Daniel E. Finke

Daniel E. Finke, 77, of Crainville, passed away Saturday, September 17, 2022, at his home.

Memorial services will be held at 2:00 p.m., Tuesday, September 27, 2022, at Riggin-Pillatsch & Burke Funeral Home in Carterville. Military honors will immediately follow and will be performed by the Carterville American Legion Post 347, Herrin V.F.W. and American Legion Post, and the Army National Guard Ritual Team. Visitation will be from noon to 2:00 p.m., Tuesday, at the funeral home.

Memorial contributions can be made to the First United Methodist Church in Herrin or to the SIU Foundation for the Clarence D. Finke and Daniel E. Finke Endowment Fund.

Dan was born on August 6, 1945, in St. Louis, Missouri, to Clarence D. and Bernice (Erb) Finke. He married Brenda K. Gothard on September 3, 1967, in Herrin. Together they shared 55 years, and had one son, Ryan D. Finke.

Dan moved to Herrin at an early age where he spent his childhood, and early adult life graduating from Herrin High School in 1963 and then from Southern Illinois University in 1967. In 1988, he was inducted into the College of Business Alumni Hall of Fame and was a life member of the Alumni Association.

Following graduation from college, Dan enlisted in the U.S. Army where he served with distinction. Among his accomplishments: Honor Graduate from Infantry Officer Candidate School at Ft. Benning, Georgia. After his military service, Dan returned to southern Illinois to begin a long career with Diagraph Corporation.

During his time with Diagraph, Dan was very active in the Egyptian Labor Management Committee, and in 1994, he was appointed by the Governor to the State of Illinois Labor Management Committee. He was responsible for Diagraph’s Corporate Sponsorship of the 1993 Herrin-Festa.

In 1996, Dan resigned from Diagraph Corporation and started Great Lake Marking Systems LLC.; as well as Marking Technologies Network.

He was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Herrin, the Herrin Elks Club, the Union League of Chicago, American Legion Honor Guard, and volunteered with SIH Cancer Center. He also supported many Veteran Activities: including the Honor Flight, Folds of Honor, and Operation Honor Guard.

Over many years, Dan was well known in southern Illinois and St. Louis area as an avid golfer, with a great love of the game. He seldom missed an opportunity to participate in various fund-raising outings supporting local organizations. His association with Crab Orchard Golf Club started as a teenager in 1961 with a summer job.

Dan is survived by his wife, Brenda Finke of Crainville; son, Ryan (Tammy) Finke of Sesser; four grandchildren; and several great-grandchildren.

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