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Community shines Light on Suicide Prevention in honor of Loved One

A typical roofing job takes a crew of about five or six. But on Saturday, the job was different. It was for Jeremiah Jernigan, an East Moline native who took hi...

A typical roofing job takes a crew of about five or six. But on Saturday, the job was different. It was for Jeremiah Jernigan, an East Moline native who took his own life at the age of 15 just days ago.

"He always talked about wanting to help on these job, and I never let him because I was afraid he'd get hurt. So I feel like maybe today's the day," says contractor Anthony Althiser.

Althiser is a roofer and a friend of the Jernigan's. He decided to donate all the profits from a roofing job to Jeremiah's family to use for his funeral expenses. Family and friends of Jeremiah helped out.

"I did everything with him. He was always here. He should be here with me right now," says Javon Jernigan, Jeremiah's brother and best friend.

Jeremiah's mom Nicole used Saturday to remember her son and to shine a light on something she says isn't talked about enough.

"Listen to your kids when they talk to you. Make it a point to spend time with them and talk to them because you never know. There were no warning signs. Mental illness is not a joke, and we need to spread the message because there are kids out here who need help before it's too late," says Nicole.

As the family struggles to find out where to go from here, they turn to each other for comfort, support, and memories of the loved one they lost to mental illness.

If you would like to make a donation to the Jernigan family for funeral costs, any Black Hawk State Bank will take them.

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