Lynn A. Daniels

Lynn Arden Daniels, 70, passed away peacefully at his home with his family surrounding him on Tuesday, April 9th. An informal gathering celebrating Lynn’s life will be held at the Preston Town Hall on Tuesday, April 16th from 5:00 to 7:00. Lynn was born on September 7, 1953 to Wayne and Shirley (Yates) Daniels in Savanna, IL. He was the oldest of seven children and grew up in Miles, Iowa. You would always find him playing ball in the yard with his siblings, cousins and neighbors. Throughout his years, he participated in many sporting events, one of the most memorable was being a member of the 1969 State Winning Miles Track team. If he wasn’t running, you would find him either on the baseball field or basketball court (where to this day he still can’t make a lay up). He was an avid sports fan of the Detroit Lions, Chicago Cubs, and Iowa Hawkeyes. After graduating from Miles High School in 1971, he continued his education and played baseball at the University of Dubuque. He graduated with a degree in Education. He undertook many roles, one being a police officer in Bellevue and an Ammunition Inspector for the government. However, his favorite careers were teaching Industrial Technology, PE, Coaching and being a Driver’s Education Teacher. In 1982, he married Karen Schnack, from Clinton, IA. In September, they celebrated their 41st wedding anniversary. They welcomed three daughters: Erin, Ashley and Melissa. As he raised his three daughters, you could always find him whistling on a ballfield to tell his girls where the next hit would be, yelling on the court, and cheering them on during a band competition. Lynn spent his later years playing cards with his friends, hitting up the casino, and going for his daily rides with his rescue dog, Pippy. Although there were many things in his life that made him happy, his true joy was his grandkids. From cheering on Caden in sports, to fishing with Brayden, to incorrectly teaching Brynn how to play volleyball, to letting Addy do his makeup, to picking animal battles with Owen, cuddling with Evyn, and eating ice cream with Elly. His grandchildren were truly the light of his life. In lieu of a visitation and services for Lynn, he would want you to love your family, play with your grandkids, rescue a dog, and take a chance at the casino. Lynn is survived by his wife, Karen; his three daughters Erin (Andy) Merrill of Riverdale, Ashley (Aaron) Schroeder of DeWitt, and Melissa (Mitch) Phillips of Camanche. He is survived by five siblings. He was preceded in death by his parents, Wayne and Shirley (Yates) Daniels and his brother Michael Daniels. Memorials can be made through simple acts of kindness, like paying off a student’s lunch account, donating to your local humane society/animal shelter or the Illinois German Shorthair Rescue.

Lynn A. Daniels

September 7, 1953 - April 9, 2024