PHILO – Cody Lee Plotner, 12, of Philo, passed away at 11:58 p.m. Tuesday, July 22, 2008, at St. Francis Hospital, Peoria.

Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Saturday at Countryside United Methodist Church, Sidney, with the Rev. Ken Hutchens officiating.

Burial will be at Locust Grove Cemetery, Philo. Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at Freese Funeral Home, 202 W. Main, Sidney.

Cody was born March 25, 1996, in Urbana, a son to Christopher Plotner and Kim Johnson.

Surviving are his father and stepmother, Christopher and Melissa Plotner of Homer; guardian and grandmother, Linda Wicklund, and grandfather Romayne "Wick" Wicklund of Philo; a half brother, Jason Johnson of Sadorus; and several uncles, aunts, cousins and great-grandparents.

He was preceded in death by his grandfather, Michael Plotner.

Cody attended Tolono Unity Junior High School. He participated in the Tom Jones Challenger League and Special Olympics. He was chosen in August 2007 for the Make-A-Wish program, where he was able to go to Bristol, Tenn., and be part of Richard Petty Enterprises race team. He rode with the team in a parade and participated in many other race events with the race team. He was an avid NASCAR fan. He loved all sports, music and monster trucks.

Despite his physical limitations and being unable to speak, he built many special relationships with people.

He would brighten a room when he entered it and was just a wonderful little boy.

Special thanks goes to the many doctors, nurses and the Unit 7 School Staff that treated and taught Cody over the years.

Memorials may be made to Tom Jones Challenger League.