Delbert D. Dunn

MATTOON, IL – Delbert Dean Dunn, age 99 of Mattoon, Illinois, passed peacefully on Saturday, July 20, 2019 while at Brookstone Estates in Charleston, with loving family at his side.  Visitation will be held from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, July 25, 2019 at Adams Funeral Chapel in Charleston.  The Funeral Service, honoring and celebrating his life, will begin at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, July 26, 2019 at the funeral chapel with Reverend Richard Eident officiating.  Burial will follow in the Campground Cemetery located in Paradise Township southwest of Mattoon.  Donations in his honor may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association or to the National Pancreatic Cancer Association and may be left at the visitation/service or mailed to Adams Funeral Chapel, 2330 Shawnee Dr., Charleston, IL 61920.

Delbert was born on October 14, 1919 in Kansas, Illinois, the son of the late Arthur Dean and Beulah Mae (Sutton) Dunn.  He has shared the past 76 years with the love of his life, Stelma (Volkman) Dunn, whom he married on November 7, 1942 in Assumption, Illinois.  In addition to his devoted wife, Delbert is survived by three of their four children, Linda Eagleson and husband Gene of Mattoon, Illinois, Betty Hofstetter and husband Floyd of Lemont, Illinois and James Dunn and wife Patsy of Charleston; a daughter-in-law, Elizabeth (Betty) Dunn of Springfield, Illinois; eight grandchildren, Theresa Eagleson and fiancé Brian Shaw, Michael Eagleson, Andrea Taylor (Dann), Bradley Hofstetter, Teresa Packer (Frank Winnett), Christi Winnett (Kent), Jared Dunn, and Jamey Thomason (Drew); numerous great and great-great-grandchildren; and nieces and nephews who could all lay claim to being his favorite!  In addition to his parents, Delbert was preceded in death by a son, Robert Dunn; one grandchild and one great-great-grandchild; five brothers and two sisters.

Delbert was a graduate of Mattoon High School.  He was a self-employed farmer owning land in the Neoga and Trowbridge area, and was also employed as a brakeman for the Penn Central/Con Rail Railroad.  He was a member of the Mattoon Masonic Lodge #260 A.F. & A.M. and a 32nd Degree Mason with the Valley of Danville Scottish Rite.  He was also a member of the Order of Eastern Star in Gays where he served as Worthy Patron and later at Mattoon.  Delbert was a man of faith and currently held membership with the Mattoon First Christian Church.  For many years he was an active member of the Christian Church in Gays, Illinois where he served his church family in many capacities including the offices of elder, deacon, trustee and treasurer.  Delbert also served on the board of directors for Coles Moultrie, was a Paradise Township Trustee, and a substitute rural mail carrier for Mattoon.

Delbert was gifted and could do just about anything he set his mind to.  He enjoyed such hobbies as fishing and traveling and could also be quite content tinkering around the house.  As a husband, father and grandfather – there was none better!  Delbert had a heart for serving others and led an exemplary life for his family and friends.  His examples of honesty, humility, kindness, love for God and family, and how to be a true gentleman every day, were gifts that were freely given, and are priceless treasures that will forever be cherished by all who knew him. 

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Funeral ServiceThe funeral service honoring and celebrating the life of Delbert Dunn was held at 10:30 a.m. on  Friday, July 26, 2019 with Reverend Richard Eident officiating.  Pianist, Ellen Stitt provided prelude and postlude selections and played some of Delbert's favorites which included "In The Garden", "It Is Well With My Soul", "Amazing Grace" and "I've Been Workin on the Railroad".  Burial followed in the Campground Cemetery located southwest of Mattoon in Paradise Township.  Serving as pallbearers were: Mike Eagleson, Brad Hofstetter, Jared Dunn, Zack Schwerman, Jared Packer and J.C. Packer.  Honorary Pallbearer was Devyn Packer.