The Peoria-area community is reeling from the sudden death of Cole Patrick Thierer, a 22-year-old Dunlap native whose life ended during a tragic accident while he was visiting Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. News of his passing traveled quickly back home, leaving behind a wave of disbelief and heartbreak among family, friends, and everyone who knew the young man whose presence seemed to steady a room.
Thierer was in the popular resort city when the accident occurred, catching loved ones completely off guard. Details surrounding what happened have remained limited, with local authorities releasing little information. For his family, the shock has been compounded by the painful logistics of bringing him home, a process no parent ever expects to face with a child so young.
Back in central Illinois, support for the Thierer family has been immediate and deeply personal. Friends have filled social media with stories of Cole’s easy humor, his warmth, and a kindness that never felt forced. He had a way of making people feel seen, remembered for checking in often and showing up when it mattered. To many, he wasn’t just a friend—he was the dependable one.
Born on March 15, 2003, Cole was the son of Jeff and Mindi (Meyer) Thierer. He is survived by his parents; his brother, Talen; his sister, Ella; grandparents John and Dawn Meyer and Joe and Sue Thierer; aunts and uncles Chris (Amy) Thierer, Michelle (Joe) Kahn, and Joe Thierer; cousins Jordan Thierer, Keri Thierer, Jack Kahn, and Lucy Kahn; and his longtime girlfriend, Anastasia. He is also survived by a wide circle of extended family and friends. He was preceded in death by his uncle, Drew Meyer.
Family sat at the center of Cole’s world. Even as he lived away from home in recent years, those closest to him say he never let distance weaken connection. Daily calls, quick check-ins, and a habit of ending every conversation with “I love you” were just part of who he was—small moments that now carry enormous weight.
Cole was fiercely loyal to his friends and deeply devoted to Anastasia. Some of his happiest days were spent with her and their French bulldogs, Mav and Winnie, whom he jokingly called his “boys.” Those moments, filled with laughter and routine comfort, are the memories his friends say best capture him.
Driven well beyond his years, Cole showed ambition early. At just 18, he founded his own company and pursued entrepreneurship with confidence and discipline. He was outspoken about his conservative political views, never shying away from discussion but always engaging others thoughtfully. Those who debated him say he listened as much as he spoke, grounded in conviction without losing respect.
As the community continues to mourn, gratitude echoes alongside grief. People speak not only of what was lost, but of what was given—a life that, though brief, left a lasting mark. Cole Thierer’s legacy lives on in the relationships he nurtured, the love he gave freely, and the steady presence that so many will miss.
Visitation will be held from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Friday, December 19, 2025, at Wright and Salmon Mortuary. A memorial Mass will follow on Saturday, December 20, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Jude Catholic Church, with visitation one hour prior. Father Jack Watt will officiate. Afterward, the family will welcome friends and loved ones to Mt. Hawley Country Club to celebrate Cole’s life.
