Daniel James Compton

Daniel James Compton passed away on August 13, 2025, in St. Clair, Missouri. He was born on October 15, 1945, in Chicago, Illinois, to George and Eileen Compton, the first of more than 50 Compton grandchildren. He and his three siblings grew up in the Chicago Lawn neighborhood near Marquette Park, where the bustling Compton home was known to many for its warm hospitality and abundant laughter.

Dan exhibited natural abilities in swimming, gymnastics, band (trombone), and all things mechanical. He attended Leo Catholic High School, then earned degrees from St. Joseph's College in Rensselaer, Indiana, and from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.

For many years, Dan represented the Allen-Bradley Company to industrial clients. His work took him and his growing family to Milwaukee, Wisconsin; Knoxville, Tennessee; Birmingham, Alabama; and finally to Charlotte, North Carolina, where he concluded his working life as a popular driver for UPS. After retiring, Dan and his wife, Bev, joined their daughter in the St. Louis area, where Dan sought to relax while contending with the creeping complications of Parkinson's disease.

Dan was a loving and dedicated family man. He supported his two children through school, music lessons, swimming, soccer (including as coach), camps, horseback riding lessons, and many more activities and adventures.

Dan is fondly remembered by family and friends for his sense of humor, his bravery, his curiosity, his generosity, his honesty, his loyalty, his positivity, his reliability, his thoughtfulness, his impressive strength and stature, and his amiable nature. He was a gifted singer and a delightfully talented whistler. He always had a twinkle in his eye and was quick to share a smile.

Dan is survived by his beloved wife of 57 years, Beverly (daughter of Russell and Bennie Hilgert of Grant Park); his sister, Lynn Williams; his brother, Bill Compton; his son, Jeffrey Compton; his daughter, Sheila Ellebracht; his two grandchildren, Grant and Stefania; and many cousins, nieces, and nephews. He was preceded in death by his dear sister, Peggy Hoover.

Donations in Dan's memory may be made to The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research.