Danny “Rex” Carnes, 63, of Abingdon, Illinois, passed away unexpectedly at 8:00 p.m. Friday, September 25, 2026, at OSF St. Mary Medical Center.
Danny was born July 29, 1963, in Avon, Illinois, the son of Lloyd and Doris (Lefler) Carnes. He attended Avon schools and, at the young age of 15, began working for McGrew Feed Lot in Avon in 1978. What began as a teenage job became a 48-year career that Danny truly loved. He continued working right up until the day he passed.
On July 2, 1983, Danny married the love of his life, Tonda Frey, in Abingdon. After 43 years of marriage, she survives. Together, Danny and Tonda built a life filled with family, friendship, adventure, laughter, and countless memories.
Also surviving are his children, Katie (Nate) Lafollette of Galesburg; twin sons, Jacob Carnes of Knoxville and James (Nicci) Carnes of Little Swan Lake; his siblings, Glen (Sharon) Carnes of Galesburg, Joe (the late Susan) Carnes of Peoria, Carolyn (the late John) Freburg of Abingdon, Diane (Bob) Hobbs and Joan (Roger) Wherley, both of Oklahoma, Cindy Chase and Janet (Curt) McCommons, both of Abingdon; brothers-in-law Kenneth (Ellen) Frey of Clearwater, Florida, and Keith Chase of Florida; and his two grandchildren, Brailey N. Lafollette and Cooper J. Carnes, who were truly his pride and joy.
He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother and sister-in-law, Everett (Beckie) Carnes.
Danny spent 48 years working for McGrew Feed Lot, where he described his job as being a “service technician” who worked on anything that fed or watered livestock. Danny was a natural mechanic and a true jack-of-all-trades. There wasn’t much he couldn’t fix, and if something was broken, Danny was the person you called. He had a knack for figuring things out and, more importantly, he was always willing to lend a hand. He took great pride in his work, and the people he worked alongside were much more than co-workers—they were family.
Danny’s willingness to help others extended far beyond his job. Whether someone needed a repair, advice, a helping hand, or simply someone to figure out how to make something work, Danny was there. His family knew they could always count on him. Katie especially could count on her dad to help with the Scenic Drive and all of her craft projects. He never hesitated to jump in and help, and he was happiest when he could be useful to someone he loved.
Above all else, Danny was a family man.
He cherished his time with Tonda, and after 43 years together, he was still happiest with her by his side. The two shared a love of motorcycles and believed the road was never quite long enough when they were together. They enjoyed riding with friends and made unforgettable trips to Sturgis and Yellowstone with Pert and Trina and later with Kenny and Ellen. For Danny and Tonda, it was never simply about the destination—it was about the miles, the laughter, the people they were with, and the memories they made along the way.
Danny also loved spending time outdoors. His four-wheeler was a favorite, especially when he could give his grandchildren rides. His grandchildren brought an especially bright light to his life, and Brailey and Cooper knew just how special they were to their papa.
Danny looked forward to his yearly trips to Florida to Big Ken and Ellens “mansion”, where he could enjoy fishing, boating, jet skiing, and relaxing with family and friends. There was usually good food, plenty of laughter, and perhaps a few adult beverages involved. He and Tonda also loved camping, and Danny was well known for building what could only be described as the biggest campfire around. If there was a fire to be built, Danny was going to make sure it was one worth sitting around.
Danny and his boys shared a love of toy tractors and tractor pulls, creating memories that will be treasured for generations. Whether he was working on a project, fixing something that needed fixing, riding his motorcycle, spending time outdoors, or simply sitting around with the people he loved. He was always up for an adventure with, Nicci, meeting for coffee, working on home improvement projects or simply taking a boat ride. Danny found his greatest happiness in being with his family.
He was the kind of man who showed his love by doing. He fixed things. He helped people. He showed up. He worked hard. He made memories. And he was always there for the people who mattered most to him.
Danny leaves behind a lifetime of memories, stories, laughter, hard work, and love. His family and friends will remember him for his generous heart, his willingness to help, his mechanical talents, his love of adventure, and most of all, the way he loved his family. His absence will leave an enormous hole in the lives of all who knew and loved him, but the memories he created will continue to be shared for years to come.
Visitation will be held from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. Thursday, October 1, 2026, at Hinchliff-Pearson-West Funeral Directors and Cremation Services, Abingdon Chapel. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday, October 2, 2026, at the chapel, with his nephew, Rev. Ethan Carnes, officiating. Burial will follow at Abingdon Cemetery. Memorials may be made to Danny’s family to establish a memorial fund at a later date in his name. Online condolences may be offered at www.h-p-w.com.
