Cleothis (Cleo) Lincoln, the second eldest of eight children born on July 30, 1944, to King and Bertha Lincoln of Forrest City, Arkansas, transitioned from this life to be with the Lord on Monday, August 31, 2026.

Cleo accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior at a young age and faithfully served as a Deacon at Dixmoor Community Church in Country Club Hills.

Born in Forrest City, Arkansas, Cleo's family migrated from Memphis, Tennessee to Illinois in the 1950s with five sons. He attended Fairmont Elementary and Junior High School before going on to graduate from Lockport Township High School in Lockport, IL.

Cleo was united in marriage to Helen James for 51 blessed years. Together they made their home in Morris, IL, where they raised their great-grandson, Jae'Dhyn, as their own. Cleo began his working career at Commonwealth Edison, where he rose to the position of Foreman at the Dresden Nuclear Plant before retiring. Still driven by a desire to serve, he followed in his mother's footsteps and became a school bus driver instructor for several years.

Cleo had a lifelong love of sports and community. He actively participated in golf in recent years— as well as football, bowling, basketball, baseball, and softball. He was a proud member of Elks Lodge 167, a Black Freemason, and a member of the Brothers of Soul Motorcycle Club. He also served as President of The Beacon Club for many years.

Cleothis (Cleo) Lincoln was preceded in death by his parents, King and Bertha Lincoln; his sons, Anthony (Tony), Oneal, and Reginald; his brothers, Thedothis (Ted) and King Jr.; and his in-laws, Margarette and Melvin James.

Cleo is survived by his beloved wife, Helen Lincoln; his daughter, Lisa Merrell; great-grandson, Jae'Dhyn; granddaughters, Arieonna Merrell and Breanna McGee; grandson, Dyontae Merrell; great granddaughter, A’Bryia Mitchell; stepson, Eric (Sheila) Dantzler; one sister, Bertha (Jonnie) Robinson; four brothers, Ozell (Maria) Lincoln, Robert (Karan) Lincoln, Terry (LaTinya) Lincoln, and Jerry (Dawn) Lincoln; sisters-in-law Terry James and Shirley (Ed Sr.) Winfrey; one aunt, Marilyn Hammond of Joliet; and a host of grand-children, great grandchildren, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, cousins, nieces, nephews, other relatives and dear friends.