Dave Dew, Jr

Dave “Big Duke” Dew, 86, was called home to rest on February 22, 2019 peacefully surrounded by family in Palatine, IL.  Dave was known to sing and spent his last hours humming in peace. 

Dave was born to the late Dave and Minnette Catherine Hopson Dew, in Jackson, MS on June 1, 1932. He was educated in Jackson, MS.  Dave enlisted in the Army and was a Marksman and Veteran of the Korean War where he received a Purple Heart.  After his dedicated service, Duke moved to Evanston, Illinois in 1956 and married Anna Banks on July 30, 1968.  Dave and Anna devoted their lives to their children Gail, Steven and Billie Jean.  Dave and Anna spent 32 loving years together until Anna was called home to rest.  Dave gave his life to the Lord as a young child and was a committed member of the Christ Temple Missionary Baptist Church in Evanston, Illinois.

Dave enjoyed many years of employment with the Z Frank, Schoen, Gutterman, Hirsch, Strauss, and Able families.  Dave cared for their families as if they were his own and his love and sincerity are with them to this day.

Poppa Dew loved cooking, playing the horses, lottery, scratch offs, going to boat and playing bid whist.  Dave was one of the kindest souls you’ll ever meet unless you were a bad partner at bid whist.  Dave also enjoyed a taste of Johnny Walker Black Label and a good cigar.  Dave was a wise man, he was quick to listen and slow to speak.  His ease and compassion calmed everyone around. Dave had many signature stories and shared so much wisdom with his family.

Daddy Dew is survived by his children, Gail Dew, Steven Jerome Dew (Deaphine) and Billie Jean Spillman (Chris), David Dew and Mary Lou Dew; his grandchildren, Maurice Tyler, Johnathan Dew, Octavia Treadway (Kenneth), Dave Dew, Femi Torres (Raul), Korrine Bryant, Jerome Brand-Spillman, Minnette Luckey (Dominique), Ashleigh Card, Amber Dew, Anthony Dew and Marcus Dew; his great-grandchildren Micah Dew-Treadway, Ebony Tyler, Christian Dew, Kamar Taylor, Caleb Treadway, Brayden Treadway, Calvin Edwards and Caenen Brown, Ava Dew, Noah Dew, Marcus Dew and Mia Dew; goddaughters, Gina Bradley and Monica Dyer; godson, Tony Green; and his candy babies.Stephanie Aiden and Nicole Cherry.

In addition to his wife and parents, he was preceded in death by his sister, Hattie Dew Tillman, his son Robert Dew and grandson Lavell Tyler.

As a final note, Daddy Dew was a lover of music and was known to sing “The Gambler” by Kenny Rogers to his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. “You got to know when to hold ‘em, know when to fold ‘em, know when to walk away, and know when to run.  You never count your money when you’re sitting at the table.  There’ll be time enough for countin’ when the dealing’s done.”

Daddy sang his final song and played his last hand with honor and dignity.  He will be truly missed and forever loved.

Arrangements entrusted to Thompson Funeral & Cremation Service, Inc. Mr. Philip L. Gillette ~ Funeral Director .

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