Robert "Donnie" Duprey

Robert (Donnie) D. Duprey, Jr.

Our family and friends have lost a wonderful man.

Robert (Donnie) Donald Duprey, Jr. of Westville, IL left his life on August 21, 2020 at Carle Foundation Hospital in Urbana, Illinois to begin his eternal life with God.

Donnie, known by some as Big Bear, was born March 21, 1951 in Danville, Illinois to Robert D. Duprey, Sr. and Catherine W. Norgaar Duprey. He will be sadly missed by his wife of 25 years, Cindy, 3 children, Jeni(Chuck) Newell of Catlin, IL, Angi (Tom Harden) Clay of Oakwood, IL, and R. Justin (Holly) Duprey of Indianapolis, IN, 9 Grandchildren, Travis (Taylor) Gudgel of Catlin, IL, Tayler (Tyler) Foster of Temple, TX, Madison Heaton of Oakwood, IL, Hannah Heaton of Georgetown, IL, Katie (Andrew) Griffin of Catlin, IL, Johnny (Natalie) Jumps of Danville, IL, Kali Cast of Danville, IL, Vivian Rose Duprey and Evelyn Grace Duprey both of Indianapolis, IN, 10 Great Grandchildren, Alaina and Aleah Gudgel, Kyla, Mattyx, and Spencer Foster, Jasper and Nayomi Jumps, and Lydia, Jonah, and Dawson Griffin, Sister, Sharon Reed of Whitestown, IN, Brother-in-law and Sister-in law, Gregg and Kim Bolton of Danville, IL, and Brother-in-law Jim Dempsey of Daytona, FL, numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins, special friends, Walter and Gail Deck and Dave and Maria Peerman, and especially his ‘little girl’ (fur baby) Dixie D.

Donnie began working at a very young age detasseling corn and bailing hay. He worked in full-service gas stations then went to work for GE/Valmont and worked there for 23 years until the plant closing in 1993. He then came up with the idea that he wanted to be a business owner. So, he purchased and operated C&D’s Silver Dollar Lounge in Westville, IL for almost 25 years where his chili became the favorite during Westville’s Labor Day festivities. He and his wife also sold merchandise at Gordyville Flea Market, Holiday Flea Markets and Covered Bridge at Dallie’s Follies in Indiana, and Friendship Indiana Flea Market twice a year during the National Blackpowder Competition.

Although he worked hard, he loved life. Donnie enjoyed being surrounded by his family and friends. He enjoyed going to rummage sales and auctions, never leaving empty handed. He enjoyed shooting pool on the pool league. He and his wife went to Las Vegas to shoot pool in the National Pool League competition, once in Dutch Doubles and 3 times with their 8/9 ball teams. He then passed on the sport to his daughters and grandchildren by teaching them how to shoot. Donnie loved fishing, camping, mushroom hunting, riding his Harley, and tending his garden in the summer. He could never have enough fresh garden tomatoes. He often planted things for some of the elderly folks who could no longer put a garden in themselves. Most of all, he loved to laugh.

Donnie was a very generous man. He donated to many organizations that he kept to himself. He believed that the kids needed constructive things to do so a lot of his donations were for them, Westville Youth Sports, High School sports, Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, and the local school programs, St. Jude’s Hospital, Ronald McDonald House, Shriners Hospital, Make a Wish Foundation, and numerous Christmas food baskets. He always made sure to buy plenty of candy bars from any kid who was selling and then gave most of them away. He also loved buying Girl Scout cookies and Popcorn from the Boy Scouts. He loved to play Santa Clause.

Donnie was preceded in death by his parents, his mother-in-law, Rosie Dempsey, and some very dear friends, Bob Tovey, Vic Wimsett, and Mikey Cadle, JR. Also preceding him in death were his special fur babies, Baby (Rottweiler), Thunder (Rottweiler), Tank, Patches, Puffer, and Lightning (Rat Terriers).

A memorial service will be held at Bethel Lutheran Church, 901 W. Fairchild St. in Danville, IL on Friday, August 28, 2020 at 12:00 p.m. followed by graveside services at Oakhill Cemetery. Seating will be limited to 30 people at the church, but graveside service will be open to all. A memorial dinner will be held following graveside services at 616 E. Ross Lane, Danville, IL and all family and friends are welcome.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his name to any charity of your choice.

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