By james art Gilbert Dwayne Sisney, 84, “down in Hidalgo” (as Dwayne would say), died October 23, 2024, at 3:45 a.m. at Cumberland Health and Rehabilitation Center, Greenup, IL, after an extended illness. He was a beloved husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather.
Funeral services will be 11:00 a.m. Monday, October 28, 2024, at Hidalgo Baptist Church, in Hidalgo. Visitation will be from 9:00 AM until the time of service at the church. Burial will be in Athos Cemetery following the service. Barkley Funeral Chapel in Greenup is assisting the family.
Duane was born on October 31, 1939, on the Henderson family farm southeast of Greenup to Gilbert Wayne and Minerva Ellen (Henderson) Sisney. He was the eldest of nine children. His siblings are John, Jim, Jerry, Mary Jane, Janice, Virgil, Vernon and Charles.
Duane was a 1957 graduate of Newton Community High School. The Statler Brothers song “Class of ’57” was a favorite. He enjoyed listening to classic country music, especially Gene Watson. He also enjoyed listening to various gospel quartets and enjoyed singing along.
Duane and Karen Sue (Athan) Sisney were married on May 17, 1958 and were blessed to celebrate their 66th wedding anniversary last summer. They had seven children, Donna Sue (deceased), Michael Duane, Mark Allen (Mary), Martin Lee, Marla Kay (Phil) Reynolds, Maria Ann (Jim) Green and Mary Ellen (Roland) Chapman. Dwayne liked to say that they all had “M” names, Mike, Mark, Martin, Marla, Maria, Mary, Mom and Me! They have twelve grandchildren, Bridget (Bob) Remlinger, Kendall (Trista) Sisney, Kendra (Ryan) Konnert, Taylee (Savannah) Ruiz-Nolan, Ryan (Rachel) Reynolds, Alison (Will) Lowery, Nicole Green, Michaela Green, Morgan (Dalton) Kuntz, Madalyn (Stephen) Pogue, Joshua (Caitlin) Chapman and Melissa Chapman. Also twelve great-grandchildren, Connor and Camryn Remlinger, Holden, Thatcher, Berkley and Collier Sisney, Flynn and Jensen Ruiz-Nolan, Bryce and Brielle Reynolds, Opal and Dexter Chapman and a great-grandson, a boy, Lowry, due in March 2025 .
Duane was a hard worker and grew up working on the family farm southeast of Hidalgo. As a young man, He was employed at Hidalgo Elevator, where he worked with his brother-in-law, Steve Aten, and came up with many comical stories to tell! He later worked at the Greenup Shoe Factory and Greenup Appliance before going to RR Donnelly & Sons, in Mattoon, where he retired in June 1995, at the age of 55, after 27 1/2 years of service. He was the number 3 employee employed there as they assigned the numbers alphabetically. He holds patent #5,282,613 with RR Donnelly & Sons Company and James F. Standerfer for a Bindery Feeder. Dwayne and Karen started their family during his time at Donnelly’s and he had many great memories of his time there. After retirement, Duane worked part-time for Crooked Creek Township hauling gravel and helping with local road maintenance.
Duane loved spending time outdoors, whether it was hunting, camping, or mowing with his Dixon mowers! He enjoyed tinkering in his garage, including repairing lawnmowers and small engines. He helped many neighbors by sharpening knife blades, repairing appliances, vehicles, etc. Dwayne had the gift of a mechanical mind. If he couldn’t find a part available, he could manufacture the part he needed. One of his favorite projects was restoring his Ferguson tractor, which was literally in pieces, dumped in boxes when he bought it! He was able to ride it in several parades after it was in working order!
Duane was involved in the community of his hometown of Hidalgo, serving on the city council for many years and serving as mayor. He was a founding member of the Hidalgo Volunteer Fire Department and served as fire chief from 2001-2005. It is now known as the Crooked Creek Fire Protection District and he was an active member until 2022. He was on the Hidalgo School Board, a Boy Scout leader and member of the Jasper County Antique Tractor Club. He was a committed neighbor, often staying with elderly friends and helping them when they needed it. Duane was a Christian. He was an active member and deacon at Hidalgo Baptist Church throughout his life. He enjoyed singing and was a member of two gospel quartets.
Duane is survived by his wife Karen (Athan), sons Mike, Mark (Mary), Martin, all of Hidalgo, Marla (Phil) Reynolds of Newton, Maria (Jim) Green of Wheeler and Mary (Roland ) Chapman, of Greenup . 12 grandchildren, 12 great grandchildren with another due in March 2025. Brothers, John (Anita), Jim, Jerry (Ped), Virgil, Charles, sister, Janice Watkins and sisters-in-law, Kathy and Diane (Bob) Ramsey , as well as step-daughters-in-law, Dorothy Smith and Kay Reisner.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Gilbert and Minerva, step-mother, Ruby, father-in-law and mother-in-law, Webster and Opal Aten, daughter, Donna Sue, brother, Vernon and sister, Mary Jane Lewis, brother-in-law, Jack Watkins, Bill Lewis and Stephen Aten, sisters-in-law, Cindy and Shirley and Linda (Pete) James, and step-brother, Kenny Reisner.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Cumberland Rehabilitation & Health Care Center Resident Activity Fund. Online condolences may be expressed at www.barkleyfuneralchapels.com.
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Gilbert Dwayne Sisney, please visit our flower shop.