Daryl R. Huffstutler

Daryl R. Huffstutler of Newman, IL., formerly of Mahomet, passed away peacefully at home on Monday, September 18th, 2023, at 2:00 p.m. surrounded by his wife and children.  

Daryl was born on August 12th, 1950, to Gwendolyn and Stanley Huffstutler and grew up with his brother Dwight, in rural Mansfield on his family's farm.   He married the love of his life, Mary Christine Brocksmith on June 18th, 1977.

Daryl served in the U.S. Navy in the early 1970's and worked at F.S. for 14 years following his service.  He was the foreman for the South Farms at the University of Illinois for 30 years until he retired in 2009.  He was an expert landscaper and perfectionist in all that he did. After retirement he worked on the family farm.  He started the Newman Tractor Pulls in 2016 and enjoyed bringing the pulls to the Newman Freedom Festival every summer.  He was honored at the pulls this past June and the track was named, “Daryl's Track of Dreams”.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his father-in-law Carl Brocksmith, mother-in-law Ellie Brocksmith, Baby Huffstutler, and his best friend Brian Cox.

Daryl is survived by his wife Chris Huffstutler and his brother Dwight Huffstutler, his 3 children, 8 grandchildren, and 3 great-grandchildren.

Daryl was an amazing grandfather/Papa to Mollie (Eli Mercado) Rogers, Alli (Logan) Park, Tanner Layne, Mindy (Andrew Bailey) Rogers, Meagan (Logan) James, Abbi (Clayton Knierim) Skinner, Sammi (Skyler Dorsett) Skinner and Dylan Skinner.  He was an awesome great-grandfather to Lainey and Tinsley Park, and Marcus Dorsett.  He greatly enjoyed spending time with them.

He will be greatly missed by his children, Shannon (Jeff) Rogers of Fisher, Randall Huffstutler of Newman, and Heather (Sam) Skinner of Newman.

The family sends heartfelt thanks to Cassie Elliott who took great care of Daryl at the end of his illness.  They would also like to thank Joe Bush for all of his help and support with all of the projects around the house and for taking over the Newman Freedom Festival Tractor Pulls when Daryl was not able to continue managing them.  

Services will be held at the Joines Funeral Home of Newman.  The visitation will be on Friday, September 22nd, 4:00-7:00 p.m. and the funeral on Saturday, September 23rd at 11:00 a.m.  Steve Allen will officiate.  Burial will follow at the Fairfield Cemetery with the Illinois Honor Guard providing Military rights.  There will be a celebration of life at the American Legion in Newman following the service on Saturday.

Memorial donations may be made to the Newman American Legion or Newman Freedom Festival Tractor Pulls in care of Joe Bush.

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