Daniel Gunder Reese, age 97, passed away peacefully on March 1, 2025.
He was born in Taylorville, Illinois, on December 14, 1927, and he lived in Taylorville all his life.
He married Patricia Everhart Reese in 1956, who predeceased him in 2020. He is survived by his son Lindsey E. Reese, daughters Erin Hofstrand and Jill Tobin and seven grandchildren.
He practiced law in Taylorville for 70 years and was a partner in Reese and Reese Law Office with his son Lindsey until his death. His father Leal Reese and grandfather Lindsey Reese also practiced law in Taylorville.
He graduated from Taylorville High School in 1945, was coached by Dolph Stanley, and is in the Taylorville Sports Hall of Fame.
He graduated from the University of Illinois in 1951 and law school at the University of Chicago in 1954. He served in the US Army from 1954-1956.
He was the Mayor of Taylorville from 1969 to 1985 and held various other positions of responsibility including but not limited to: Secretary and Director of the Christian County Agricultural Fair Association from 1957 through 1961; Vice President, Secretary and Director of the Taylorville Industrial Development Corporation; Director of Taylorville Co-op Association 1965-1981; Director and Executive Committee Member of the Central Illinois Health Planning Council, Inc. from 1970 through 1975; President of Christian County Bar Association 1976; served on various committees of the Christian County Y.M.C.A.; and was a Mason and a Shriner.
He was a proud Republican and served as County Chairman of the Republican Central Committee and coordinated many political campaigns. He attended the inauguration of several presidents and was a delegate at the 1992 Republican National Convention.
He loved to travel and was a true adventurer. He invited many of his friends from Taylorville to join in his adventures at his cabin in Canada. He traveled to every continent and sailed every sea. He traveled to over 50 countries and enjoyed telling his tales to those back home.
He lived at 513 West Main Cross Street, Taylorville, Illinois, since 1932. He loved Taylorville and did his best to make it a Great Place for all of us to live.
A private service will be held with a reception in his honor on March 15th, at 3:00 P.M., at the American Legion in Taylorville.
Sutton Memorial Home in Taylorville is assisting the family with arrangements. Please sign our online guestbook at suttonmemorialhome.com.
