Dan Shilling, 58, of Dallas, died Tuesday, April 28, 2009 at his residence. Memorial services will be 3PM Saturday, May 2nd at Lake Shore Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor Craig Godby officiating. Burial of ashes will be at a later date in the family plot at Mt. Antioch Cemetery in Mt. Calm, TX. Thoughts and memories may be shared in the online Guest Book at www.LakeShoreFuneralHome.com.
Dan was born April 2, 1951 in rural McLennan County. He was raised and educated in the Waco area. He spent a lifetime in the Real Estate business, the last 14 years being in Dallas and was associated with Ebby Halliday Realtors at the time of his death.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Benard and Allene (Spruiell) Shilling.
He is survived by three brothers, Benny Shilling, Jimmy Shilling and Ed Shilling; one aunt, Lola Fay Hall; several nieces, nephews, cousins and a multitude of friends.
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I only had the priveledge of meeting Dan quite recently on Easter to share a meal with him but he was the type person it only took that one time to endear him to our hearts. We were looking forward to seeing more of him and knowing him better. I have memories to keep in my heart of the kind, loving person we met briefly but will carry in our hearts forever now. God be with you ,Dan, you will be missed.
Our world is a bit more dim with the passing of Dan. Hilarious, brutally honest and true to his word. Not many like him. I’m very thankful for the MANY wonderful times we shared. Gut-wrenching laughter, incredible meals and stories of our childhood. THANK YOU DAN!!!
So sorry to hear of Dan’s passing. I knew him from the Waco years and then reconnected here in Dallas. We both served on the board of White Rock Friends during the latter 90’s. Since then it’s been mostly just Christmas cards — but I still considered him a good friend and will miss him.
MY SINCEREST THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS ARE WITH ALL OF YOU IN THE SHILLING FAMILY..DAN WORKED FOR ME FOR 6 YEARS..WE ARE BOTH ‘ARIES’..COULD BE STRONG..AND SWEET IN THE SAME MOMENT..AND WE LAUGHED AT EACH OTHER AT LEAST 10 TIMES DAILY..HE WAS A GRAND SPIRIT IN MY LIFE..AND HE LOVED MY DOG ‘MERLIN’..AND TREATED HIM AS IF HIS OWN..WHEN HE LEFT..HE LEFT WITH SUCH GRACE, RESPECT AND DIGNITY..AND WE REMAINED FRIENDS ALL THIS TIME..HE SHARED HIS LOVE WITH ME UPON MY MOTHERS DEATH AS WELL AS MY DOG, MERLIN..I AM CRYING AS I WRITE THIS..AND WANT YOU TO KNOW WE HAVE LOST A GREAT SOUL IN OUR WORLD..BUT KNOW HIS SPECIAL SOUL WILL CONTINUE IN OUR GREAT HEAVEN ABOVE…AND HE WILL BE HEALTHY AND HAPPY AND LOOK UPON US AND SMILE..WE WILL SEE HIM IN THE CLOUDS SO WE MUST LOOK..AS HE WILL PEAK THRU. BLESS YOU..AND KNOW YOU ARE IN MY PRAYERS.
CAROLYN SHAMIS
I’m regretful I did not reconnect with Danny since my return to Dallas. Then, I was late in discovering his death. I hope the remaining family gets record of my note and my sympathy for the loss of your brother. I connect to Danny from Waco back in the early 80s and then we both ended up in Dallas where I reconnected at church (Whiterock). My sister just 54 died in her sleep nearly 2 years ago, and April 2, I would’ve died too with arteries 95% blocked, but the doctor saved me. Danny was a wonderful friend and much fun to be with. It is so frequently said, but our loss is the gain of Heaven. There are so many I look forward to being reunited with. Any family feel free to email me at sawznhamrs@sbcglobal.net. I do have at least one good ol’ picture of him from back in the 80s.
My prayers go out to Dan’s family! Dan was one of the first people I met when I moved to Dallas. He was funny, intelligent, and always sincere. You didn’t have to see Dan daily for him to make you feel welcome or like a life long friend! I will never forget sitting in Dan’s living room and joking about Jimmy Caldwell. I am sure that Dan has already found Jimmy in heaven and started in on him! Thoughts and prayers to all of his family and friends! Missed but not forgotten.
Danny always warmed my heart with his funny storytelling. He could make your sides hurt from laughing so much! I love my cousin, and I will never forget the impression he left on my heart. To Ed, Benny and Jimmy – I love you very much!
What a joy it has been to be one of Dan’s friends. Our travels, meals, visits and activities have created a lifetime of wonderful memories. When he first askedme to help him with an estate sale 20+ years ago I never dreamed that I woud be driving his U-haul to Dallas someday and taking over the reins for him in Waco. You thought me well dear friend and what you have left behind is not engraved on stone but engraved on the hearts of everyone you touched.
I am so saddened by the loss of such an incredible man!
Dan was such a true friend and was so generous in his love for all of his "family" of close friends.
Ever eager to have us over for a special Holiday meal full of laughter and great food, one always left Dan’s home feeling "recharged" and ready for more of life’s great adventures.
He was such a staunch supporter of our new Lone Star Wind Orchestra and so many other causes he cared deeply for.
Dan will be so painfully missed.
To all the Shilling families:
We express our sympathies and thank you all for being there for us when we lost our Dan.
You all are wonderful people and we send our condolences.
Dusty, Shelley, Krystal
I can’t imagine what my life will be like without Dan; however, his love is stamped permanently in my heart. The stories, the food, and those Dan "mannerisms." Who is going to be our comic relief?
We have lost a jewel of a person. Dan always brightened and enlivened the world in which we live, and he will be greatly missed. My condolences to his countless friends and to his family.
Dear Shilling Family,
We met Dan through our "Wednesday night dinner group". His smile, laughter, and "quick quips" will always be remembered. You can be sure that if Dan was around, he would also add a sparkle & laugh to the room. The last thing he asked Wayne about me was, "Does he (Gary) have an opinon about everything?" Well I probably do, and my opinion of Dan is that there will never be another person as funny, trustworthy, and dependable as he. We will miss him dearly, but he will continue to live through all of our memories.
Dan, your wit, smile, and love of life will be missed at Casa and among your friends.
Love and HUGS to your loved ones….
To know Dan was to love him. He’s no longer able to tell us the stories we all loved to hear, but through those stories, tall tales, and life experiences he will live forever.
We’ve lost a true friend and mentor and he will be missed more than I think even he could have realized.
If you don’t think you’re better person for having known Dan, you weren’t paying attention.
I remember when I was 3, being nosy and listening your conversations. You always had the best family gossip and made me the best macarroni and cheese! Give my dad (Don) and uncle WT a big hug and some laughs when you see them! My thoughts are with the family and your friends.
Dear Shilling Family,
I offer you my thoughts and heart-felt prayers in your time of sorry.
Dan and I were very good friends and we really enjoyed our times together… we could always find something to laugh about. I’ll never forget his sparkling blue eyes, quick wit and sweet southern drawl.
We sold real estate together in Dallas for many years – so we always had plenty to talk about – He was a highly respected and gifted professional in Dallas.
Dan has always been like extended family to me and my life is surely richer for having known him… I will look forward to seeing him again someday, but until then, I will miss my friend…
…Goodbye to a Beautiful and Gracious man.
With deepest sympathy I pass on my condolences to all of Dan’s loved ones. A friend with whom I always enjoyed visiting and sharing laughs, he will be exorbitantly missed.
May he rest in Peace!
We are very sorry to hear of the loss of Danny. We wish to express our condolences to the Shilling family in this time of sorrow.
May God bless and comfort you.
The Ramsey Family
WE ARE TRULY SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS. OUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS ARE WITH YOU ALL.IF THERE IS ANYTHING WE CAN DO, PLEASE LET US KNOW..MAY THE GOOD LORD BE WITH YOU AND YOUR FAMILY THROUGH THIS TIME..
Dan was such a sweet gentle soul who lit up our lives. He could tell stories that would make us laugh every time we repeated his stories.
Dan was the best of us, but most of all he was our beloved friend. You will be greatly missed. Rest well, sweet Dan.
To Dan’s family, we loved him dearly and will miss him more than you will ever know. He was our "glue", and he held us deep in his heart everyday. We are so glad that he was in our lives, and we have so many memories to hold on to and keep him alive in our hearts! You are truly a lucky family to have had him for so many years. Our sadness will make us stronger, because of him! We are so very sorry for your loss. Our deepest sympathy to your entire family! He was one of a kind!
Dan and I went to school together at Elm Mott Elementary in the late 1950’s; we were very good friends. In the 60’s our family moved away to California, but I moved back to Waco in 1992, and I got in touch with Dan again. I didn’t see much of him after he moved to Dallas 14 years ago, but I last saw him at someone else’s funeral in Waco in the early 2000’s. It will be sad attending his own funeral. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends.
Amanda, Mom told us about your uncle. We will be praying for you. We love you very much. Bubba and Sissy
On behalf of Danny`s cousin, the late Don Bradburry, we extend our heartfelt condolences to the Shilling family. I actually thought of Danny yesterday and a memory my Dad had shared with me, before I knew of his passing.
He will be dearly missed, and I had spoke with Danny with his neice Stacy on the phone a while back, and will never forget his infectious laugh.
God Bless you all during this difficult time.
Missy McCartney Dallas TX
Lana Bradburry West TX
Jackie Bradburry College St. TX
Dan was a cool person we only met him once
Dan will be greatly missed. I always have a smile when I think of him, or hear his name, arguably the nicest and most humorous man I have known. He always made sure to say hello, and bring a smile if I were ever in the same room. God bless you Dan, I will miss you very much.
It was a pleasure to know Dan, his sweet smile and friendship at the Ebby’s In-Town office will always be remembered.
I had only begun to know Dan. I wish I’d had longer. Dan was always welcoming and kind to me and was a joy to be around. I will miss him. My prayers are with friends and family. Pam Halsell
Benny and family,
We are so sorry to hear of your brother’s passing. Please know that you and your family will be in our thoughts and prayers. If there is anything we can do feel free to let us know.
Our Sympathy,
Paul& Gwen Bartsch and everyone at P2 Emulsions
My heart and prayers go out to the entire Shilling family. Dan was such an incredible man..probably the only one that could have me in stitches of laughter in just a matter of seconds from hearing his voice, the stories he would tell, only Dan… He truly has touched the lives of so many people and will be greatly missed. What a priviledge it has been knowing him and having him as a part of my life. Surely one of a kind and will be painfully missed by all. I love my "Auntie Dan"….
Dear Family of Dan-
He was a wonderful man full of life. There is not a person that he met that was not touched by his humor. He loved telling stories and making us all laugh. That was his gift that we all will remember. Dan will be missed. In his memory-
Rob and Calvin
I feel that Dan would have wanted us to continue to celebrate life as much as he did
Dan was so genuine and a truly good person. We miss his great stories and wonderful personality. He was so special to us!
Danny was a good man and will Be missed by all who knew him.
My thought and Prayers are with his loved ones during this time of great sorrow.
We feel so blessed that we had the privilege to be included in Dan’s circle of friends. Dan touched our lives deeply and we will cherish and honor his memory. We are truly better people for knowing Dan Shilling. Our prayers are with all of Dan’s family and friends.
MMy last conversation with Dan was about food! We were planning to go to Lubys for liver and onions cause Dan and I agreed they have the best! Then we were going to make Salmon croquettes because we love those too. He was also telling me about his book and he was very excited about getting it published. I do hope the family will pursue this for him. Our time with Dan was short but our lives were enriched by the time we had. He was one of a kind. Dan we are already missing you and will keep you in our hearts.
Although I only knew Dan for a relatively short time, I’m enriched to have spent any time with him at all. His contagious laugh and down home, country-esque wit had me smiling and chuckling whenever we were together. I looked forward to his re-telling of stories that were really fit for a novel or a movie. Had he lived longer, I suspect he would have eventually put some of his antics down on paper. I hope his friends will remember his tales and continue to share them with others. I think Dan would like that.
I wish I’d had the opportunity to know him better but I’m thankful I got to share a small part of him for a little while. It’s not often we meet people who are so genuine and caring and uncompromisingly loyal. I feel a little cheated to have spent so little time with him and I’m envious of his friends and family who have enjoyed living in the glow of his bright inner light for so many years.
I’ll miss you, Dan, and the times I had hoped we would spend together. I sincerely hope you are at peace.
It is hard for words to describe how much Dan will be missed. He brought out enough laughter in a single moment to last a lifetime. He lived life to its fullest up until his very last days serving as an example for each of us to live by. It is true that he is leaving a big void in each our lives and I too am having a hard time imaging what life will be like without him. None-the-less, I am comforted knowing that his spirit will continue to live on in each of us, serving as the glue that will always keep us together. Thank you Dan for the many cherished moments.