Cayden Mahr, of Prairie City Illinois, a A-Town High School graduate and former basketball star, has died in an accident. He was 23.

Mahr’s death occurred on Saturday, October 5, 2024.

“With great sadness, we announce the passing of our son, brother, grandson, and friend, Cayden Daniel Mahr, on October 5, 2024,” his family announced in his obituary.

Cayden was born to Daniel Robert and Naydeen Jan Mahr (née Blout) on June 14, 2001. He was a member of FFA during his High School years and played basketball and football for A-Town High. Students of the 6th grade ATown girls basketball wore maroon during their recent game in honor of Mahr.

Following high school, Mahr earned an associate degree in Diesel and Power Systems Technology at Spoon River College. Mahr worked as a manager in the family business, Heil Trucking. He started working on farms as a young boy alongside his dad and was noted to have a knack for operating machinery.

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News of his death stunned many who paid tribute to him and sent out messages of condolences to his family.

“Cayden was one of the nicest guys I have ever met. I am forever thankful to him not ratting me out for being underage at the Storm Shelter on Tori’s 21st Birthday when he was kicked out, although I could tell he thought about it!!” Alex Chamberlain said in a post on social media.

“Cannot believe this… Cayden was such a good guy. I was lucky enough to call him a buddy of mine growing up as we shared a basketball court together countless times, with each other for a couple years as well as against each other,” said Zach Severns.

Cayden is survived by his parents, Danny and Naydeen and his siblings, Calen and Aeryn. His funeral is slated for Saturday, October 12, 2024, in the Blout machine shed located at Prairie City, Illinois.