West Terre Haute, Indiana - It is with deep sadness that we announce the
passing of our devoted husband, father,
grandfather, and great-grandfather, John
Alexander Daniel, Jr. on Monday, September
29, 2025 at the age of 88. John was born to
John Alexander Daniel and Martha Mary Rodi
Daniel on July 7, 1937, at his homeplace in
West Terre Haute, Indiana. John attended
Consolidated and Concannon High School.
During 1952-53, he attended Columbia Military
Academy in Columbia, Tennessee. He
graduated in 1956 from Concannon High
School. He ran track and cross country at
Concannon High School and later ran track at
Rose Poly (Rose Hulman) for 1 year. He
graduated from Indiana State University in
1960. Later he earned his master's degree in
education.
John met his high school sweetheart, Marilyn
Long, during their junior year on the gym dance
floor. They were married in August 1960 and
married for 65 years. John began his teaching
career as a student teacher at Glenn High
School. Then, he was hired to teach social
studies at Glenn. He then was transferred to
Honey Creek Middle School in 1970. In 1977,
he was hired at West Vigo Middle School until
retirement in 1993.
Home was John's favorite place to be and his
Welsh and Italian families meant everything to
him. He loved music and loved singing. He had
a rich baritone voice and sang at Welsh
Gymanfa Ganus and with the Italian Singers
for almost 40 years. He loved to dance! John
was the ultimate renaissance man, he could
build, plumb, provide electricity, masonry, and
made sure his children and grandchildren
learned.
When John was 60 years old, he rode BMX
bikes with his grandson, Dylan. He was #1 in
his age group in the state of Indiana.
John loved reading about, watching, and
discussing current events around the world. He
loved learning about different cultures and
different political constructs. He was extremely
knowledgeable about United States History
and World History.
He belonged to the American Federation of
Teachers, Local #734, Francis Vigo Italian
Club, and the Perrelle, Sereno, and Rodi
American-Calabrian Club.
John was preceded in death by his parents,
John and Martha Daniel and son, (Scot) Jack
Alexander Daniel. He is survived by his wife,
Marilyn Long Daniel, daughter, Elissa Daniel,
and grandson, Dylan Edward Shank (Desirae).
His most prized title was Poppy. He has many
great-grandchildren: Lyric Shank, Thomas
Shank, Greyson Shank, Oaklie Shank, Dennis
Leek, Layla Leek, and Jaxon Leek.
Services will be held at a later date. Our family
would like to extend our many thanks to the
entire staff of Signature Health Care for giving
John the highest level of care and attention.
Giovanini Funeral Home is in charge of
cremation.
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of John, please visit our floral store.
West Terre Haute, Indiana - It is with deep sadness that we announce the
passing of our devoted husband, father,
grandfather, and great-grandfather, John
Alexander Daniel, Jr. on Monday, September
29, 2025 at the age of 88. John was born to
John Alexander Daniel and Martha Mary Rodi
Daniel on July 7, 1937, at
Published on October 1, 2025
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In Memory of John Alexander Daniel