Dennis Lee Rexroad, 76 of Taylorville, passed away at 6:10am on Saturday, November 25, 2023, at Taylorville Memorial Hospital. He was born on December 13, 1946, in Springfield, the son of Charles Albert Rexroad Jr. and Etta Louise “Betty” (Webster) Rexroad. He married Linda Wheat on July 20, 1988, in Pekin, Illinois. He graduated from Taylorville High School in 1965 and attended Southern Illinois University in Carbondale. Dennis served in the United States Marine Corps during the Vietnam War. He received the Bronze Stary Medal for heroism. While serving as a fire team leader with the 3rd Marine Division, he fearlessly ran across the fire-swept terrain and began throwing hand grenades at the enemy position. He returned through the hazardous area on four separate occasions, crawling within five feet of a North Vietnamese position. Following his time in the service, Dennis began working at the Kincaid Generating Station as an electrician, retiring in 2015 after 46 years of employment. Dennis had a love of traveling and together with Linda they visited many destinations including Australia, New Zealand, and Fiji, as well as Hawaii regularly for 20 years. Linda and Dennis enjoyed riding motorcycles and together they toured almost every state on their bikes. He enjoyed target shooting and was a member of the Taylorville Rifle and Pistol Club. Dennis obtained his pilot’s license and took part in Taekwondo, archery competitions, and many triathlons as well as the Senior Olympics. He was also a member of the Taylorville VFW.
He is survived by his wife: Linda Rexroad of Taylorville; siblings: Linda Schrodt of Springfield, Gary Rexroad (Sandy) of Taylorville, Doug Rexroad of Texas, and Lt. Col. Bruce (Angela) Rexroad, USMC (Ret) of Huntsville, Alabama; uncles: James Webster (Rita) and Lt. Col. Don Rexroad, USMC (Ret); step siblings and several nieces, nephews, and cousins; and “adopted” family: Liz (Jon) Oyer and Luke (Lauren) Christopher and their families. He was preceded in death by his parents and stepmother: Mary Lou Angarola-Rexroad.
Dennis will be cremated, and a memorial service will take place at 10:30am on Saturday, December 2, 2023, at McClure Funeral Home in Taylorville with Pastor Brennan Hurley officiating. A visitation will be held from 9:30am until the time of the service and inurnment, with military honors, will be in the Walnut Hill Cemetery in Sharpsburg. Memorials may be left to the Taylorville United Methodist Church, Taylorville Rifle and Pistol Club, the Springfield Animal Protective League, or the Taylorville VFW Post #4495. McClure Funeral Home and Cremation Services in Taylorville is assisting the family with arrangements. Memories of Dennis, or condolences to his family, may be shared online at www.mcclurefuneralhome.com.
