Daniel L. Makeever, 64, El Paso, Texas, and formerly of Galesburg, lost a tough battle to Stage 4 cancer on Sunday, Sept. 3, 2023, in El Paso.
He was born in Galesburg, IL,on Oct. 21, 1958, to Don and Wanda Makeever.
Dan grew up in Northland neighborhood in Galesburg. He graduated from GHS in 1976. He received an Associate in Science degree from Carl Sandburg College in 1979, as well as a Bachelor of Science General Agriculture degree from Southern Illinois University in 1981.
Dan had various jobs in Atlanta, Bradenton, Kissimmee and Galesburg. Later he studied to become a Radiographer and Computed Tomography in 1996 and 1999. He took a job in Muscatine and then in El Paso.
Dan enjoyed the climate and allergy free living, friends, his job and his apartment in El Paso.
He recently retired in 2022, as a CT Technician 2 at Del Sol Medical Center.
Dan loved to fish, watch sports, go to concerts, watch NASCAR, spend time traveling and hearing stories and looking at pictures of loved ones’ lives and adventures. Dan enjoyed all holidays, especially Halloween. He knew how to make life fun! He had a lot of favorite expressions, like his loud “ahhh ahhh!” and sayings like; “poking it down”, “honkin’”, “holy honkin’ cheese whiz”, “cool beans”, “oh my butterbeans”, and many other Dannyisms, that made Dan, Dan.
Daniel was preceded in death by his parents, Don and Wanda Makeever of Galesburg. He is survived by his sister, Susan Lithander (Dennis) of Lansing, Michigan, and brothers, Don Makeever (Sylvia) of Galesburg, David Makeever (Lisa) of Galesburg, and Mark Makeever (Kim) of Edmond, Oklahoma.
Dan also had 5 nieces and 6 nephews.
Per Dan’s wishes, he was cremated with the family spreading his ashes in a few of his favorite places.
If you wish to honor Dan with a memorial. Please give to Tatum Tough Foundation c/o Patti Adams, PO Box 929 Canyon, TX, 79015, or deposit at any First United Bank location. The Tatum Tough Foundation is in memory of one of Dan’s brother’s (Mark) ex-player’s daughters.
