Dan Gill

Daniel Dean Gill, beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend, passed away peacefully on Thursday, August 20, 2026, at the age of 87.

Dan was born on September 9, 1938, in Crown Point, Indiana, to the late William and Alice Gill. Growing up alongside his late brothers, Lowell and Wesley, and his sister, Linda, Dan was a proud 1956 graduate of Crown Point High School. An exceptional athlete, he went on to attend Texas Christian University, where he took the field for the TCU Horned Frogs—a team he passionately cheered on for the rest of his life.

On July 21, 1962, Dan married his sweetheart and the love of his life, Merle Bond. Together, they built a beautiful life in Crown Point for nearly four decades, raising their three children and becoming cornerstones of their community. Dan dedicated 40 years of service to the chemistry lab at Midwest Steel (National Steel), retiring in 2000. Throughout those years in Indiana, he also gave back tirelessly as the longtime Scoutmaster of Boy Scout Troop 48 and as a respected official for local baseball, basketball, and football leagues.

In 2001, Dan and Merle began a vibrant new chapter of retirement in Mountain City, Tennessee. A man of quiet action and deep generosity, Dan quickly immersed himself in service to his new home. He became a cherished fixture at Heritage Hall Theater, serving for many years as House Manager, and gave freely of his time driving countless miles to assist neighbors through the My Ride program. Dan was a faithful member of Mountain City Presbyterian Church and active in the local Newcomers Club, where he and Merle cultivated a wide, deeply meaningful circle of treasured friendships. Whether traveling to new places, gathering for fellowship, or simply enjoying the peaceful beauty of the Tennessee mountains, Dan lived his retirement years to the absolute fullest alongside the friends and neighbors he held so dear.

Above all his accomplishments, Dan’s greatest pride was his family. He was a devoted husband of 64 years to Merle, an inspiring father, and a beloved grandfather whose presence brought steady warmth, wisdom, and joy to every family gathering.

Dan is survived by his beloved wife, Merle Gill; his three children, Sandy (Steve) Preston, Dan (Kristin) Gill, and Beth (Bob) Telipsky; his seven cherished grandchildren, Ashley, Tyler, Joshua, Marisa, Kaleigh, Samantha, and Alex; his sister, Linda Potter; many nieces and nephews, and countless lifelong friends who were blessed by his humor, integrity, and warmth. He was preceded in death by his parents and his brothers, Lowell and Wesley Gill.

A celebration of Dan’s life will be held at 2:00 pm on Saturday, September 5, 2026, at Mountain City Presbyterian Church, with visitation beginning at 1:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Dan's honor to the following:

Johnson County Senior Center

128 College Street

Mountain City, TN 37683

OR

Boy Scouts of America

(Make check payable to: Butler Scout Troop 6)

Mail to: Bill Hart

268 Moreland Drive

Buttler, TN 37649

The family of Dan Gill has entrusted his services to Mountain City Funeral Home, 224 S. Church Street, Mountain City, Tennessee, 37683.