Jenna R. Protz

Jenna R. Protz, 14, of Vandalia, Illinois, passed away Saturday, November 16, 2019, in an auto accident, near Hillsboro, IL.

Services will be held at 2:00 PM, Saturday, November 23, 2019, at First United Methodist Church, Vandalia, IL, with Chaplains Scottie Wilson and Lee Taylor officiating. Burial will follow at Fairlawn Cemetery, Vandalia, IL. Visitation will be held from 3:00 PM to 8:00 PM, Friday, November 22, 2019, at First United Methodist Church, Vandalia, IL and from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM on Saturday prior to the service at the church. Memorials: Shriners Hospitals For Children and/or Old Capitol Foundation, (which benefits the Vandalia Community Schools). Miller Funeral Home, Vandalia, IL, is in charge of arrangements. Online memories and condolences may be shared with the family at www.millerfh.net.

She was born August 3, 2005, in Effingham, IL, the daughter of Randol "Randy" Keith & Brenda Diane (Baptist) Protz.

Jenna was a freshman at Vandalia Community High School. She was a member of the First United Methodist Church and attended the weekly youth group, and she was a member of Fellowship of Christian Athletes and Code Red at Vandalia Community High School.

Jenna was a member of the VCHS volleyball and basketball programs and was so excited to begin her basketball career in the gymnasium she grew up in. Other activities included Vandalia Jr. High volleyball, basketball, softball and track. She was a jr. high school state qualifier in discus.  

Outside of school, Jenna was born into a family of life long drag racers and was the fourth generation of the Protz family to be involved. She began driving her jr. dragster at the age of 8 and saw a lot of win lights from day one. She especially enjoyed when the win light came for her against the boys! 

Jenna loved watching sports, especially the St. Louis Cardinals, Duke University, University of Alabama, the Vandalia Vandals, and other teams.

Jenna loved being with family, her dog Hoosier and most of all, her friends. She was a lover of keeping up with her SnapChat streaks and her 11:11 crew. She loved shopping, macaroni and cheese, fake succulent plants, sloths, penguins, and anything tiny she could collect. She will always be remembered for making others laugh, her silly faces, her fun personality, her smile, her ability to accept everyone and her selflessness.  

She is survived by: Father - Randy Protz & Janel, Vandalia, IL; Mother - Brenda Protz & Heidi Silveira, Springfield, IL; Sister - Brandy Michelle Protz, Vandalia, IL; Grandparents  - Frank "Buzz" Baptist & Barbara, Jacksonville, IL; Uncle - Brian Baptist & Jenny, Jacksonville, IL; Cousins - Makenna and Daxton, Jacksonville, IL; and Step-Brother - Quinton Kornegay, Belleville, IL. 

Preceded in death by: Parental Grandparents - William "Bill" and Jackolyn Protz.

We love you. See you soon. 

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