Darrel R. Mathis

Darrel R. Mathis, age 69, of Springfield, Illinois passed away on Sunday, December 5, 2021, at 10:22 p.m. The son of Delbert and Mavis (Brown) Mathis, Darrel was born October 21, 1952, in Mitchell, South Dakota and grew up on their farm.

He graduated from Mitchell High School in Mitchell S.D. in 1971. He attended the University of South Dakota in Vermillion S.D.,Greenville College in Greenville, Illinois, and received his RN from LLCC in Springfield, IL.

Darrel married his first wife, Sherrizan Hunter of Greenville, Illinois on August 18, 1974. They raised four children in a log home outside of New Berlin, Illinois and attended Cherry Hills Baptist Church in Springfield. He loved riding horses, working on carpentry, and breeding and raising Alaskan malamutes with his family. He was very proud of his four children.

Throughout his life, Darrel loved helping people and especially serving in missions. He traveled to build homes and churches in the Philippines, Japan, Costa Rica, Mexico, Guatemala, and did ministry on several Native American Reservations. Darrel lived a life of adventure, was a member of the Springfield Underwater Search and Rescue Team (SUSART), and even pursued flying. He ran a successful parking lot sweeping business that operated in several counties. His favorite career was serving as a paramedic in Central Illinois and later helped develop the paramedic program in Jacksonville. He was a Park District Police Officer in Decatur and was a proud member of the NRA. He worked several years as an RN in Cardiac Surgery at St. John's Hospital in Springfield. He pursued a career as a contractor, home builder, and real estate investor. He later moved on to learn the HVAC trade and owned Comfort Control Heating & Cooling. Darrel was truly an entrepreneur throughout his life.

In recent years, his heart of service continued as the Security Director at Destiny Church in Springfield where he developed close bonds with his team. He was a conceal and carry instructor for the State of Illinois and was an expert in advanced tactical training. Darrel loved to travel, and his final trip to South Dakota in July of this year blessed him greatly. He visited his home town of Mitchell, attended his 50th high school reunion, and reunited with family that resides still in South Dakota.

One of the highlights of Darrel’s life was traveling to Israel to marry his beloved wife Valerie Kessler in Cana, the place Jesus performed his first miracle at a wedding. They attend Destiny Church in Springfield where they are charter members. He is survived by his wife Valerie and her 7 children, who love him: Matthew (Kelli) Kessler, Jonathan Kessler, Michael (Tara) Kessler, David Kessler, Rachel Kessler, Daniel Kessler, Sarah (John) Scheller, and 12 grandchildren.

He is survived by his first wife, Sherrizan, and their four children: Chad (Rebekah) Mathis, Chelsea (Paul) Linscott, Shane (Rene Thayer) Mathis, Holly Mathis, and 8 grandchildren. He also leaves his brother Ted (Phyllis) Mathis and their two children, an Aunt Elaine Mathis, and many cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents Delbert and Mavis (Brown) Mathis along with his stepmom Florine Mathis, and his beloved dog, Ruger.

Destiny Church will host a Celebration of Life Friday, December 17, 2021, located at 2423 S. MacArthur Blvd, Springfield, IL 62704. Time for gathering will begin at 10:00 a.m. with a service to follow at 11:00 a.m.

For those that cannot attend the service, it will be streamed Live through Darrel Mathis’ memorialized Facebook page.

Memorials can be made to Destiny Church for their building program and/or Extreme Missions International - Guatemala.

Arrangements have been made by Bisch & Son Funeral Home, 505 E. Allen St, Springfield, IL 62703. To view the online obituary, send condolences, and share memories, please visit https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/springfield-il/darrel-mathis-10477731