Danny C. Little

Danny Craig Little, 74, of Galesburg, Illinois, formerly of Okoboji, Iowa died peacefully at home, Thursday, July 4, 2024.

Danny was born September 8, 1949 in Estherville, Iowa the son of Lorraine Virginia (Wilson) and Franklin Craig Little. Danny married Mary Margaret (Daws) Ryan on December 9, 1983 in Corpus Christi, Texas. He is survived by Mary, his wife of 40 years; his sister, Jill Little of Spencer, Iowa, and his three daughters, Tracy (Gary) Hodge of Milford, Iowa, Nicole (Tim) Meiers of Durango, Colorado, Kelly Ryan (Sam) Fisk of Galesburg; seven grandchildren, Caleb Hodge, Miles Snow, Quentin Fisk, Beaudry Fisk, Kit Fisk, Alice Ryan, and Oscar Ryan. Danny was preceded in death by his parents; one son, Paul Ryan; and one grandson, Bruno Ryan.

Danny served in the United States Navy and was honorably discharged as a Navy Petty Officer. He enjoyed being outdoors golfing and hunting, especially ducks.

He had a passion for music, including Steely Dan, Jimmy Buffet, Ricky Lee Jones, Rolling Stones, Credence Clearwater Revival, and Bob Seger. He particularly loved John Prine. The song “In Spite of Ourselves” was an especially important song for Dan and Mary.

Cremation will be accorded. No services are planned. Arrangements have been entrusted to Watson Thomas Funeral Home and Crematory, Galesburg. Memorial contributions may be made to Loving Bottoms Diaper Bank, The Orpheum Theater, or to Sunrise Rotary. Online expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family at www.watsonthomas.com.

“Death is nothing at all. It does not count. I have only slipped away into the next room. Nothing has happened. Everything remains exactly as it was. I am I, and you are you, and the old life that we lived so fondly together is untouched, unchanged. Whatever we were to each other, that we are still. Call me by the old familiar name. Speak of me in the easy way which you always used. Put no difference in your tone. Wear no forced air of solemnity or sorrow. Laugh as we always laughed at the little jokes that we enjoyed together. Play, smile, think of me, pray for me. Let my name be ever the household word that it always was. Let it be spoken without an effort, without the ghost of a shadow upon it. Life means all that it ever meant. It is the same as it ever was. There is absolute and unbroken continuity. What is this death but a negligible accident? Why should I be out of mind because I am out of sight? I am but waiting for you, for an interval, somewhere very near, just around the corner. All is well.”

~ Henry Scott-Holland