Daniel R. Buck Jr., 95, passed peacefully at Lewis Memorial Christian Home on Tuesday, December 7, 2017.

Dan was born in Springfield on September 29, 1922 one of nine children of Daniel R. and Lela Meredith Buck.  He was a Springfield High School and Springfield Junior College graduate.  He was a veteran of the U.S. Army.

Dan was a member of West Side Christian Church. He was very active in the Springfield Theater Guild including the first Municipal Opera at Lake Springfield prior to moving to Boston.  He was affiliated with the Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital in Boston for many years before returning to Springfield in 2003.  Dan was a committed volunteer and historical advocate for the Sangamon County and Illinois Historical Societies.  He maintained his strong Republican stance and was a supporter of Springfield revitalization.  Photography, floral and opera were his passions.  He was never without his camera. 

He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Roger and Robert Buck and their spouses; sisters, Eva M. Hiler, Eleanor Espenschied, Virginia Davis, Wilma MacDonald, Thelma Davenport, Dorothy Adams and their spouses.

He is survived by nieces, nephews, great-nieces and nephews; friends, Bill and Marcie Irvine, William Furry and John Paul.

Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the funeral service at 12:00 noon on Thursday, December 14, 2017 at Ellinger-Kunz & Park Funeral Home with Reverend Gary Winkleman officiating.  Burial will follow at Oak Ridge Cemetery. Inter-Veterans Burial Detail will conduct military honors.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Sangamon County Historical Society.

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