Quinton Sayger, 23, of Rochester, was called home to the Lord as a result of a tragic automobile accident at 4:23 p.m. Tuesday, July 2, 2024. He was on his way to a play-date with his beautiful 2-year-old daughter, Athena.
Quinton Riley Sayger was born Aug. 15, 2000, in Bloomington, to parents Scott and Jennifer (Stein) Sayger. In 2006, he moved to Rochester with his father and his brother, Calvin, so that they could be closer to family.
Quinton and Calvin were the best of buddies their entire lives. Quinton was always the antagonist, but the love was apparent. He constantly looked out for his brother, serving as a guide and mentor for much of his life. Quinton took on that role of leader very easily, but also understood that he needed to show his brother how to be a leader as well. He could not have been more proud of Calvin’s accomplishments, whether on the stage, on the field, or life in-general. They were two peas in a pod and loved each other as much as any two brothers can.
Quinton’s brilliant eyes and contagious smile quickly earned him many lifelong friends wherever he would go. He was bursting with life as his optimism, his curiosity and his capricious nature were undeniable. His entrepreneurial spirit and confident resolve always pushed him forward while his piercing personality and hope for the future pulled him even faster. Momentum was always on his side.
Growing up, he loved going to his Grandma Mel’s house at the lake, where he would swim and play with his cousins until he was completely exhausted. He enjoyed kayaking, fishing, hiking and anything else he could do outside. He loved nature and loved hanging out with his Papaw Tim who gave him his first knife and taught him how to whittle (and whistle at girls). Of course, he also loved going out to Scottsdale to see his Grandma Kat, where he got to explore an entirely different landscape in the arid desert.
Quinton was a Zebra through and through, despite appearing more like a bucking bronco at times. He lettered in both varsity football and swimming while attending Rochester High School. He never liked authority, but he always respected the folks that were trying to help him be a better person. Quinton graduated from RHS in 2019. He could not have been more proud to have earned his degree and forever remain a Zebra.
Always a hard worker, he was the first guy to arrive and the last guy to leave a job. Quinton was gifted with his hands and as creative as can be. This passion for hands-on work recently put him on a career path with the Dilling group where he beat out hundreds of applicants for a spot in a 4-year program as an apprentice pipefitter and welder. He worked there for 3 weeks. Everyday he sent a text saying how much he loved it.
Growing up as a member of the First Baptist Church in Rochester, Quinton had a great foundation for his relationship with the Lord. His recent experiences as a member of Inspiration Ministries in Kendallville and Celebrate Recovery in Rochester served as catalysts that led Quinton to fall deeply in love with the Lord. He read his Bible devotions daily. He prayed as if Christ were standing next to him at all times. He gave his life to Christ and is most certainly now serving as an angel in the Lord’s army.
Although we remember Quinton for his twinkling blue eyes and a bright smile that would light up any room, his greatest legacy is found in his beautiful daughter, Athena. She was the love of his life, and she truly adored her Daddy. She was his purpose for everything he did. He wanted so badly to spend more time with her and was working very hard to make that happen. He was on his way to see her when the accident took place. The family asks that everyone please keep Athena in their thoughts and prayers.
Left to cherish Quinton's memory are his precious daughter, Athena Ann Rose Sayger; mother, Jennifer and Michael Sciscoe, of Bloomington; father, Scott and Glenda Sayger, of Rochester; brother, Calvin Joseph Sayger; stepbrothers, Justin Jordan and John Sciscoe; stepsisters, Jessica Jordan and Elizabeth Sciscoe; maternal grandparents, Kathy Till, Tim and Pam Stein; paternal grandmother, Mary Ellen Lowe; and many aunts, uncles and cousins.
The family takes solace in knowing that he was loved by all and that he had actively worked to redeem his past transgressions. He lived a simple, clean life that allowed him to be the best person he could be. As we all seek to understand the reason for this tragedy, please consider Quinton’s daily mantra that he shared with his mother every time they hung up or signed off. “Hugs, loves, smiles.” That is Quinton Riley Sayger.
A celebration of the life of Quinton Riley Sayger is at 5 p.m. Monday, July 8, 2024, in the Good Family Funeral Home, 1200 W. 18th St., Rochester. Friends are encouraged to visit with the family from 3 p.m. until the time of the service. Please bring your best stories to share with the family and the public, if you choose.
Burial will be at a later date at the Rochester IOOF Cemetery. Memorials in lieu of flowers may be made to the Athena Ann Rose Sayger Trust Fund c/o First Federal Savings Bank, 301 E. Ninth St., Rochester, Indiana 46975. Envelopes are available at the funeral home. Online expressions of sympathy may be made to his family at www.goodfamilyfh.com.
