Obituary of Sean Charles Ilgen

On Tuesday, July 4, 2023, Sean Charles Ilgen passed away unexpectedly. He was 36 years old.

Sean Ilgen was born in State College, Pennsylvania on August 21, 1986. He was the second child of Judi Everett and Dennis Ilgen. In 1997, he moved to Grand Junction, Colorado, where he made many lifelong friends.

At a very young age, it was apparent Sean had a natural athletic disposition. He was involved in wrestling, archery, football, basketball, soccer and baseball throughout his childhood and teenage years. His love of sports continued throughout his adult life.

Sean graduated from the University of Northern Colorado in 2011 followed by the decision to join the US Navy in May of 2012. He served his active-duty sea tour as a submariner aboard the USS Jimmy Carter involving three missions vital to national security. He then concluded his active-duty enlistment in Charleston, South Carolina at the Nuclear Power Training Unit as a Senior Operations Manager and Nuclear Power Training Coordinator. He transitioned from active duty to the US Navy Reserves where he proudly served as a Petty Officer First Class (E-6) Nuclear Electronics Technician (ETN1-SS).

Sean was very accomplished in his life. He juggled being a full-time father, full-time employee, full-time student and full-time Navy Reservist. He was enrolled in Arizona State University’s Electrical Engineering program with an expected graduation date in the fall of 2023. During his time as a student, he made the Dean’s List multiple times. He also obtained additional certifications professionally like CompTia Security+ and Project Management Professional (PMP) to further advance his career. But his greatest accomplishments of all were his two daughters, Leighton, and Collins.

In his limited down-time, Sean enjoyed acting as a personal playset for his children, going to the gym and playing golf. He could sleep anywhere at any time in any position and was always ready for a snack - especially if they were Sour Patch Kids or Oreos. And if you knew Sean, you knew he would often mix up metaphors and create his own version that we referred to as “Seanisms.” They were hilarious and we will all miss hearing them.

Sean is survived by his daughters Leighton Renee Ilgen (age 5), and Collins LaVee Ilgen (age 2); their mother Haley Renee Ilgen, Charleston, SC; parents Judi and John Everett, Liberty Hill, TX; father Dennis Ilgen, State College, PA; brother Brandon Ilgen (Anastasia), Albuquerque, NM; nephew Ruslan Ilgen, Albuquerque, NM; niece Ksenia Ilgen, Albuquerque, NM; Grandparents Harlen and Glenda Gibson, Grand Junction, CO; Aunts Elizabeth Markey (Markey), Las Vegas NV; Patricia Corbett Hamel (Mike), Pleasant Gap, PA; Kelly Loxdale (Ray), Hubley, Nova Scotia, Canada; Uncles, Matthew Gibson, Grand Junction, CO; William Gibson, Grand Junction, CO; Mel Everett (Peter) Edmonds WA; Brad Everett (Debbie), Silverdale WA; Cousins, Megan Kingsbury (Brett), Grand Junction, CO; Rebekah Johnson, Kansas City, MO; Gina Johnson, Las Vegas, NV; Stephanie Tschida (Taylor), Las Vegas, NV; Kyra Maxfield, Liberty Hill, TX; Zach Gibson, Grand Junction, CO; Evey Huskisson (Alex), Jonesboro, AR; Pat Corbett (Regina), Bellefonte, PA, Daniel Corbett, Spring Mills, PA; Adam Ilgen, Lake of the Ozarks, MO; Britni Everett, Seattle, WA; Austin Everett (Nicole), Wenatchee, WA; Julia Young (Adam), Woodinville, WA; Zachary Loxdale (Jessica), Lacombe, Alberta, Canada; Logan Everett, Jacksonville, FL; his precious dogs Tucker and Piper, who live with his mom.

He is preceded in death by his Aunt Kristina Maxfield, grandparents, Lloyd and Shirley Ilgen and Jack and Bunny Everett.

Service will be held on Thursday July 13th at 1:00 PM at Simplicity Lowcountry Cremation & Burial.

7474 Peppermill Parkway, Suite E North Charleston, SC 2941