David "Dave" Michael Marchand

Our dad, David “Dave” Michael Marchand, joined the love of his life in heaven on Monday, February 9th, 2026. He was born January 2, 1954 to Richard and Alice “Gerry” Marchand. Dad was a devoted husband to his wife, Roxanna, and the best father anyone could ask for to his four children: David, Jason (Carrie), Matthew (Sandra) and Michelle (John) Torres. He also proudly held the role of grandfather to his four grandchildren: Marley, Dean, Beckham and Bronson - a title he deeply cherished.

He was a man whose life was defined by love, dedication, and an unwavering commitment to his family. If there was ever any question about what mattered most to him, the answer was clear: family came first - always.

At the center of his world was our mom, Roxanna. Their love story began on a softball field, where he was coaching the opposing team and instantly noticed the woman who would become “his main squeeze.” What started as an immediate connection quickly became something undeniable. After only six months of dating, they were engaged, married on a snowy day in December and spent the next 41 years setting an example for what genuine happiness and partnership looks like. The love he had for our mom was deep, constant, and impossible to miss - it shaped who he was and how he loved all of us.

Upon graduating from Peoria High School in 1972, he spent the next 37 years working as a machinist at Caterpillar, a job that reflected his character - hardworking, dependable, and humble. He never shied away from work, and he taught us, by example, the value of showing up, working hard, and doing what you say you’re going to do.

After retiring in 2009, Dad often said he had finally found the best job he could have ever hoped for - taking care of his grandsons. From the time they were infants, he spent every weekday and then summer breaks with Dean, Beckham and Bronson. They were his “three amigos” and the bond they shared was something truly special. He was their biggest fan – making it to every baseball game in the summers, band concerts, and any of the other events the boys were participating in. From backyard campouts and fun summer days to always seeming to lose more games of Uno and Monopoly than anyone could count, he created memories that will live on forever. He shared his wisdom quietly, patiently, and with love, leaving a lasting mark on each of them.

Dad also knew how to enjoy life. One of his favorite traditions was going out to weekly dinners with family, always enjoying the atmosphere and people at one of his favorites – Ludy’s, Donnelly’s Pub or Double A’s, usually accompanied by a cold Miller Lite. He was athletic – playing “the hot corner” on the softball field well into his forties and developed a love for skiing after trying it for the very first time on their honeymoon. After retirement, he and our mom decided to take up golf together - an adventure they approached with enthusiasm, determination, and absolutely no natural ability. They were, by their own standards, terrible golfers, but that never stopped them. Like everything else they did together, they gave it their all and always had fun doing it.

Then there were his Chicago Cubs. Dad was a lifelong, unapologetic Cubs fan - proudly carrying a “Die Hard Cubs Fan Club” card in his wallet for decades, literally. After a lifetime of patience, heartbreak, loyalty and a few broken TV remotes, he finally got to see his beloved Cubbies win the World Series in 2016. It was a moment he enjoyed with a deep level of satisfaction that only a true Cubs fan - one who never gave up - could fully appreciate.

Dad was preceded in death by our mom, Roxanna, his parents Richard and Gerry, mother-in-law Anita Hinch, and his sister, Carol Schneider. He is survived by his four children, his grandchildren, his siblings Rebecca (Chuck) Gabbert, Mark (Stacey) Marchand, Joanne (Jeff) Lueders and Chris (Linda) Marchand as well as his Father-in-law Dean Hinch, Brother-in-law Michael (Stevie) Hinch, sister-in-law Rhonda (Dave) Damerell and several nieces and nephews.

To us, Dad was one of the most genuine, hardworking, and caring men we will ever know. He didn’t seek recognition, but he earned respect everywhere he went. His legacy lives on through the family he loved so fiercely, the values he instilled in us, and the countless ways he showed us what it means to be a good man.

We will miss him more than words can express, but we are forever grateful for the life he lived, the love he gave, and the example he set for all of us.

Cremation rites have been accorded. A celebration of David’s life will be Monday, February 16, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. at the Davison-Fulton Woolsey-Wilton Funeral Home in Peoria. A memorial visitation will start at 4:00 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Susan G. Komen Memorial Affiliate of Peoria or the Alzheimer's Association. Words of comfort can be shared with the family at www.woolsey-wilton.com.