David William Curry

May 2, 1946 — August 11, 2022

David William Curry, 76, of Marissa, Illinois, passed away suddenly on Thursday, August 11, 2022, at home in his beloved garden. Dave was born May 2, 1946, in Taylorville, Ill to parents William and Rosemary Curry. A graduate of Taylorville High School, Dave attended the University of Illinois and earned a degree in forestry. He served in the Illinois Army National Guard and had careers in lumber, mining, and agriculture. Dave loved working hard for his family and like his father before him, began working in the coal mines through his high school and college years. He earned his way through college, and after a career in the lumber industry, Dave returned to coal mining in Southern Illinois and spent over 20 years working for Peabody Coal. Dave cherished the friendships and comradery that he found working amongst the men and women in the mines and kept those memories close. After his career in the coal mine, Dave enjoyed the next several years working in various jobs outdoors, most notably working for the St. Clair County Farm Service. In retirement, Dave put his heart and energy into his garden, as a way to enjoy God’s creation and provide wonderful produce for his family, church, and many others within his community. During periods of his life, Dave was honored to serve as a Deacon and Elder at the Marissa Presbyterian Church (PCA) in Marissa, Ill, and the Bethel Reformed Presbyterian Church (PCA) in Sparta, Ill.

Dave shared his hard work ethic, commitment to serving others, and his love for the outdoors with his children and grandchildren and created many of their most precious memories with him sitting at the pond with fishing lines in the water and the St. Louis Cardinals playing on the radio. When he was not in his garden or visiting around town (with his dog and cat along), Dave could most often be found sitting at his kitchen table working through a crossword puzzle, looking forward to sharing stories or starting a game of Euchre.

Dave met his beloved wife Marsha at the age of 17 and spent the next 59 years giving his heart to her and working to provide a wonderful life for his family. Dave shared his deep faith and confidence in Christ with all who knew him and in his own way leaves behind a cherished example of love, commitment, hard work, generosity, and humility that will live on through his children and their families for generations to come.

David is loved and remembered by his wife of over 54 years, the former Marsha Swinger, his daughters, Suzanne (Tim) Lindquist, Sarah (Darrin) Schertz, and Alyse (Brian) Sandoval; his two sons, Tim (Melissa Oyler) Curry and Jesse (Sarah Wilson) Curry. He is also survived by his precious grandchildren – Andrew (Anne), Zachary (Elyse), Katherine, Timothy, and Lily Lindquist; Allison and Drew Curry; Samuel, Ella Rose, Josiah, Adeline, and Maggie Curry; William and Emma Schertz; Olivia and Louis Sandoval, and his two great grandsons – Tucker Lindquist and Lawson Lindquist.

David is preceded in death by his parents William and Rosemary Curry, and his sister, Janice Freeman.

Family and friends will gather to celebrate Dave’s life with Visitation Services at Bethel Reformed Presbyterian Church in Sparta, Ill, on Tuesday, August 16, 2022, from 5-8 PM and Wednesday August 17th, 2022, from 9-10:30 AM. Funeral Services will be from 11-12 AM, also at the Bethel Reformed Presbyterian Church in Sparta, Ill. Graveside Services will be held the same day (Wednesday August 17th) at 4 PM at the Morrisonville Cemetery in Morrisonville, Ill. In lieu of flowers or gifts, the family would suggest donations to the Randolph County Humane Society or the Bethel Reformed Presbyterian Church. To sign the guestbook, visit www.wilsonsfunerhome.net.