Sonja Hicks Amell

KEMPTON— Sonja Hicks Amell, 48 of Kempton and formerly of Wilmington, passed away unexpectedly on Jan. 11, 2021.
Born Dec. 30, 1972 in Joliet, Sonja Renee was a daughter of Laverne and Shirley (Rogers) Nelson. She was raised and educated in Braidwood before moving to Iowa. An avid Steelers fan, Sonja enjoyed attending concerts, and took pleasure in traveling, especially to Tennessee.
Survivors include her husband, Don Amell; three children: Destiny Hicks of Kempton, Devin Hicks of Wilmington and Madison Amell of Kempton; two sisters: Sheila Hicks of Tennessee and Tina Persinger of Ohio; one brother, Bruce (Gail) Nelson of Louisiana; her mother-in-law, Kathy (the late Tom) Tulley of Florida; sisters-in-law: Linda Nelson of Minnesota, Lorie (Gerald) Urban of Gardner and Lisa (Ben) Vlkojan of Florida, and numerous nieces and nephews.
Sonja was preceded in death by her parents; step-mother, Amy Nelson; son James Sanders and one brother, Curtis Nelson.
The family will receive friends for a COVID observant walk through visitation at Baskerville Funeral Home, 700 East Kahler Road in Wilmington on Monday, Jan. 18, 2021 from 10:30 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. A private family service will follow with Pastor Jeff Urban officiating.
Those wishing to participate in Sonja’s services virtually, are welcome to join the live-streamed services beginning at 1:30 p.m. on Monday afternoon, Jan. 18, 2021. A link for the event is available on Sonja’s memorial page.
Burial will be in Oakwood Cemetery, Wilmington, where Sonja will be laid to rest with her son, James.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions be made to support the funeral fund, which has been established on Sonja’s memorial page.
Family and friends are encouraged to sign the guest book, upload photographs and share Sonja’s memorial page online through social media by logging onto: www.BaskervilleFuneral.com/obituary/Sonja-HicksAmell
Funeral services and arrangements have been made under the direction and care of Baskerville Funeral Home in Wilmington.