John Alexander Daniel

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.