David Daniels

David K. Daniels, 86, of O’Fallon, IL, born in Belleville, IL, died Monday, January 30, 2017.

In his youth, David loved music and started playing both clarinet and saxophone professionally at the age of 16 with many of the local dance bands.  He auditioned and received a direct assignment to serve in the United States Air Force band during the Korean War.  As a hobby he collected Gilbert American Flyer toy trains, Erector sets, and other toys.  He was one of the founders of the American Flyer “S” Gaugers of the St. Louis area and helped design and build the Famous & Barr Christmas Train window display in downtown St. Louis.

Mr. Daniels was a longtime insurance agent and broker with Met Life in the Belleville-O’Fallon area.  He was a past president of the Eastside Life Underwriters Association, past president of the O’Fallon Rotary Club, and a past president of the O’Fallon Park Board, where he served for a period of 24 years.  He was part of the original group that brought baseball, girl’s softball and tennis programs to the O’Fallon park system.  He coached and managed many baseball teams along the way, including American Legion and the State Championship AA Khoury league team.  David was a veteran of the U.S. Air Force, a proud member of the American Legion, and a member of the O’Fallon Knights of Columbus Council 4239.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 59 years, Genevieve, nee Klein, Daniels; his parents, John and Leona, nee Honer, Daniels; and his brother, Floyd Daniels.

Surviving are his daughter Rhonda Brackett, of Eureka, MO;
and his sons David (Ann) Daniels of O’Fallon, IL,
Duane (Patti) Daniels of O’Fallon, IL,
and Kenneth Daniels of Fairview Heights, IL.
Also surviving are his grandchildren David Daniels, Mandy Daniels,
Brandon Daniels, Matthew Daniels, Christina Howard,
Aimee McDaniel, Jonathan Daniels and Mark Daniels;
as well as his great-grandchildren, Grant Howard, Elise Howard,
Eli McDaniel and Jayce McDaniel.

Memorials may be made to St. Clare Catholic Grade School Endowment Fund, to St. Nicholas Catholic Church, or to the O’Fallon Knights of Columbus.  Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.rennerfh.com.

Visitation:  Friends may visit with the family from 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday, February 5, 2017, and from 9 to 10 a.m. Monday, February 6, 2017, at St. Nicholas Catholic Church, O’Fallon, IL.

Funeral:  A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 a.m. Monday, February 6, 2017, at St. Nicholas Catholic Church, O’Fallon, IL, with Msgr. William Hitpas officiating.

Burial will be at Mount Calvary Cemetery, Shiloh, IL.

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