David Giovagnoli

Urbana, IL – Dr. David Giovagnoli, former resident of Taylorville, IL and Hayward, WI, passed away peacefully at home on January 1, 2026.

He was born in Springfield, IL on June 26, 1941, the son of Hugo and Alberta (Jones) Giovagnoli. A 1959 graduate of Taylorville High School, David maintained close bonds with many of his classmates. He was a skilled basketball player, remembered for making a 69 ½ foot basket during one of his games, in which he also scored the game winning shot. He was inducted into the Taylorville High School Sports Hall of Fame in 2001 for being a member of the 58-59 basketball team which was the last team to advance to the IHSA “Sweet Sixteen.” After high school, he continued his education to become a dentist and settled in Taylorville. He opened his own practice, where he worked alongside some very special people.

An avid sports enthusiast, David was a die-hard fan of the Chicago Cubs, Chicago Bears, and Illinois basketball team. His sharp wit and sarcasm were always on display, especially when “giving the needle” to anyone who didn’t support his teams. He loved playing golf and was a longtime member of the Taylorville Country Club.

He had many horses throughout the years, which he enjoyed racing at Fairmont Park and was lucky enough to have one race at Keenland Park in Kentucky.

Also, while in Taylorville, he was active in improving the community with serving on the school board for 8 years and working with Keep Taylorville Beautiful, planting many trees around the area.

In 1993, he bought a small cabin on Lost Land Lake in Hayward, WI. This was his absolute favorite place to be. It is where he loved to fish, take pontoon rides, spend time with family and friends, sit around the campfire and feed the wildlife, especially the deer. He made lifelong friendships there.

He is survived by his two daughters, Lindsay Hedden and her husband Nathan of West Lafayette, IN and Lauren Giovagnoli and her partner Mark Swanson of Hayward, WI; one granddaughter, Olivia Hedden; his “older” sister Jane Hopper and partner George Schelter and his younger sister Missy Giovagnoli; his nephews, David Hopper and his wife Amy and their children Emily and Lizzie and Austin Hopper and his wife Michelle and their children Margaret and Thomas, as well as other family and friends. He was preceded in death by his beloved four-legged companions, Dalbey, Tillie, Maggie and Motley and many family and friends.

There will be no public services. To remember him, the family requests that you plant a tree, have a drink with a good buddy, give your animals extra attention or cheer on your favorite sports team. In doing so, you’ll celebrate the passion, humor and dedication that defined David’s life.

There will not be any services held at this time.

Please join David’s family in sharing memories, photos and videos on his tribute wall at www.sunsetfuneralhome.com.

Cremation arrangements have been made at Sunset Funeral Home and Cremation Center’s Champaign Chapel 710 N. Neil St. Champaign, IL. 61820.