Daniel J. Gillespie

Daniel J. Gillespie, age 46, died April 5, 2006, as the result of an auto accident. He was born January 12, 1960, in LaCrosse, WI, to Patrick and Shirley (Arneson) Gillespie. He was a graduate of Desoto High School where he excelled in athletics at football, baseball, and basketball, leading the Desoto basketball team to a conference championship in 1978 and the Desoto Pirate football team as quarterback to an undefeated season. He earned first team all conference honors in both sports. He attended college at the University of Wisconsin-Stout and later graduated from the University of Wisconsin-LaCrosse with a bachelors degree in Business Administration. He lived for several years in the Madison, Wisconsin area working as a salesman in the auto industry. Dan enjoyed music and helped form a rock band in Madison known as the Falcon Eddies. The Falcon Eddies played for several years, enjoying a great local following. Daniel later returned to the Genoa, WI area and married Michelle DeFlorian in 1992. Together, they had three children; Maggie, Alec, and Cassidy. Dan worked as an insurance agent at J.C. Gillespie Insurance Agency, a business started by his grandfather, J.C. Gillespie, which he later purchased from his brothers, Tim and Mike Gillespie. Among his many passions (family, music, softball), Dan enjoyed coaching basketball above all else. He served as either head coach or assistant coach at Desoto High School for over 16 years. He loved working with the young athletes and touched many lives. His players lives touched his. Many of the athletes Dan coached returned every Saturday for his open gym program. He served on the Desoto School Board for several years before resigning to pursue his passion of coaching basketball. Daniel is survived by his wife, Michelle, one son, Alec, 9, and two daughters, Maggie, 13, and Cassidy 6, all at home. He is also survived by his mother, Shirley Gillespie of LaCrosse; one sister, Jayne (Richard) Rifenberg of LaCrosse; four brothers, Michael (Laurie) Gillespie of Holmen; John (Lori) Gillespie of Gays Mills; Timothy (Marjorie) Gillespie of Desoto; and Joseph (Sandra) Gillespie of Ferryville. He is also survived by his father-in-law, Bill DeFlorian of Genoa; his mother-in-law, Gloria DeFlorian of French Island; four brothers-in-law; Bob DeFlorian of Stoddard; Bill DeFlorian of LaCrosse; Mike (Renee) DeFlorian of LaCrosse; Travis DeFlorian of LaCrosse; and two sisters-in-law, Corina and fianc Jon Duerwachter of Stoddard; and Denise (Eric) Thompson of Ferryville. Daniel is furthermore survived by 22 nieces and nephews, 5 great nieces and nephews, and 4 spouses on the Gillespie side of the family. Daniel was preceded in death by his father, Patrick Gillespie, and one niece, Kaitlin Gillespie. Dan had an incredible love for life and enjoyed every minute with his family and friends. God bless forever his memory. "And you, my father, there on the sad height, Curse, bless, me now with your fierce tears, I pray. Do not go gentle into that good night. Rage, rage against the dying of the light". By Dylan Thomas A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday, April 10, 2006 at 10:30 a.m. at the St. Charles Catholic Church in Genoa. Father Robert J. Scheckel will celebrate the Mass with burial in the St. Charles cemetery. Friends may call on Sunday afternoon from 2-5 p.m. or on Monday from 9:00 a.m. until leaving for the church at 9:45 a.m. at the Vosseteig Larson Funeral Home at 123 West Decker St. in Viroqua. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred The Vosseteig-Larson Funeral Homes of Viroqua and Desoto are serving the family.