Dennis N. Corley

Dennis N. Corley

(July 29, 1940 – August 2, 2023)

Dennis Neil Corley , 83, of Decatur, formerly of Shelbyville, IL, passed away at 5:45 a.m. Wednesday, August 2, 2023 in The Loft, Decatur, IL.

Visitation will be from 9:00-11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, August 16, 2023 in Shelby Christian Church, Shelbyville, IL.  A memorial service will follow the visitation at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday in the church with Pastor Tim Bycroft and Pastor David Parker officiating. A luncheon will be held at Shelby Christian Church, Shelbyville, immediately following the memorial service. After the luncheon, at 2:00 p.m., there will be a procession to Price Cemetery in rural Herrick, IL. Memorials may be given to Lincoln Christian University, Lincoln, IL or to the family for final expenses.  Arrangements are by Howe and Yockey Funeral Home, Shelbyville, IL.

Dennis was born on July 29, 1940 in Pana, IL, the son of L.G. “Buster” and Ima (Pope) Corley of Herrick, IL.  He graduated from Herrick High School as Valedictorian of his class in 1958.  He committed his life to the Lord in Christian Ministry in 1954.  He graduated from Lincoln Bible Institute (now Lincoln Christian University) in 1962 and graduated from Lincoln Christian Seminary in 1974 with a Master of Divinity Degree.

He married Edna Mae England on July 29, 1960.  Dennis and Edna had four daughters: Twyla Jo (deceased October 2, 1962); Tamora Dee (Daniel) Veselsky of Noblesville, IN, Tarita Gail (Butch) Fry of Shelbyville, IL and Traci LeAnn (Richard) Niccolls of McKinney, TX.  They have six grandchildren, Austin (Kelsey) Cripe of St. Charles, MO, Brook (David) Hughes of Noblesville, IN, Leah Niccolls of Cleburne, TX, Lauren (Mason) Moughon of Grand Prairie, TX, Mason (Abby) Veselsky of Anderson, IN, , and Joshua (Grace) Niccolls of Grand Prairie, TX.  They were also blessed with three great grandchildren, Everett Hughes, Colter Cripe, and Hudson Hughes. He is also survived by one sister, Genelle Horn of Moweaqua, IL.

He began his ministry in 1959 at Sanders Hill Christian Church near Ramsey, IL (his wife’s home church).  After college graduation, they ministered in Mason, IL from 1960-1965.  Two of their daughters were born during this ministry.  During their ministry the church built on a Christian Education facility.  In 1965, he was called to be the Senior Minister of Armington Christian Church, Armington, IL, serving until 1974.  Two daughters were born during their ministry and a new Christian Education building was built.

The next 36 years of their ministry were dedicated to church planting.  They established Payson Road Christian Church (now The Crossing) in Quincy, IL.  The church went through two building programs.  The first was their church home and the second doubled the size of their facilities.  The second building program was paid for by a single day offering of $104,000.  This church now has attendance of over 8,000.  While in Quincy, Dennis was the Executive Director of the “By the Way” Christian Television Program for 16 years.

They were called by the Chicago District Evangelistic Association, (now called Ignite Church Planting) to begin a new church in the northern suburbs of Chicago.  Telemarketing was used to call 20,000 homes within five miles of the location in Winthrop Harbor, IL.  On opening day of Northpoint Community Christian Church (now called The Point) the attendance was 396. During the following 22 years, the church built the first phase of a new church home planned in a four-phase building.  They expanded and grew to around 600 with a staff of eight ministers. Some of Dennis’ other accomplishments while leading the church in Winthrop Harbor were:

• A food pantry that feeds 350 families a month
• HarvestFest, an Annual Gospel singing in the park, hosting six contemporary bands for many years, having up to 4,000 people
• Served as Police and Fire Department Chaplain
• Hosted 9/11 Memorial Services annually
• Served on the Chicago District Evangelistic Association Executive Board
• He was awarded “The Restoration Award” by Lincoln Christian University
• His wife started a “Mom’s Ministry” for the community
• Established “Compass Christian Counseling Ministry”
• Helped with the launching of six new congregations in the Illinois area
• Helped lead 32 people into the Christian ministry and mentored many others

Dennis and Edna lovingly served together in God’s ministry for over 64 years and in marriage for 62 years.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Edna on February 14, 2023; daughter, Twyla Corley; and sister, Carlene Corley.