Todd Renfrow, 91, of Springfield, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, December 16, 2025, at his home with his beloved wife by his side. He was born on June 26, 1934, in Springfield, the son of Leo and Dorothy (Harmon) Renfrow. He married the love of his life, Helen Durkin, on September 17, 1958, a partnership that would last 67 years. Their daughters – Kathy, Diane, Dorothy, and Sally – were truly his world, and he adored his role as a husband, father, and later, a grandfather.
Todd is survived by his wife, Helen; two daughters, Diane (Bill) Winberg of Springfield, and Dorothy (Greg) McMillan of South Lake, TX; his grandchildren, Paula (Shawn) Barry, Michelle (Bob) Richardson, Bridgette (Ajit) Oza, Todd Shea, Travis Shea, Clayton McMillan, Perry McMillan, and Trey Winberg; great-grandchildren, Elle Richardson, Perry Richardson, Gracin Roth, Henry Barry, Blake Barry, and Raegan Pollard; several nieces and nephews; and bonus family members Derrick Johnson, Derrick Johnson, Jr. (DJ) and Atrue Williams.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his sister, Nancy Durfee; his brother, Leo “Bud” Renfrow; his bonus mother, Delores Butler Renfrow; his daughters, Kathy (Ed) Vehovic, and Sally Todd Renfrow. His family takes comfort in believing that his daughter Kathy who passed away exactly five years before him, was there to carry him into the loving arms of God.
Todd graduated from Springfield High School and went on to earn his degree at Illinois College, where he also played basketball. Following his college years, he proudly served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War.
Todd was a man who “wore many hats” throughout his life, dedicating his career to public service and his family’s auto parts business. He owned and operated Uptown Garage & Renfrow Auto Parts and later served as the Democratic Chairman of Sangamon County, the Executive Assistant to Secretary of State Alan Dixon, Director of Public Works for the City of Springfield, Deputy Director of Business Services under Secretary of State Jesse White, and the General Manager of CWLP, from which he retired.
A caring, supportive, and loving patriarch, Todd taught his family the importance of kindness, generosity, and always helping others. He cherished his free time with his family but also found great joy in playing golf and watching basketball. A natural athlete, he achieved a hole-in-one the first time he played golf and later played basketball for both Illinois College and the U.S. Army. Later in life, he became a devoted Catholic and was immensely proud to serve as an usher at Sunday Masses at Blessed Sacrament Church.
Visitation: 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. on Friday, December 26, 2025, at Blessed Sacrament Church.
Funeral Mass: 11:00 a.m., Friday, December 26, 2025, at Blessed Sacrament Church with Rev. Jeff Grant officiating. Burial will follow at Oak Ridge Cemetery.
Memorial Contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
Share stories & photos at StaabObituary.com
©2025 All Content Obituary Systems
“Professional Responsibility” protects the daily obituary. LocalObituary.com and the Authorized Licensed Funeral Provider “Thank You for Helping.”
Notice
To the extent allowed under State law, the decedent’s name, image and likeness are protected under this State’s Right of Publicity laws and should not be reproduced, copied, distributed, republished, or otherwise displayed for commercial purposes unless specifically authorized.
© All Content Obituary SystemsTM, LLC