Daniel Charles Small

Daniel Charles Small, age 85, of South Holland, IL, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, March 4, 2025. Dan was born May 10, 1939, in Chicago, IL, the son of Andrew and Margaret (nee Johnson) Small.

Dan attended Mt. Carmel High School and Notre Dame University. He married Mary Ellen LaPres in 1959 and they raised their five children in South Holland. Dan shared many stories of his time playing football and baseball and his time traveling with his dad to baseball games. He told of his adventures as a kid collecting Major League Baseball autographs and memorabilia. Dan and Mary were long-time members of Holy Ghost Church where he coached football for many years. After college, Dan followed in his father’s footsteps and delivered milk to independently owned grocery stores and then became a building engineer working for the Chicago public schools, Northwestern Memorial Hospital and other high-rise buildings in Chicago.

Dan is survived by his five children: Kevin (Linda) Small, Laura Small, Jean (Rob) Fredrickson, Tom (Tammy) Small and Rita (Adam) Stone, his brother Jack Small, 10 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife, Mary Ellen, his parents, and sister-in-law Gwen Small.

Dan’s family would like to thank the staff and volunteers at William J. Riley Memorial Residence in Munster, IN for the excellent care they provided Dan in his last months.