February 4, 1958 – December 3, 2023
Information provided by the family
John “Danny” Charles Danielson, age 65, of Schererville, IN, formerly a lifelong resident of Lansing, IL, died at his home on Sunday, December 3, 2023, after a long valiant fight with colon cancer.
John was born February 4, 1958, in Hammond, IN, to the late Jack R. and Marjorie F. (nee Lehr) Danielson.
On December 31, 1985, in Las Vegas, NV, John married the love of his life, Gidget L (Gentry) Danielson. Together, they shared 38 wonderful years of marriage.
John and Gidget were blessed with 4 beautiful children: Jamie (Brian) Jones, Mallory (Steve) Principe, Shaun (Elaine) Danielson, and Deidre (Jeremiah) Pentek.
He adored his twelve wonderful grandchildren: Brian, Lauren, Caden, Lillian, Caylee, Tessa, Dominic, Everett, Caroline, Owen, Collin, and Eliza; and his two great grandchildren, Haven and Scarlett.
John retired in 2020 from US Ecology, concluding 38 years of dedicated service. His journey began in 1983 as a day laborer, working his way up to General Manager.
In 1991, John embarked on another meaningful chapter of his life as a paid-on-call firefighter for the Village of Lansing. This was a role he cherished, and he devoted 20 years of his service, retiring in 2011.
John spent numerous years actively contributing as a member of the Copper Muggers Club. His dedication was such that he even served as the club’s president for a period of time.
His impact on both his professional and community spheres reflects a life well-lived in service to others.
John was a lover of Christmas, the outdoors, fishing, boating, camping with his family, or simply sitting in the back yard watching the birds and drinking a Miller Genuine Draft beer. He will be remembered as a loving, giving, dedicated, and devoted husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend.
John is survived by his sisters Colleen (Herman-late) Woldhuis, Dorothy (Kenneth) Hanson, Debra (Daniel) Waitekus, and Julie (Todd) Venem, as well as many nieces, nephews, and other loving family members and friends. He is preceded in death by his parents, sister Diane (Ronald) Watson, and brother-in-law Herman Woldhuis.
John’s wishes were for a Celebration of Life that will be held Sunday, December 10, 2023, at JJ Kelley’s, 2455 Bernice Rd Lansing IL from 2-6pm.
He intended to be cremated and his ashes to be spread over his beloved Lac Vieux Desert in upper Wisconsin privately with his family.
He will be so incredibly missed by his family and all who knew him.
“Do not stand at my grave and weep, I am not there, I do not sleep.” “Better by far you should forget and smile than that you should remember and be sad.”
