Derek Anson Winchester, 35, of Decatur, Illinois passed away Monday, November 8, 2021, surrounded by his loving family. Derek was born January 31, 1986, in Decatur to Gregg Winchester and Teresa (Ratliff) Dixon, the youngest of their three sons. He was a student in the Argenta-Oreana school district from kindergarten to 12th grade, graduating in the class of 2004. As a teenager, he attained the rank of Eagle Scout, the highest achievement possible in the Boy Scouts of America organization. He received his Certificate of Emergency Medical Services and Associate’s Degree in Nursing from Richland Community College, his LPN from Capitol Area School of Nursing, and ultimately his RN from Richland. Derek saved lives for a living. He was an emergency room nurse for 13 years, working first at Decatur Memorial Hospital and then at St. Mary’s Hospital in Decatur, IL. He loved his job, his colleagues, and his patients and was widely-respected among members of the healthcare community as one of the most committed and skilled nurses in Central Illinois. Derek’s favorite hobbies were reading and traveling. He was an avid reader of both classic and contemporary fiction, and could rarely be found without a book in his hands or on his nightstand. His family and friends regularly relied on him for recommendations about what they should read next, and Derek was always generous with loaning or gifting his own copies. Some personal favorites of his included The Count of Monte Cristo, The Night Circus, and The Kingsbridge Series of historical novels by Ken Follett. Derek also loved to travel and plan for travel. He went on many international adventures (and the occasional misadventure) to destinations such as Turkey, Portugal, Iceland, Ireland, Morocco, and the canoe and wilderness areas of Canada. Next on his list of travel destinations were Tulum, Mexico and Bali, Indonesia. He was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, Charles and Charlene Winchester. He is survived by his parents, Teresa Dixon and Gregg Winchester, his stepfather, Parry Dixon, his brothers, Daniel and Darren Winchester, his sister-in-laws, Christie Sennott Winchester and Amy Winchester, his step-siblings, Forest Dixon, Crissy Dixon, and Maria Lichty, his maternal grandparents, William and Iladeen Ratliff, and his adoring nieces and nephew, Ella, June, and Oliver Winchester. Funeral arrangements are being handled by Brintlinger and Earl Funeral Home in Decatur. The visitation will be held on Friday, November 12, 5-9pm, at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, 3955 Lourdes Dr, Decatur, IL. The funeral will be held at the same location on Saturday, November 13 at 10am. Both events are open to all who knew and loved Derek. Donations in Derek’s memory can be made to Cancer Care Specialists of Illinois Charitable Fund - See Memorial Contributions Link Below - or call 217-429-3000 during regular business hours.