Robert "Dan" Gurney, Sr.

Robert "Dan" Gurney, Sr.

Age 76 of Braidwood and formerly of Cicero, passed away Friday morning, May 26, 2017 at his home – following a valiant battle with cancer.

Born June 26, 1940 in Mary Helen/Coal Good, Kentucky, Robert Daniel Gurney, was a son of the late Willard and Irene (Gilpin) Thompson. He was raised and educated in Colorado, before moving to Chicago, where he graduated from Lane Tech with the Class of 1958. Dan went on to further his education, earning his Bachelors of Science in Mechanical Engineering. On November 29, 1966, he married Marlene Kay Olson, and together they happily celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary. Dan honorably served in the Army Special Forces, and remained stateside during the Vietnam Era.

Dan was always a hard worker, and aside from being a ‘jack of all trades’, he made his living for 34 years as an auto body repairman and shop manager, retiring in 2005. Other jobs entailed gaining his CDL after retirement and working as a truck driver for a short while, as well as working in the trades as a carpenter and glassman, glazer and auto glass installer. Dan was last employed at Advance Auto Parts in Diamond.

Dan loved many activities from auto racing, boating, and flying small planes, but always had an ongoing love affair with automobiles. He raced at O'Hare Stadium, and raced midgets on the UARA circuit. He built kit cars, as well as older automobiles, always loving the challenge of taking something old and making it new again.

One of Dan's loves that was closest to his heart other than family and friends was his fellow Veterans. It was this passion that inspired Dan to volunteer at Hines VA Hospital in the extended care unit for over 30 years.

Dan was a member of the Berwyn Masonic Lodge #839 A.F. & A.M., and at one time was a clown and a piper with the Medina Shriners. He had belonged to the Viet Now, American Legion and the Berwyn V.F.W. Dan also had a group called EMTC (Early Military Training Command) to teach our young people about military life and training.

Dan loved spending time with family and friends, and was always the life of the party. He enjoyed meeting people, and he felt a stranger was just someone he hadn't met yet. It was Dan's belief that his day was worthwhile if he just made one person laugh or smile.

Survivors include his wife Marlene; two children: Christine LaChance of Braidwood and Robert “Dan, Jr.”  (Jenice) Gurney of Gardner; (13) grandchildren; (11) great grandchildren; one brother and two sisters: Ann (Donald) Jones of Fairchild, WI, Paul Douglas of Dana Point, CA and Jacqueline (Mark) Anderson of Fairchild, WI, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

Visitation and video tribute will be held on Tuesday, May 30, 2017 from 4:00 p.m. until time of service 7:30 p.m. at Baskerville Funeral Home, 700 East Kahler Road in Wilmington.

Cremation rites will be accorded following the services.

Preferred memorials may be made as gifts in Dan’s memory to a cancer related charity of the donor’s choosing.

Family and friends may sign the guest book, upload photographs or share Dan’s memorial page online by logging onto: www.BaskervilleFuneral.com

Funeral services and cremation arrangements have been made under the direction and care of Baskerville Funeral Home in Wilmington. ( 815-476-2181 )