Zaydin Jon Dudra
September 25, 2000 ~ April 8, 2021
Zaydin Jon Dudra, 20, of Taylorville, passed away on Thursday, April 8, 2021 as the result of an automobile accident.
Zaydin was born September 25, 2000 in Taylorville, the son of Jessica L. Dudra and Aaron W. Augustine. He graduated from Taylorville High School with the Class of 2019. While in high school, Zaydin worked for Arby’s, and the summer of his graduation he worked for the City of Taylorville Water Department. For the past year, he had been employed at Kroger in Taylorville.
Zaydin was goofy, in the best possible way. He was athletic, playing many sports in his youth, but his favorites were always biking and skateboarding. Zaydin was a shoe aficionado, a bookworm, and a fantastic cook. Most of all, he was the best son, brother, grandson, and friend. Zaydin would do anything for his family and friends. He also loved animals, especially his dogs, Benny and Clyde, and his cat, Monroe.
He was preceded in death by his maternal grandmother, Lisa A. Dudra; and many great grandparents.
Zaydin is survived by his mother, Jessica Dudra of Taylorville; father, Aaron Augustine of Taylorville; brother, Kellen Augustine of Taylorville; sister, Kayla Hector of Springfield; maternal grandfather, John Dudra of Taylorville; paternal grandmother, Erica (husband, David) O’Brien of Moweaqua; paternal grandfather, Glenn (wife, Connie) Augustine of Lake Lillian, MN; great grandfather, Ronald D. Augustine of Decatur; uncle, Josh Dudra of Taylorville; great aunts, Crytal Farris of Pana, and Donna Maninfior of Mattoon; great uncle and great aunt, G.J. and Molly Miller of Edwardsville; several other aunts and uncles from the Augustine family; 1 niece; many cousins; and his best friends, Robert, Spencer, David, RobBob, Jacob, Richard, Tommy, and Zaylan.
Zaydin’s family would like to send their thoughts, prayers, and condolences to the other families who were affected by this tragedy.
Visitation: The family will receive guests from 4:00-7:00 p.m. on Thursday, April 15, 2021 at Shafer-Perfetti & Assalley Funeral Home, 202 W. Franklin Street, Taylorville, IL 62568.
Funeral Ceremony: 10:30 a.m. on Friday, April 16, 2021 at Shafer-Perfetti & Assalley Funeral Home.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to: Zaydin’s Family c/o Shafer-Perfetti & Assalley Funeral Home, or the American Cancer Society, 4215 Lindell Blvd, St. Louis, MO 63108.
Please visit www.assalleyfuneralhomes.com to share memories of Zaydin, or offer condolences to his family.
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I worked with Zaydin at
Kroger he was such a good guy to be around. Such an easy going guy to work with. He was always smiling and joking around with most of us co workers. We all started being friends with him and looked forward to seeing him coming into work. I am truly going to miss him and miss him laugh and smile. My thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends. May he Rest In Peace. Watch over us all Zaydin! 🙏🏻🙏🏻
I grew to absolutely love seeing Zaydin every time I would go into Kroger. I would ask him every time how he was and he would always tell me “oh you know livin the Kroger dream”. We would always have the best conversations and he always had a smile on his face and was just happy all the time. He would always brighten my day with his contagious smile. He and my son Zach worked together and were friends so every time he would be with me the conversation was pretty interesting to say the least but always a good one. It’s just not the same going into Kroger now knowing this amazing soul is not going to be there to carry on conversations with anymore. Fly high sweet Zaydin you are and always will be missed.
Zaydin was more than a Kroger employee. He was a courteous ambassador, who welcomed customers, offered assistance and sent them on their way with a heartfelt “Thank You” and a dazzling smile. Surely an ambassador to the Court of St. James in the United Kingdom could not have been more gracious or courtly. As a neighbor of John “Rod” Dudra, we know this was one proud grandfather. And Zaydin, we are told, was John’s first grandchild. For such a tragedy as the loss of Zaydin, the family “bookworm,” we struggled to find adequate words to express present sorrow and lost possibilities. And so we turned to Shakespeare, the greatest wordsmith of all: “Good night, sweet prince. And flights of angels sing thee to thy rest!”
My best memories of Zaydin were the times we would be at family events and we always would talk about what books we were reading. Avid readers like Zaydin just have a way with language and that was just a joy. That smile and his sincere interest in whatever conversation we were having. This is so heart-wrenching to think about. Keeping you all in my prayers!
Jessica and family so sorry for your loss it has to be hard for you. Zaydin is a cute kid and looks just like you. I was so surprise when I read his name in the news. I never meet Zaydin you was pregant when I moved away you from being your next door neighbor for about 8 years and I couldnt believe he was 20 yrs old the time flew by. I am thinking about you at this times of sadness. Take care and hold him in your heart until you meet again he is up in heaven with your grandma and your mom now watching over you. Tammy Kuznik (Trevor and Tiffany Blome mom)
“Zaydin’s family would like to send their thoughts, prayers, and condolences to the other families who were affected by this tragedy.”
Even in the midst of their own pain and suffering, the family opened their heart to other people, many of them strangers, to console them on their loss. May God bless and comfort them.
“Therefore let those who suffer according to God’s will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good.”
James 1:2 ESV