David L. Chestnut

David L. Chestnut of Champaign was called to heaven on April 12, 2024 after a battle with brain cancer. He was born October 6, 1957 in Springfield, Illinois, the second child of William G. and Florence Chestnut. She survives.

He is also survived by his wife, Cynthia, of Champaign and brothers William F. (Kim) Chestnut of Pleasant Plains, Mike Chestnut (Donna Davlantis) of Springfield, Tim (Marina) Chestnut of Rochester, and James (Elaine) Chestnut of Riverton. Also surviving are his sisters Nancy Phillips of Pawnee and Patricia (Kevin) Patrick of Jacksonville, Florida.

David leaves behind daughters Leah (Scott) Herold of Elgin, Illinois and Lindsay Chestnut (Sean Monroe) of Baltimore, Maryland; stepdaughters Tara (Jacob) Kuebler of Savoy, Jordan Harris of Cedar Rapids, Iowa and Cori (Michael) Walker of Coralville, Iowa along with six grandchildren.

He worked for thirty years as a commercial lender in Sangamon and Champaign Counties before starting a career with the Rural Development Agency of the US Department of Agriculture in 2009. He retired from his position as a Supervisory Loan and Grant Analyst in Washington, DC on December 31, 2021, and relocated back to Champaign with his wife, Cindy.

David had many volunteer interests over the years, including Courtsiders to support U of I Womens Basketball, Kiwanis International, The Pirates of the Prairibbean (the local Parrot Head group), and he was a 13-gallon blood donor. He volunteered for multiple Mahomet-Seymour sports and band events while his daughters were in high school. David was proud to achieve his 30-year participation recognition at the National Bowling Championships in 2023 and went on twenty-nine annual golf trips to Biloxi, Mississippi with his friends.

David will be remembered for his generosity and kindness to all. He thrived in social situations and believed in living life to the fullest. Some of his favorite moments were listening to live music with a drink in his hand, surrounded by the people he loved most.

In true Dave fashion, a celebration of life is being planned for a future date. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Cape Coral Animal Shelter, 325 SW 2nd Avenue, Cape Coral, FL 33991.