Cole M. Cavanaugh

Cole M. Cavanaugh, 25, of Appleton, Wisconsin, formerly of Bradley, Illinois, passed away unexpectedly Monday, September 11, 2023, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He was born February 11, 1998, in Blue Island, the son of Mike Cavanaugh and Donna Sieben. He was a 2016 graduate of Bradley Bourbonnais Community High School and went on to Southern Illinois University, Carbondale. He was an accountant, or as his brother called him, a professional nerd. Cole was known for cracking way too many dad jokes and really enjoyed pushing his brother, Mitch’s, buttons. He loved playing video games and spending time with his partner in crime, Darien. When he wasn’t playing videogames, he liked to travel, hike, and sing Karaoke with friends, where he was known as a mic hog. Cole really had a love for Jurassic Park and dinosaurs in general. He is survived by his mother and stepfather, Donna and Wes White of Petersburg, VA; his father and stepmother, Mike and Dina Cavanaugh of St. Cloud, FL; his soulmate and life partner, Darien Haffner of Appleton, WI; his brother, Mitch Cavanaugh of Arvada, CO; his stepsiblings, Jessica (Ronnie) Cato of Georgia, Jason (Sarah) White of Kentucky, Amanda (Billy) Richards of Dwight; Sarah (Zach) Dunbar of Bourbonnais, Travis (Jamie) White of Kankakee; Tyler Surprenant of Bradley, Travis Surprenant of St. Cloud, FL, and Wesley White of Bloomington; 17 nieces and nephews; one fur-nephew, Charlie; paternal grandparents, Bill and Kax Cavanaugh of Kankakee; aunts and uncles, Paulette Swierk of Crestwood, Diane and Martin Meador of St. Peter, Missouri, as well as Terri and Bill McCue of Coal City; several cousins; mother-in-law to be, Debbie Haffner; as well as many friends and extended family. Cole is preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, Ray and Joan Sieben; an aunt, Marnie Cavanaugh; and an infant uncle, John Cavanaugh. A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, September 30, 2023, at Jensen Funeral Home, Kankakee from 1pm until the memorial service at 3pm. There will be a luncheon after the service, along with some karaoke; prepare your favorite song to perform. Please wear your favorite Jurassic Park or Dinosaur attire. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the family at https://gofund.me/283af989