Allison "Al" Dirks, a 53-year-old man from Athens, Illinois, passed away on September 15, 2015, at his residence. Al was born on June 7, 1962, in Springfield, Illinois, and was the son of Eddie and Dorothy Dirks. He graduated from Athens High School in 1979 and later started his own business, Area Glass, in Athens at the age of 27. Al was known for his love of gardening, playing softball, and supporting the St. Louis Cardinals.
The circumstances surrounding Al Dirks' death were tragic. His wife, Sherrie Dirks, 51 years old at the time, was charged with first-degree murder for fatally shooting him during a domestic dispute on September 15, 2015. Sherrie initially faced a first-degree murder charge but later pleaded guilty to second-degree murder. The plea deal capped her possible prison sentence at 19 years. The court records indicated that the motive for the crime was a domestic dispute between the couple.
Sherrie Dirks' sentencing hearing was scheduled for May 31, and she faced a potential prison term of four to 15 years, with the possibility of an extended term of 15 to 30 years due to the heinous nature of the crime. The case marked the first homicide in Athens, a small town with a population of just under 2,000 people, in at least a decade.
The community was deeply affected by the loss of Al Dirks, who was remembered fondly by friends and family for his contributions to the community and his passion for life. The case also highlighted the devastating impact of domestic violence and the importance of addressing such issues within communities.
