CEDARVILLE — Rod Quies has been known as “Santa Claus” and listening to the Christmas wishes of thousands of children for the past two decades. But this year, he won’t be putting up the lights, figurines, sleigh and other decor to hold the popular “Christmas in the Country.”

“It’s just too heartbreaking,” he said. “I don’t know how to explain it.”

Family members, including his wife, Pat, and daughter, Paula, have been diagnosed with cancer, he said. The news has brought him enough sadness to cancel the event he’s celebrated and loved for 20 years. 

“I just can’t bring myself to do it,” he said. 

Quies, 78, is known in the surrounding area for his decorated rural home on Richland Road. Each year he comes out dressed as Santa with a bustling “ho ho ho!” to excite the long line of people waiting. He would climb into a large sleigh, with elves to help, and children — one by one — would sit on his lap to share their Christmas wishes.   

Lighted figures among the pathway led to hot chocolate, often handed out by Quies’ wife, Pat, along with treats and even gifts. Each child received an ornament signed by Santa himself.

He said his wife has been in the log cabin along the pathway handing out hot chocolate for 114 nights. She also enjoyed the Christmas that came to life right outside their door.

His daughter’s cancer is terminal, Quies said, and he wants to spend all of the time he can with her. 

The home, in rural Cedarville, had an extensively decorated yard, lighted figurines, a small chapel and lights atop 20-foot trees adorning the home with icicle lights. Through the years, he has refused all donations, telling the Times last year the gift of happiness was enough for him. 

But this year, the country home that once was a place of merriment and the mark of the Christmas season for so many will take a break, to deal with health and prioritize family.

“Maybe next year,” Quies said. “The children have meant so much to me, but my family means more.”

Now that word is out through local news stations and social media, an event has been created on Facebook in an attempt to return the feeling of giving to Quies after all he has done for local children. 

“…what better way to show our thanks and love than to have the children/families send cards, letters, pictures to the family!”

The event explains that a “group of locals in Freeport” decided to team up and create the event, hoping cards, letters, photos or anything can be sent to the family to bring them any amount of cheer. It lists dates as a recurring event so it stays afloat in the social media circle, not to list dates for visiting or mailing. 

Letters or cards to the Quies family can be sent to 2907 Richland Rd., Freeport, IL 61032. 

— Bridget Cooke contributed reporting