On Thursday, November 27, 2025 Terry Lynn Flechs passed away at his home in Swansea, Illinois, surrounded by family. He was 61 years old.
Terry was born on December 18, 1963, at 11:19 p.m. at Fairfield Memorial Hospital in Fairfield, Illinois, to Bob and Lee Flechs. To mark his birth, Gualdoni’s Pharmacy gifted his parents two William Rogers Birth Record silver spoons—symbols of hope that wealth would follow the child throughout life. Terry did, indeed, live a life of abundance, though not measured in material terms. He was rich in love, creativity, and the deep, enduring friendships that shaped his world.
Terry was a study in contrasts. He was never one for easy pleasantries or surface-level politeness, yet he possessed a genuine empathy that made his relationships honest, intentional, and lasting. Those who knew him understood that his care ran deep, expressed not through performative acts, but through presence and loyalty.
While his personality was often low-key, his inner life was anything but quiet. As a student at Southern Illinois University in Carbondale, Terry would begin collaborating with a remarkable group of musicians, to transform his internal, carefully contained chaos into lyrics, bass lines, and performances that were raw, spontaneous, original, and joyfully unconcerned with conformity. Thus, Terry’s Hunting Sleeve years began.
After graduating from SIU in 1987, Terry and his bass guitar set out with his bandmates—childhood friend Martin Vaughan (guitar/vocals), Brian Overall (saxophone/vocals), Jeff Townsend (percussion), and Scott Seaman (“Lucky,” sound engineer)—on a cross-country journey. They planted roots in Boston, Massachusetts, where they honed their craft, expanded their creative horizons, and tested their music before wider audiences. Those years remain a vivid chapter of Terry’s life, marked by artistic risk, camaraderie, and unforgettable performances.
In time, Terry’s life took on a new rhythm. After a long courtship, he married Cheryl Russell. During their 20-year marriage, they made their home in suburban Chicago, where they raised two children, Tyler and Sydney Flechs. Fatherhood became one of Terry’s most meaningful roles, and he carried it with quiet devotion and deep love.
Terry was preceded in death by his parents, Bobby and Lee Flechs. He is survived by his beloved children, Tyler and Sydney Flechs; his devoted siblings – a brother, David (Debra) Flechs; his sister, Kimberly (Jamie) House; and his ex-wife, Cheryl Russell, who remained a loyal co-parent and dear friend.
Terry leaves behind spaces that cannot be filled—as a father, a sibling, a musician, and a friend. Yet within those spaces live his music and the unmistakable imprint of a life lived with authenticity, creativity, and heart.
Join us for Terry’s Celebration of Life. Logistics are as follows:
Date: Saturday, February 28th
Location: The Landing, 119 NE 3rd Street, Fairfield, Illinois
Time: 1:00 to 4:00PM
In lieu of flowers, please send donations to: https://www.waynewhitecoop.com/community/works-program/dr-dennis-scranton-memorial-cancer-fund/
