Daniel Dean Follis

Dr. Daniel Dean Follis February 3, 1942 — November 9, 2025

Dr. Daniel Dean Follis, devoted husband, pastor, and mentor to many, passed away on Sunday, November 9th, at Hillsboro Hospital in Hillsboro IL, surrounded by family. He was 83 years old.

Dean was born on February 3, 1942, in Valparaiso, Indiana, the son of Dan and Donna Follis and the oldest brother to Diane and Denny. He attended Olivet Nazarene University, worked to start YMCAs, and then was drafted and served in the army as a chaplain. He was placed at Fort Dix near Cherry Hills, NJ, where he met and married the love of his life, Anne Lorraine (Bowen) Follis, August 24, 1968. The two built a life-long partnership in ministry together.

Dr. Follis served as pastor for several United Methodist congregations over the years. He also received his Doctorate of Ministry from the University of Illinois. He traveled and supported Anne during her book tours and the ERA movement. Dean was most known for his leadership and conviction to preach the Gospel without compromise. He left the Methodist Church and started Christ Alive Community Church in Kickapoo, Illinois. After 40 years of ministry, he retired from active pastoring; but never from encouraging people to follow Jesus.

Dean loved horses, reading theology and church history, trying to hit a golf ball, and having coffee and lunch with friends. His breakfast was lunch, his lunch was dinner, and his dinner was usually 11pm watching a western or writing a sermon (or both).

He is survived by his children, Troy (and Abby) Follis and Ryan (and Tara) Follis and his 9 grandchildren. He was also known as Grandpa the Great to his bonus family. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Megan, son-in-law, Paul, and his wife, Anne.

Services will be held at the First Baptist Church of Nokomis, Saturday, November 15th: Visitation 10-12pm, Memorial Service, 12pm, and a Celebration Meal to follow. The Funeral will be live streamed through First Baptist’s YouTube (link also on the church’s Facebook page).

Memorial gifts may be made to the First Baptist Church of Nokomis and will be distributed to the ministries Dean cherished most.

And as he ends his time on earth, he begins anew in Heaven, “Well done, good and faithful servant.”

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