Obituary of Dan B. Gunnell
Dan B. Gunnell, age 58, passed away on Monday, November 22, 2021. He is survived by his devoted wife, Maureen (Birmingham) Gunnell of 35 years and was the proud father of Conor Gunnell. Dan was born in Chicago to the late Donald and Barbara (Marsh) Gunnell and has two wonderful sisters, Dr. Kathy (Chris Goode) Gunnell and Dona (late Harry) Howell. He has many outstanding nieces and nephews and many adorable great-nieces and nephews along with many friends, especially Bob Davis, Bill Demuth and Jim Slanker, who were more like brothers than friends.
Dan graduated from Oak Forest Christian Academy High School and from the Illinois Institute of Technology, where he was a member of Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity. He went on to earn his Master’s Degree from the University of Illinois at Chicago and he was working on his Doctorate Degree.
Dan was an Eagle Scout with the Boy Scouts of American and was a proud United States Navy Veteran. He was Assistant Laboratory Director for the Illinois State Police Crime Lab in Joliet, with his specialty being firearms and tool marks. He recently retired after 31 years of dedicated service. Dan was also the past president for the Association of Firearms and Tool Mark Examiners.
For many years Dan and Maureen belonged to the Society for Creative Anachronism, where he became a squire and enjoyed reliving medieval life. Dan loved Halloween and belonged to the Chicago Haunt Builders. He would transform his front yard to look like a cemetery and pumpkin patch using materials he and his friends would make all year long. He even made a witch's hut.
Dan was a loving husband and a very attentive father. He loved sharing stories and making people laugh (with his slightly twisted sense of humor). He strived to be respectful and respected in both the field and amongst family and friends, in which he achieved both. He enjoyed reading and educating himself on a vast array of topics. Dan loved his puppies, Carter and Sadie, and all of the snuggles they gave him to feel better. Dan will always be in our hearts and will be sorely missed. Slainte!
Visitation for Dan B. Gunnell will be Sunday, November 28, 2021 at the Fred C. Dames Funeral Home, 3200 Black Rd. (at Essington), Joliet from 2:00-6:00 p.m. Funeral Services will be Monday, November 29, 2021 at 10:00 a.m. at the funeral home chapel. Interment will follow at Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery, where full military honors will be conducted by the U.S. Navy and the Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery Memorial Squad.
The family has requested to live stream the services of their loved one on Monday, November 29, 2021 at 10:00 a.m. Please click on this link (https://youtu.be/L9yuSoHClUk) and follow the instructions to show your support for them at a time when you cannot be physically present, but your thoughts, prayers and connection are.
In lieu of flowers, memorials in his name to Vested Interest in K9’s Inc. of East Taunton, Ma, that provides bullet and stab protective vests to dogs of law enforcement agencies.
For more information, please call (815) 741-5500 or visit his Memorial Tribute at www.fredcdames.com where you can share a favorite memory or leave an online condolence.
