Darel Hofsess Obituary

Darel Emiel Hofsess, 84, of Tremont, died peacefully July 15, 2024 at Apostolic Christian Restmor.

He was born October 3, 1939 in Jacksonville, Illinois, to James Lyle Hofsess and Alice W. Sullivan Hofsess. He married Mary Alyce Witzig on February 26, 1978 in Gridley, Illinois.

He is survived by his wife, children Kurt (Amy) Hofsess of Leburn, Kentucky; Julie (Jacob) Ista of Pekin; Alisa (Michael) Wartick of Chicago; grandchildren Kolton, Kason, Kyle, and Kammi Hofsess; Kaleb Ista; and Lilian and Daisy Wartick; and one great-grandson, Hudson Hofsess.

He was preceded in death by his parents and two infant brothers.

Darel spent much of his youth along the Illinois River bottoms where he taught himself to swimas a last resort when a barge threatened to overcome the log he had commandeered as a raft.

An only child, Darel rescued many animals he kept as pets, a habit that continued through his adult life. His dad worked for Norris Farms while his mom taught at the one room Marbletown schoolhouse Darel attended and from which he occasionally absconded. He graduated from Lewistown High School in 1958.

Darel joined the Army Transportation Corps in 1960 and was stationed in Germany at the Kaiserslautern Military Base where he was a member of the Service Pistol Team. He dreamed of being a pilot and after leaving the service took private flying lessons. He had an encyclopedic knowledge of airplanes.

On May 25, 1967, Darel became a father to Kurt Alan. He taught Kurt to throw a baseball, ride a motorcycle, water ski, and steer a car from the passenger seat. He had two more children, Julie Marie and Alisa Louise. He loved inventing stories to tell them, introducing them to old movies and music, and letting them stay up late watching shows their mom didn't approve of while she worked late.

Darel met Mary Alyce while she was covered in dirt at the bottom of a pit on an archeological dig in 1975. He said it was love at first sight. They were married for 46 years, sharing a love of archeology, history, nature, bluegrass music, and trivia.

Darel was a voracious reader, talented carpenter, and captivating storyteller. He could fix anything mechanical and find the most scenic, if not fastest, route to any destination.

He was a member of the Tremont Apostolic Christian Church, where his memorial service will be at 1:00 pm Sunday, July 21, 2024. Ministers of the church will officiate. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 pm Saturday at Davis-Oswald Funeral Home in Tremont and from 12:15 to 1:00 pm Sunday at the church. . Cremation has been accorded. A private burial will be held at Camp Butler National Cemetery in Springfield.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to Apostolic Christian Restmor or a charity of the donor's choice.