Kerry Blake McDaniel

On July 18, 2024, Kerry Blake McDaniel shuffled off this mortal coil at his home in Madison, Wisconsin. But 67 years prior on the 9 th of March in 1957, the heavens spread open and down swooped the stork delivering a sweet baby boy to Martha Helen (Simer) and Kent Lowell McDaniel.

As time passed, this young lad grew to be the cherished first son of the family. He was dutiful, obedient, and ever so responsible. The ever-consummate boy scout went through life caring for various family pets, but always held “Heidi and Maxi,” his two weiner dogs, in the highest regard.

As a self-proclaimed military brat, he called various Air Force bases home—from Marquette’s K.I. Sawyer, to Bedford’s Hanscom, where he spent his formative years perfecting his “bah-ston” accent to befuddle the Midwesterners after his graduation from Bedford High in 1975.

While attending the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana, he stayed at his beloved grandmother’s house (Helen Simer, née Walker) in Monticello, IL. He considered Monticello the center of gravity for our family, as “Grandma’s house was always home”.

While studying a vast array of subjects—from architecture to Russian, ultimately settling on astronomy—Kerry found time to pledge to Zeta Psi, at the behest of his best friend Rob. It was there in 1976 he met the frat’s “little sister”, and his future wife, Janette De La Torre. Described by those in the know, it was “love at first sight”. Family lore recounts how he followed her around like a lost puppy, until she relented and agreed to marry him, on the 11 th of August of 1979.

After finally settling in Chicago to be near Janette’s parents (Laura Cintron De La Torre and Jesse De La Torre), they raised three children (Peter Graham, Victor Jordan and Eric Scott). Kerry surreptitiously schooled them in the wonders of the world—from Benny Hill to The Three Stooges and fart jokes. His knowledge of puns amazed us all.

In Chicago, Kerry worked a vast array of professions before settling into his career role with the Chicago Transit Authority, where he stayed until his retirement 25 years later. In 1987, Kerry enlisted in the United States Naval Reserve, serving until 1995. Kerry worked on various assignments, from maintenance on Sub Base Pearl Harbor to being tasked with flood control of the Mississippi River. He was honorably discharged, ranked at Petty Officer Third Class (ET3).

When all signs of children had evaporated from their home, he and his wife quickly absconded to Wisconsin to renew their life with the squeaks and squeals of grandchildren. They proudly spoiled Lillian Grace and Micah Emiliano, while also being of assistance with some child care. And they found time for adventures across Wisconsin and various historical sights. After Janette’s passing on the 21 st of January in 2022, Kerry would recount how he was grateful that she had dragged him along in their retirement escapades.

After 42 years of loving and caring for his wife, Kerry would spend the remaining few years happily tending to the grandkids, and adult children while in his spare time busying himself with varying internet magazines. But life without Janette wasn’t the same, and he passed away always missing and loving her. And we will always miss and love them, too.