Michael Francis Daily

Michael Francis Daily, age 86, of Thomson, IL, passed away peacefully at home on July 4, 2025. A private funeral Mass will be held, with interment taking place at Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery, in Cedar Rapids, IA.

Michael is survived by his beloved wife of 66 years, Mary Daily; his children, Wendy (Brian) Cromie, Laurie (David) Williams, and Michael B. Daily; 11 grandchildren, David (Melissa) Williams III, Holly (Anthony) Fernandes, Patrick (Jennifer) Williams, Robert (Alexis) Williams, Kevin (Shannon) Williams, Shawn (Lucas) Cromie, Megan (Jordan) Erceg, Patrick (Blair) Cromie, Michael F. (Sarah) Williams, Jacob Williams, and Mary (Steve) Wikoff; and 25 great grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his parents, William Kenneth Daily and Frances Leone Kline; his grandfather, Robert Daily; two sisters, Kathleen Daily and Patricia Sansone; and one brother, Shawn Daily.

Michael was born on September 6, 1938, in LaPorte City, IA to William Kenneth Daily and Frances Leone Klein. He lived in Waterloo, IA as a child, and loved spending summers at his Grandfather Robert’s farm in Dysart, IA. He went to school in Dysart until his senior year of high school, when he transferred to Franklin High School in Cedar Rapids, where he met the love of his life Mary.

After high school, he enlisted with the Air Force and served our country for four years. During that time, he and Mary became engaged and married in 1959. They moved to South Carolina where they started their family. Once out of the service they moved back to Cedar Rapids, where he began working as a fireman. He was always a very hard worker, often working three jobs at a time to support his family. He ended up working in sales where he did very well, eventually taking a job in the Chicagoland area, moving his family to Illinois in 1968. Mike owned his own business for fifteen years, working alongside his wife and son where he worked until retiring in 2001. He and his wife retired to Thomson, IL, building a home, and settling into the community that they love.

Michael was a faithful servant to God, and was a member of the Knights of Columbus, an avid hunter, talented football player, fisherman, and trapshooter. He loved the outdoors which brought him to the Savanna area. He loved woodworking, carpentry, calligraphy, and cowboy hats. He truly was a jack of all trades. But what he loved most was his family and his dogs. He and Mary loved visiting their children across the country, and they were a constant in the lives of their children and grandchildren. Michael will be loved and missed by his family and friends. May he rest in peace knowing his job on earth is completed.