatt Bragg.

~ 01/30/1989 - 07/27/2012 ~

Cody James Bragg, 23

Cody was killed on the job in July 2012 while working for IFH Group (Innovative Fuel Handling Group) in Rock Falls, Illinois. He died when 4500lbs. of steel plates slid off the fork truck and crushed him.

Federal OSHA investigated the incident and proposed a $20,790.00 penalty for three serious violations. In an informal settlement the penalty was reduced to $16,632.00 for three serious violations. The inspection is closed.

Inspection: 551358.015 - The IFH Group, Inc.
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Cody is survived by his Dad, Mom and younger brother, Wyatt. Cody loved doing anything with people, especially his friends. Cody's friends were a very important part of his life and he frequently talked about them with his family. Cody enjoyed spending time with his girlfriend(Kelsey) and her family, outdoor activities, recreational events, bowling, tubing on the river, and especially playing darts and participating on a dart league. Cody loved hanging out at his favorite bar with his closest friends. 400 people attended his funeral-he had more friends in his short life than most people have in a lifetime. Cody was a awesome son and there are no words that can describe him as a person, just as there are no words that can describe the loss of a child. To see more about Cody.

This photo was sent in by his wife Candi Jeppesen.

~05/10/77-01/07/22~

Eric Jeppesen, 44

Eric was fatally injured in January 2022 while working at Industrial Cork Company, Inc. in Chicago, Illinois. At 8:35 a.m. he was laying on a furniture dolly and rolled along a suspended ceiling made of insulated metal panels to retrieve a battery. While rolling along the ceiling tiles, the employee fell from an edge of a panel. The employee was transported by ambulance to the hospital to treat unspecified, blunt force injuries, but later passed.

Federal OSHA investigated and proposed a $21,132 penalty for one serious violation and one repeat violation. In an informal settlement the penalty was reduced to $17,800 for one serious and one repeat violation. This case is still open.

Inspection: 1571577.015 - Industrial Cork Company, Inc.

Eric was an amazing dad to his 2 sons he left behind. At the time of his death Eric Jr. had just turned 12 and Roger was 8. He was their best friend and confidant. They loved celebrating Halloween and the 4th of July together. Eric was also my high school sweetheart we started dating when I was 15 and he 18. We made it 26 years together, 15 of those happily married, he was also my best friend. He lived for Pink Floyd, rock concerts, and his 1957 Chevy Bel Air. We will never be the same without him and miss him dearly every single minute!!

This photo was sent in by his wife, Lisa Mattern.

~ 8/5/1963 - 9/2/22 ~

Mark Mattern, 59

Mark was fatally injured in September 2022 while working for Century Casting Corporation in Swansea, Illinois. He was fatally injured when he was assisting a coworker to troubleshoot an issue with a Roberts Sinto Corporation FBO Series Molding Machine, serial number FMM-0106-00. The machine was incorrectly forming molds due to excessive sand and debris underneath the hydraulic mold lift section. Without shutting the equipment down, de-energizing, or locking the equipment out, the Mark and the coworker used shovels and brooms to clear the sand. The hydraulic mold lift was still not moving into the down position, so he crawled underneath to clear additional sand by hand. While still under the lift section, the lift came down fatally injuring him.

Federal OSHA investigated this incident and proposed a $32,590 fine for four serious and one other than serious violation. In an informal settlement the penalty was reduced to $21,564 for four serious and one other than serious violation. This case is currently opened.

Inspection: 1619284.015 - Century Casting Corporation

Mark was an amazing husband, father and friend. He was a 2nd generation molder following in his father's footsteps. There was nothing Mark wouldn't do to help out anyone in need. He was and always will be the most generous, loving person you would have known.- Lisa Mattern (Wife)

To see more about: Mark

This photo was sent in by his sister Keri Goff.

~ 04/25/1972 – 10/21/2009 ~

​Brian Miller, 37

Brian was killed on the job in October, 2009 while working for Hunter Maintenance and Leasing in Chicago, Illinois. Brian died after a hopper dropped crushing him between the hopper and the framework from the chest down.

Federal OSHA investigated the incident and proposed a $4,200 penalty for two serious violation. In an informal settlement the penalty was reduced to $3,500. This case is closed.

Inspection: 312600042 - Hunter Maintenance & Leasing, Inc.

This photo was sent in by his Aunt, Catherine Rylatt.

~ 07/28/2011 ~

Alex Pacas, 19

Alex was killed in July 2011 while working for Haasbach LLC. in Mount Carroll, Illinois. He was engulfed by grain. Wyatt Whitebread also died in this same incident.

OSHA investigated the incident and proposed a $555,000.00 penalty for willful violations, serious violations and one other than serious violation. In an informal settlement the penalty was reduced $200,000.00 for twelve willful violations, twelve serious violations and one other than serious violation.

There was an additional penalty from Wage and Hour of $68,235.00.

Inspection: 314037433 - Haasbach, L.L.C.

This photo was sent in by his widow Jacki Seaney.

~ 4/28/1972 - 3/12/2010 ~

Doug Seaney, 37

​Doug was killed in March 2010 while working for Herrmann Grain Farms in Hinckley, Illinois. He died when he suffocation in a grain bin.

OSHA dropped the inspection due to too few employee's making this a family farm.

Inspection: 314033903 - Kevin Herrmann Dba Herrmann Farms A Joint Venture

~ 3/28/1969 – 2/3/2017 ~

​Donald R. "Don" Tentler, 47

Donald was killed in February 2017 while working for Identity Services in Geneva, Illinois. He died after being pinned by a lifting device while installing a sign on a bell tower at the shopping center and suffocated. He was a proud member of the IBEW Union Local #701

IDOL currently has no information available.

This photo was sent in by Maria Torres.

~ 5/12/1942 - 6/19/2007 ~

​Jose Torres Sr., 65

Jose was killed in June 2007 in Chicago, Illinois. He was crushed between a forklift and a wall.

This photo was sent in by his parents Gary and Carla Whitebread.

~ 7/20/2011 ~

Wyatt Whitebread, 14  

Wyatt was killed in July 2011 while working for Haasbach LLC, in Mount Carroll, Illinois. He was killed when he was engulfed by grain. Alex Pacas, 19 was also killed and Will Piper, 20, injured.

OSHA investigated the incident and proposed a $555,000.00 penalty for willful violations, serious violations and one other than serious violation. In an informal settlement the penalty was reduced $200,000.00 for twelve willful violations, twelve serious violations and one other than serious violation. There was and additional penalty from Wage and Hour of $68,235.00.

Inspection: 314037433 - Haasbach, L.L.C.