Daniel T. Shea

Daniel Thomas Shea, 74, of Gilson, Illinois, passed away peacefully on July 26th, 2024, at OSF Richard L. Owens Hospice Home in Peoria, Illinois.

He was born to William & Connie (Kneeream) Shea in Galesburg on 10 December 1949. ‘Babe’ as he was called, grew up on the farm doing what he loved, taking care of farm animals & working on tractors. Danny was reared and educated in Rio, Illinois, graduating from ROVA in 1968. He then joined the United States Army and proudly served in Vietnam as a tank mechanic.

Shortly after his return stateside, he met his soon to be wife, Cecelia Godsil. They married on December 16th, 1972, at St. Aloysius Church in Wataga, Illinois. While residing in Wataga, they owned and operated Shea’s FS Service. They soon welcomed their firstborn daughter, Kimberly. William and Michael followed just a few years later. Danny longed for his passion for farming and moved his family to rural Gilson. His family grew and their youngest daughter, Sarah, completed the brood. Danny continued his years on the farm, raising pigs, cows, and chickens. He also owned & operated Shea’s Sandblasting and Painting. He was a member of St. Aloysius Catholic Church & Knoxville American Legion.

Up until his final days, Danny was always working on projects, taking care of his animals & enjoyed living ‘on the edge of paradise’. He was such a gentle and easy-going man. Danny will be lovingly remembered for his brilliant blue eyes and infectious laugh. He will be deeply missed.

Danny is survived by his wife of 51 years, Cecelia of Gilson; his four children, Kim (Tom) Barry of Knoxville, Bill (Sarah Iles) of Henderson, Mike (Maya Foley) Galesburg, and Sarah (Juan) Gonzalez of Elburn; three siblings: William ‘Buddy’ (Helen) Shea of Wataga, Dennis Shea of Henderson, and Linda Colwell of Georgetown, Texas. Also surviving are ten grandchildren: Thomas (Katie Rapp) Barry, Emily (Austyn) Wiesman, Sylvia (Colton) Stone, Jillian (Drew Giles) Davis, Hendrix Palmgren, Finnegan Shea, and Lilliana, Gabriella, Daniella, and Jordan Gonzalez; two great-grandchildren, Amari Allen and Stella Stone; and numerous in-laws and nieces & nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; one sister, Hazel Stewart; and a brother-in-law, Tom Colwell.

In the last act of generosity and care for others, Daniel chose to donate his body to science. Visitation for Danny will be 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Saturday, September 7, 2024 at St. Aloysisus Church, Wataga, Illinois. Funeral Mass will follow at 11:00 a.m. Father Deus-Dedit Byabato will officiate. Military honors will be provided by the Knox County Honor Guard. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Aloysius Catholic Church or Galesburg VFW Post 2257. Online expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family at www.watsonthomas.com..