DANIEL “BOONIE” DALEIDEN

Daniel “Boonie” Daleiden, age 83, of St. Charles, IL, passed away surrounded by the love and prayers of his family after a fierce battle with cancer, Sunday, December 11, 2022.

He was born December 20, 1938, in Aurora, IL, to proud and loving parents, Anthony and Grace Daleiden.

Daniel grew up in West Chicago and attended local schools. He graduated from West Chicago Community High School where he excelled in many sports including football, swimming, and track. His athletic passions continued as Daniel helped to establish the West Chicago Sharks swim team, worked as a lifeguard, and even sometimes the local mail man whenever he visited home while at college.

He continued his education at Western Illinois University for a time before a lack of funds brought him home. Before he could scrounge up enough to finish his collegiate career, he was drafted into the United States Army. He faithfully served his country as a tank driver until his honorable discharge. He returned to civilian life in late 1963.

Boonie met the love of his life in January of 1964, and following a whirlwind courtship, Boonie and Pam became Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Daleiden. They began their new life together in West Chicago for brief time before moving to Glen Ellyn in 1965. Westmont was the next place they put down roots until 1975 when the moved back to West Chicago. In 1986, the family moved to Maple Park before finally settling in St. Charles in 2016.

Boonie became a union plumber for UA Local #130 for 32 years, working for various businesses including in recent years, Mendel Plumbing. He at last had to lay down his tools and moved into retirement in 2004.

Boonie was born to be a father and doted on his children any time he got. He was present for most every program, game, recital, and the YMCA Indian Guides, but that paled in comparison for when he became a grandfather. He made sure to spend quality time with each child and grandchild, taking in walks, picnics, swimming at the local pool, and more, cementing him as the favorite. Boonie put his own blood, sweat, and tears into the building of his home in Maple Park, complete with his own “bunny hill” for the kids to sled down during the winter, and ride down during the summer with their golf carts. There was also a race track he built around the property that fueled summer fun for years. He was a master carpenter and wood worker and did a fair share of lumberjacking to boot. Soap box and Pine wood derby cars were a fixture, and no one was prouder than Boonie sitting atop of his tractor. He loved the outdoors and all those that lived there, especially the local birds and owls that he fed unlimited feed every season. He reprised his time in the Boy Scouts as a child when he helped at many Boy Scout Camps during the summer months. Boonie and Pam enjoyed traveling to antique shows and take side adventures to various locations making memories with every stop. While Pam went to quilt shows or in search of a hidden treasure, Boonie sidled up to the nearest bar or restaurant and thoroughly “examined” all they had to offer. Of all his hobbies, eating topped them all, but he held his own in the kitchen too! Gold Ribbon Gravy, corn mush, and each winter season, you could count on the delicious aroma of homemade Wassel wafting through the house. Boonie was many things to many people, but to his family he was the one they always looked to for special time, a wink, laugh, and the ever-present jokes that seemed to always live on the tip of his tongue.

He now leaves his loving wife Pam Daleiden; three children: Danielle (Keith) Sumoski, Matthew (Sally Hanson) Daleiden, and Amanda (Matthew) Dionisopoulos; four grandchildren: Jake, Sara, Juliann and Jared; three siblings: Ginger (Bob) Jurish, Richard (Pat) Daleiden and James Daleiden; many nieces, nephews, cousins and a community of friends who all will miss him dearly.

Boonie is now reunited with his parents, Anthony and Grace Daleiden and two brothers, David and Gregory Daleiden, who preceded him in death.

Following Boonie’s wishes to help all those he could, the family has donated his body to science. They will hold a celebration of life at a later date when everything Boonie has left to give has been given.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to https://support.woundedwarriorproject.org. Memories and tributes may be left on the Conley Funeral Home Facebook Page, or at www.conleycare.com.