Maine East Grad Who Died in Fall at NIU Rembered as Natural Athlete Who Was Well-Liked, Respected

By AMIE SCHAENZER (Patch Staff)

A 19-year-old Volo teen who died after falling from the 11th floor of a residence hall at Northern Illinois University over the weekend is being remembered as a natural athlete who was well-liked and respected.

Oluwarotimi “Timi” Okedina was a 2014 gradate of Maine East High School in Park Ridge where he was an “accomplished student and athlete who was involved in numerous aspects of student life at Maine East,” according to a statement from District 207.

“Timi was well­-liked and respected by students and staff at Maine East and is remembered as a diligent student who was kind and respectful,” according to the statement. “Timi was a leader on the Blue Demon varsity soccer team and was instrumental in the success of the 2011 Regional Champion team.”

Okedina fell from the 11th floor of Stevenson Towers at NIU Saturday night after removing a screen from a window, Northern Illinois Public Radio reports. Police werenot releasing detailssurrounding how the fall occurred, the Daily Chronicle report.

Timi was a sophomore at NIU where he was pursuing a degree in Geology, according to his obituary.

“Timi’s natural curiosity about the way the world works sparked a deep interest in science during his years at Maine East,“ according to the District 207 statement.

The teen, who was born in Nigeria but was raised primarily in the Chicago area, also enjoyed playing basketball and baseball and was a talented artist and poet, according to his obituary. Timi was an active member of Young and Free Ministry of Calvary Redemption Center in Skokie.

A vsitation will be held from 3 to 9 p.m. at Smith-Corcoran Funeral Home, 6150 Cicero Ave. in Chicago. A funeral service will be held at the funeral home at 10 a.m. on Friday. Interment will be at Rosehill Cemetery.

Counseling services are being offered at Maine East High School and at NIU as students and staff grieve the loss of Timi.