Dan Wagner

Daniel Carl Wagner, age 85, beloved husband of 60 years to Sybil Mae Wagner of Durand, IL, passed away peacefully on Thursday, October 19, 2023. Dan’s final moments were spent in his favorite room at home overlooking Lake Summerset, surrounded by his loving family. He is now gone fishing.

Dan was born in Peoria, Illinois, on August 03, 1938, to the late Daniel Christian Wagner and Mary June Wagner. He was a high school graduate of Metamora High School in Metamora, IL, and attended college at Bradley University in Peoria, IL.

Dan had a life-long love affair with flight. He was a long-time active member of the Experimental Aircraft Association. After building a home-built airplane with his twin brother Don and best friend Jerry, Dan served as a fighter pilot in the United States Air Force and the Air National Guard. He served from 1957 to 1966. Although he flew many planes, the F84 and F100 were his favorite fighter jets to fly because he could break the sound barrier in both. Anyone who has driven with him knows that he probably broke the sound barrier every chance he could get!

Dan started flying for Eastern Airlines in August 1963 and retired as an A300 Captain on January 18, 1991. He flew the Constellation, DC-9, Boeing 7-27, and Airbus 300 with Eastern. He was a proud member of the Airline Pilots Association (ALPA), making sacrifices in his career to stand up for the rights of others.

When Dan was not flying, he served for 30 years as a paramedic/firefighter for the Pingree Grove & Countryside Fire Protection District. After his career with Eastern Airlines, Dan was hired as Pingree Grove’s first full-time Fire Chief. In retirement, he continued his public service, volunteering to share his experience and knowledge with the Durand Fire Department.

Throughout his life, Dan loved to fish. On April 14, 1973, he caught the first recorded Illinois state record Muskie at Spring Lake, IL. Upon his retirement from the fire department, Dan loved enjoying sunsets and fishing with family and friends at his and Sybil’s new home in Lake Summerset.

Dan was an active member of the Durand Lions Club, receiving the honor of becoming a Melvin Jones Fellow in 2023. He was a member of Durand United Methodist Church in Durand, Illinois, and loved to travel the world with the love of his life, Sybil. He took pride in the fact that he accomplished his bucket list of visiting all 50 states.

Dan was preceded in death by his parents, Daniel Christian and Mary Wagner, and his twin brother, Donald Wagner.

Survivors include his wife, Sybil, his daughters Conni Rae Villella (Joe) of Durand, IL, Jeri Ellen Wagner of Kirkland, IL, son Daniel Charles Wagner (Sheila) of Elgin, IL, grandchildren Patrick Charles Kellish (Kelly), Kevin Joseph Kellish, Emma Dean Warner (Jake), Grace Elizabeth Ingersoll (Dylan), Donald James Getzelman, Daniel Christian Wagner, Connor Douglas Wagner, Tyler Jacob Wagner, and one great-grandchild Parker Bradley Kellish.

A funeral ceremony will be held at 11:30 am October 23, 2023 in Durand United Methodist Church 102 East Main St. Durand, IL with Reverend James Ketzel and Pastor Brenda Byrne officiating. Burial in Durand Township Cemetery. A visitation will be held from 9:30 am to time of ceremony Monday October 23, 2023.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in Daniel’s honor to the Lake Summerset Fish Club POB 165 Durand, IL 61024 or Durand Lions Club POB 165 Durand, IL 61024