Timothy Dean Clay

Timothy Dean Clay, 58, of Dakota, Illinois, passed away on December 6, 2025. Tim was born on March 16, 1967, to Helen and Arthur Clay and grew up working on the family farm in Dakota, Illinois.

A jack of all trades, Tim trained and worked as an accountant and then as a chiropractor before returning to his true passion, the family farm. Tim loved being a farmer, commenting each year how much he enjoyed being outside and the constantly changing work with new challenges every day. Throughout the years, the farm grew and became Clay Organic Seeds with two brothers, two sons and a nephew all working together with Tim to make that happen.

Over the years, Tim also served on the Dakota Volunteer Fire Department, the Dakota School Board and now as the Supervisor for Dakota Township. Outside of work, Tim enjoyed spending time with his family, reading God's word, traveling the country to see God's creation and playing Euchre every chance, he got.

Tim married his wife, Barbara, on May 19, 1990 and had four children. Tim is survived by his wife, Barbara; his children, Shannon, Sherry (Derek) Martin, Jared and Kaitlyn; and two grandchildren. Tim is also survived by his mother, Helen and nine brothers and sisters: Nancy Gray, Jerry (Elaine) Clay, Jim (Kathy) Clay, Diane Clay, Judy (Gary) Stalter, Jackie DeMeester, Marilyn (David) Parsell, Barbara (David) Monigold, Jill (Bob) Zimmerman and brother-in-law Jeffrey Lubbers.

He is predeceased by his father, Arthur; his sister, Donna Lubbers; and his brothers-in-law, Leonard Gray and Jim DeMeester.

A visitation will be held on Saturday December 13, 2025, from 10 AM – 11:30 AM, at the Schwarz Park Blvd Chapel, 608 S. Park Blvd in Freeport. Funeral service will follow at 12 noon at Zion Church, 4292 W. Stephenson St Road in Freeport, with a luncheon to follow. Interment at Pioneers Cemetery.

All donations will go towards various christian charities that Tim was proudly involved with.