David Ellison Hunt

David Hunt\r\n\r\nBloomington- David Ellison Hunt, 58, of Bloomington, IL, formerly of Heyworth, IL, passed away peacefully on August 21, 2010 with his family by his side. \r\n\r\nA celebration of life will begin at 1:00 p.m., Saturday, August 28, 2010 at the First Christian Church in Mattoon, IL with Reverend Robert Clark officiating. Arrangements are being handled by Mitchell-Jerdan Funeral Home, 1200 Wabash Avenue, Mattoon, IL, 61938. \r\n\r\nDavid Hunt was born on August 12, 1952 in Mattoon, IL. He was the fourth of five children born to Ellison and Ruth (Baughman) Hunt.\r\n\r\nHe grew up in Mattoon, IL where he attended Mattoon High School and was an accomplished All-State baseball pitcher for the Green Wave. He went on to attend the University of Illinois on a baseball scholarship. He earned his Bachelor's and Master's degrees from the University of Illinois. \r\n\r\nWhile in high school he met Shelley Kay Decker and the two married June 3, 1973, in Mattoon, while they were both still in college. Dave was an avid University of Illinois sports fan and enjoyed attending and watching the games whenever possible. He enjoyed participating in his children's sports teams as a coach in sports from T-ball to softball. In later years as a parent he got to spend time again traveling to college football games in Indiana, Ohio, and Michigan.\r\nDave was a voracious reader throughout his life. He truly enjoyed his trips to Lake of the Ozarks and Cancun with his immediate and extended family. His time spent on the boats, in the pools and at the beaches were some of his favorite memories. In more recent years Dave assumed the full time role of 'Papa Dave' to his seven grandsons and traveling to the births, birthdays, and holidays filled most of his free time. \r\n\r\nMost of Dave's professional life was spent as an Account Executive in the insurance industry where he developed many friendships that continued as he transitioned out of the industry. In later years, Dave became a team semi driver with his wife, which he truly enjoyed as he got to travel extensively, meet new friends, and spend time with his wife. Dave will always be remembered as a jokester (some jokes were better than others) and willing to help anybody that needed it.\r\n\r\nDave was member of the First Christian Church of Mattoon and Bloomington, past president of the Kiwanis Club in Mattoon, and member of the Bloomington Club. He was also a member of the Alpha Kappa Lambda Fraternity.\r\n\r\nHe is survived by his wife Shelley (Decker) Hunt; daughter, Amanda (Mark) Solomon, of Cordova, TN; son, Wes (Kate) Hunt of Shirley, IL; and daughter, Lindsay (Scott) Priebe of Pewaukee, WI. 'Papa Dave' is also survived by his seven grandsons Hunt and Wesley Solomon; Joe and Evan Hunt; and Walker, Garrett, and Rowan Priebe. He is also survived by his sisters: Betty (Jim) Whetstone, Monticello, IL; Marty (Mike) Francis, Midlothian, VA; and Judy (Bud) Dunham, Terre Haute, IN; and one brother-in-law, Jim (Brenda) Dunn of Stillwell, KS. Dave was preceded in death by his parents and one sister Barbara Dunn.\r\n\r\n The family would like to thank the staff of Genesis and OSF Hospice for their care and assistance in Dave's last months. In lieu of flowers please feel free to make a donation to the charity of your choice or to the American Cancer Society- Pancreatic Cancer Research.\r\nPlease visit www.mitchell-jerdan.com to light a virtual candle in his honor or share a memory with his family.\r\n

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David Ellison Hunt

August 12, 1952 - August 21, 2010