Dennis “Denny” A. Roberts, 81 of Hillsboro, died Friday, August 7, 2026, at St. John’s Hospital in Springfield.
Graveside services will be held at Cedar Ridge Cemetery in Honey Bend on Saturday, August 29, at 10:30 a.m. Immediately after, a lunch will be served at the Moose Lodge 1634 in Litchfield.
Mr. Roberts was born May 2, 1945, in St. Louis, MO, a son of Ira “Red” Franklin Roberts and Priscilla Rose Menossi Roberts.
He graduated from Litchfield High School with the class of 1963. He married Roberta Furlow on April 18, 1964, in Morrisonville.
Mr. Roberts was drafted into the US Army in 1966 and served until 1968, when he was wounded in Vietnam. He received the Purple Heart and Bronze Star with Valor. He worked for 31 years in the coal mines at Crown I, in Coffeen; Crown II and Crown III, both in Macoupin County. He retired May 2, 2000. He cherished the friendships with his fellow miners and attended the annual reunion picnics in Farmersville.
He was a member of the Philips Chapter ATA 33, a lifetime member of VFW 3912, a lifetime member of the DAV, a member of the Litchfield Moose Lodge 1634 and the United Mine Workers. He was a member of Pleasant Hill Christian Church.
He enjoyed the outdoors, riding his Harley, pontooning, gardening and lake life.
Nothing meant more to Mr. Roberts than his family. He loved being with his family. When he retired, he was asked, “Big D, what are you going to do?” His reply was “anything my grandkids want me to do!” He never knew a stranger. Anyone who needed a favor knew they could ask him and he would be right there. He was a big presence every time he walked into a room.
Mr. Roberts is survived by his daughters, Denise (Jerry) Young of Sun City Center, FL, and Angie Tefteller of Litchfield; grandchildren, Devin (Kara) Tefteller, Taylor (Ryan) Howard, Dalton Tefteller, Gavyn Roberts and Michael Young; four great-grandchildren, Brynlee, Everly, and Tesley Tefteller with baby boy Howard on the way; brothers, Steven (Connie) Roberts and Richard F. Roberts; sister, Becky Prange; brother-in-law, Ken Degg; several nieces and nephews; and an abundance of cousins.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Roberta; daughter, Deanna; his father, “Red” Roberts; mother, Rose Prange; stepfather, Ralph Prange; sister, Lisa Degg; and sister-in-law, Kitty Roberts.
Memorials may be made to Beverly Farms, 6301 Humbert Rd., Godfrey, IL, where his grandson Dalton resides or the Litchfield Moose Lodge 1634.
Please visit www.litchfieldffs.com to leave condolences or light a candle in his memory. Litchfield Family Funeral Service in Litchfield is in charge of arrangements.
