Donald E. Daily

December 15, 2014

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Donald Elmer Daily 80, of Frankfort, died December 15, 2014 at his home.  Born September 5, 1934 in Frankfort, Ind. to Earl H. & Girlene (Best) Daily. His marriage was to Margaret Walker Daily. They divorced in 2011. Mr. Daily was a 1952 graduate of Frankfort High School. He worked for the Norfolk Southern Railroad for 43 years, retiring in 1996. His memberships include, Elks Lodge, where he was Past Exalted Ruler, National Railroad Historical Society and was Vice President on the Board there and was a member of the Nickel Plate Railroad Society.

Visitation and Services

Visitation will be 4-7 p.m. Thursday, December 18, 2014 at Goodwin Funeral Home. Service will be 10:30 a.m. Friday, December 19th at the funeral home. Burial will be in Green Lawn Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made to the Indiana Transportation Museum in Noblesville.

Survived by:

3 Daughters: Donna (David) Myers of Frankfort, Tammy Janz of Frankfort, Virginia “Jenny” (John) Snodgrass of Pickard, 5 Grandchildren and 5 Great Grandchildren.

Preceded by:

by a sister, Marian Howland.

Condolences

21 Condolences for “Donald E. Daily”

  1. Jeff Leaman December 16, 2014 at 2:02 pm

    Don,

    You have your orders, Clearance. Timetable & Special Instructions, Book of Rules, rest as prescribed by law, brake test completed,

    HIGHBALL!!!

  2. Peter Shepherd December 16, 2014 at 2:57 pm

    Another sad loss for the Nickel Plate family. Don was truly dedicated to the NKP and keeping its heritage alive for those who never knew the road. I knew Don for many years and always welcomed his articles and contributions to the Society magazine. He brought to life many of the workings of the company that he experienced first-hand. The very last magazine I prepared contained an article Don wrote concerning how his railroad career almost ended before it began. We are all richer because it didn’t. Condolences to his family — we are all deeply in his debt.

  3. Aunt Kay December 16, 2014 at 3:21 pm

    Donna, Tammy, and Jenny. Few things are tougher than losing parents. They’re both at peace now. Hope you find peace as well, knowing that.

  4. John Brill December 16, 2014 at 4:55 pm

    Don, a great guy. Loved to show kids about the locomotive.
    He’ll be missed.

  5. Nancy J Emans December 16, 2014 at 5:59 pm

    My dad, Edwin Emans, and Don were great railroad, Elks, neighborhood friends. I am so sorry to hear he has passed. I am sure him & my Dad are visiting like they used to. I have some pictures of the four of them together when they were younger & the pictures bring a smile to my face. Again I am sorry for his daughters loss.

  6. Hugh R. Harris December 16, 2014 at 6:19 pm

    Our deepest sympathy goes to Don’s family. He will be missed by all who knew him. As the President of the Hoosierland Chapter of the National Railway Historical Society, I wish to offer the condolences of all our members. Don has shared his knowledge and experiences of railroad operations with our members on many occasions.
    May he truly rest in peace.

  7. Kimberly Shoemaker December 16, 2014 at 10:16 pm

    Jenny, Tammy, and Donna, I’m so sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you during this time. May God grant you peace and comfort during this time of mourning.

  8. Chris Burger December 16, 2014 at 10:34 pm

    NKP’s “Fast Freight Service” has delivered Don to his destination. His love of the railroad and railroading was an inspiration to all of us who shared it.

  9. Steve Greeno December 16, 2014 at 11:46 pm

    It was a real pleasure to have been able to know Don these past 6 years.
    He will be missed.

  10. Mitch Mitchell December 17, 2014 at 12:23 am

    No one can prepare you for a loss; it comes like a swift wind. But take comfort in knowing that he is now resting in the arms of our Lord. My deepest condolences to you and your family.

    Mitch

  11. Dick and Mary Ann McKinsey December 17, 2014 at 7:07 am

    Daughters and Family of Don,
    You’re thought of with sympathy at this sad time.

  12. John F. Cizmar December 17, 2014 at 10:07 am

    I met Don at a NKPHTS convention in Bellevue. He shared his enthusiasm for railroads and the NKP with me, a complete stranger.

  13. Jennifer Carpenter December 17, 2014 at 8:12 pm

    The loss of a parent is never easy. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
    Jennifer Carpenter (Frankfort Animal Hospital)

  14. Hugh R. Harris December 18, 2014 at 11:20 am

    On behalf of all the members of the Hoosierland Chapter, National Railway Historical Society I extend to Don’s family our deepest sympathy and condolences. Don served with us as Vice President of the Chapter for several years, he presented several talks on Railroad Operations to the Chapter and has been an active and very valued member. He also served as a Counselor at RailCamp for High School Seniors at the Steamtown National Historic Park. We will miss his many contributions.
    May his fire always be clean and his stack gray!
    Hugh R. Harris,
    President, Hoosierland Chapter, NRHS.

  15. Chris Lesley December 18, 2014 at 1:19 pm

    To Don’s family, I met Don as part of our efforts to preserve the roundhouse. He was always entertaining with his railroad stories. I showed him some of my Dad’s inspection logbooks. He knew exactly what those notes meant and taught me a great deal. My thoughts are with you at this difficult time during the holiday season.

  16. Mary Dysinger December 19, 2014 at 9:41 am

    Donna and family, I am so sorry for your loss. I know your pain and God will give you all the comfort during this time of heart break. Please know you are in my prayers each day, remember all the wonderful memories.

  17. George Greene December 19, 2014 at 11:45 am

    So long to a friend, fellow modeler and Nickel Plater. His knowledge of the Nickel Plate and his stories of his work will be sorely missed by the Historical Society and his friends.

    God Speed and have a good trip.

  18. Phyllis Bouldin December 19, 2014 at 4:08 pm

    Sorry to hear of the loss to your family. As a neighbor many years ago I did not get to know him but later got to meet him and knew we shouldn’t have been so busy and our families could have been friends.

  19. Bill Fisher December 19, 2014 at 4:35 pm

    My condolences to all of Don’s immediate family. I’m glad I got to know Don in the later part of our lives, through the Nickel Plate Railroad Historical & Technical Society. He always gave freely of the special knowledge he had of railroad operations. He was lucky enough to have a job doing something that he gladly would have paid to do, in other circumstances. I remember at one NKPHTS banquet, he and his then wife showed me a picture of a group of railroad men that included Don, taken back in the ’50’s or early ’60’s. All of the guys wore formal, serious, business-like, expressions; except Don, whose big grin showed how much fun he was having. If we get what we deserve when we die, Don’s still having a high-balling blast.

  20. Steve Beavers January 1, 2015 at 11:19 am

    Don was one of those rare people that gave so much more than he ever asked for. To read his stories in the Nickel Plate magazine was to be transported back in time. He took the time to answer questions, share pictures and just really had a passion for railroading and life. He will be greatly missed by all who were lucky enough to meet him. May God bless Don and his family.

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