List of people from Decatur, Illinois

The following list includes notable people who were born or have lived in Decatur, Illinois.

See also: Category:People from Decatur, Illinois

Authors and academics

• Charles J. Givens, (1941–1998) financial lecturer and author
• James W. Loewen, author, historian, and sociology professor
• Richard Peck, children's author; 2001 Newbery Medal winner; born in Decatur (1934)

Media and arts

• Jenny Lou Carson, (born Virginia Lucille Overstake; 1915–1978) country singer-songwriter
• June Christy (1925–1990) 1950s jazz singer
• Loren Coleman, (1947 -) author, cryptozoologist, radio and television personality
• Fern I. Coppedge, (1884-1951) Artist, Born in Decatur, Illinois, she spent much of her life in Pennsylvania where she was associated with the Pennsylvania Impressionism movement. She attended the Art Institute of Chicago. She became well known for her work as a landscape impressionist. In 2011 a newly discovered landscape painting by Coppedge, entitled "October", was sold at auction for $29,800. In 2006 a Coppedge painting was auctioned for $308,000.
• Dale Connelly, host of Minnesota Public Radio's HD Radio and internet-streamed broadcast, Radio Heartland
• Brian Culbertson, jazz musician
• John Doe, founder of L.A. punk band X
• CeCe Frey, pop singer featured on season 2 of The X Factor (U.S.)
• Chad Gray, singer of alternative metal band Mudvayne; spent most of his childhood in Decatur
• Steve Hunter, guitarist with Mitch Ryder, Lou Reed, Alice Cooper, and Peter Gabriel
• Alison Krauss, bluegrass artist; born in Decatur (1971)
• RonReaco Lee, Film and TV Actor
• Nan Martin, movie and television actress
• Stephen Mason, guitar player for Jars of Clay
• Boots Randolph, jazz saxophonist, composer of Yakety Sax
• V Shape Mind, heavy pop band

Military

• Hermann Lieb, Civil War officer and commander of the "African Brigade"
• Isaac C. Pugh, Union Army general in the American Civil War

Outlaws

• Charles E. Boles, western outlaw (aka "Black Bart")

Politics

• Jesse Hale Moore, (1817–1883) U.S. Representative from Illinois
• Richard James Oglesby, (1824–1899) US senator and the 14th governor of Illinois

Sports

Baseball

• Walter "Boom-Boom" Beck (1904–1987), pitcher for six Major League Baseball teams
• Chuck Dressen (1898–1966), manager and coach for six Major League Baseball teams
• Harry East (1862–1905), infielder for the Baltimore Orioles
• Jeff Innis, pitcher for the New York Mets
• Kevin Koslofski (1966–), outfielder for the Kansas City Royals and Milwaukee Brewers
• Hobie Landrith (1930–), catcher and coach for seven Major League Baseball teams
• Fred T. Long, baseball player in the Negro Leagues; college football coach
• Bill Madlock, third baseman for the Texas Rangers, Chicago Cubs, San Francisco Giants, Pittsburgh Pirates, Los Angeles Dodgers and Detroit Tigers
• Dan Porter (1931–), outfielder for the Washington Senators
• Kevin Roberson, outfielder for the Chicago Cubs and New York Mets
• Art Scharein (1905–1969), infielder for the St Louis Browns
• George Scharein (1914–1981), shortstop for the Philadelphia Phillies
• Roe Skidmore (1945–), pinch hitter for the Chicago Cubs
• Brian Snitker, third base coach for the Atlanta Braves
• Del Unser, center fielder for the Washington Senators, Cleveland Indians, New York Mets, Montreal Expos and Philadelphia Phillies

Professional Wrestling

• Glenn Jacobs (Kane) once had a gimmick as a psychotic dentist known as Dr. Isaac Yankem, DDS. Yankem was billed as being from Decatur.

Basketball

• LaToya Bond (1984–), guard for the Indiana Fever (WNBA); born in Decatur (1984)
• Todd Day, shooting guard for five National Basketball Association teams; born in Decatur
• Luke Harangody, forward for the Boston Celtics and Cleveland Cavaliers; born in Decatur

Football

• Jason Avant, wide receiver for the Philadelphia Eagles
• Steve Fairchild, head football coach at Colorado State University
• George Halas, founder of the Decatur Staleys which formed into the Chicago Bears
• Harry Long, college football coach and Wiley College biology professor
• Brit Miller, fullback for the St. Louis Rams