Dwayne Andreas

Mr. Dwayne O. Andreas, passed away on Wednesday morning, November 16, 2016, with family by his side at St. Mary’s Hospital in Decatur, IL. Since retiring, he divided his time between Decatur, IL and his home in Bal Harbour, FL, spending time with family and friends.Mr. Andreas was proceeded in death by his wife D. Inez Andreas on October 10, 2012.A Memorial Mass is scheduled for 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, November 29 at Holy Family Church in Decatur, IL. A Celebration of his life will be held at his home in Bal Harbour, Florida in January. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that you make a donation to the charity of your choice, keeping in mind that Mr. Andreas’ strongest commitment was feeding the hungry of the world. Condolences may be left to the family in care of Brintlinger and Earl Funeral Home, Decatur, IL at www.brintlingerandearl.com.Dwayne Orville Andreas was born in Worthington, Minnesota, March 4, 1918. He grew up in Lisbon, Iowa with his parents Reuben Peter (“R.P.”) and Lydia Stoltz Andreas. The fourth of five children, Andreas developed his profound respect for the American farmer and the importance of agriculture at a very young age on his family’s farm.Mr. Andreas believed there were enough resources in the United States to feed the entire world, and if we could end hunger, there would be peace. He was committed to increasing productivity of farmland, supply chain, and processors to meet rising global food demand. Through his efforts to expand food production, markets, and distribution on a global basis, he built relationships with every U.S. President from Truman to Clinton, Mikhail Gorbachev, Boris Yeltsin, Robert Strauss, James Baker and Shimon Peres and many others. Mr. Andreas built trust as a businessman and was able to serve as an emissary to promote peace and dialogue between adversaries. Tip O’Neill once stated “Andreas is the smartest man I’ve ever met”.Mr. Andreas was a licensed pilot (flying sea planes and regular aircraft) and was an avid golfer. He had a deep friendship with Mother Teresa and support for the Missionaries of Charity. His generosity extended to all people, his family, any person who came to him with difficulties, including the neglected people he might see on the street.Mr. Andreas is survived by his 3 children Sandra Andreas McMurtrie of Bethesda, MD, Terry Andreas and husband John Hewig of New York, NY, Michael Andreas and wife Sally of Decatur, IL; grandchildren Meghan Quinn and husband Edward, William McMurtrie and wife Elizabeth, Amanda Herndon and husband Austin, Maria Andreas Guadalupe, all of Bethesda, MD, Anne Detwiler, George Bevis, both of New York, NY, Eric Andreas, Regan Deering and husband Brian, Melissa Chiligiris, Benjamin Andreas and wife Heather, all of Decatur, IL; and 24 great grandchildren. "
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