Daniel Joseph “D.J.” McLaughlin, age 87, of 807 Eagle Trace, Quincy, died on Monday, December 3, 2012 in his home. Dan was born on September 22, 1925 in Dodgeville, IA, a son of Daniel A. and Marie (Fitzgerald) McLaughlin. He married Maxine L. Brandes on September 6, 1947 in Burlington, IA and she preceded him in death December 5, 1982. He married JoAnn D. Paley on March 2, 1992 in Sanibel, FL and she survives.

He was a graduate of Sperry High School in Sperry, IA. He served in the U.S. Coast Guard during World War II from September 21, 1943 to April 25, 1946.
Dan began working in Burlington, IA for the Logamarcino-Grupe Co. in 1948 working in several different warehouse and managerial positions. He was transferred to Quincy in December of 1961 to replace the retiring J.P. Clinton as manager of the Quincy operation. Logamarcino-Grupe Co. sold-out in 1964, and Dan moved to Merchant’s Wholesale, Inc. acquiring full ownership of the company in 1970. In 1978, Merchants Wholesale built a new headquarters and warehouse on East Broadway, now home to Ashley Furniture. He was President of Merchants Wholesale, Inc. and of Merchants Vending Co., Inc.

Dan was a longtime member of the Church of St. Peter, Quincy Country Club, and the Knights of Columbus. He was a member of the Illinois Merchants Association, he was Past President Executive Management Division of the Nat’l Association of Tobacco and Candy Distributors and Past President of the Illinois Association of Tobacco and Candy Distributors. He was also a member of the National Association of Catalog Showrooms.

He had served on many boards, including the Parochial Secondary Education Foundation, now known as QND Development, and was chairman of the ad hoc committee for the consolidation of Notre Dame High School and Catholic Boys High School, now Quincy Notre Dame. Daniel served on the St. Mary Hospital, Executive Committee. He served on the Board and Executive Committees of the Broadway National Bank, and First Midwest Bank which is now First Banker’s Trust. Dan resigned all board positions when he retired in 1986.

Throughout his life, Dan was an avid hunter and fisherman and he held many fond memories of trips with friends to Hale, Missouri, Nebraska and Canada to pursue these hobbies. He was a longtime supporter of Ducks Unlimited. Dan was an enthusiastic traveler, always ready to experience a new place in the States or abroad. Dan also enjoyed many years of golf, tennis, gin rummy and monthly poker games, as well as his infamous weekly lunches with the “Romeo’s”.

In addition to his wife, JoAnn, survivors include his four children, Mary Kathryn McLaughlin of Quincy, Daniel T. McLaughlin of Quincy; Michael P. McLaughlin of Shawnee, KS; and Mrs. Michael (Michelle) Mitts of Quincy; Nine Grandchildren: Emily, Danielle and Brice McLaughlin; Jacob and Alexa McLaughlin; Alison, James, Daniel and Thomas Mitts; a great grandaughter, Aubriana McLaughlin; and four sisters, Mrs. Lee (Lorraine) Hackett of Lenexa, KS; Mrs. James (Joan) Riley of Mansfield, TX Mrs. Harold (Rosemary) Abel and Mrs. Thomas (Linda) Clayton all of Burlington, IA and two brothers, Eugene McLaughlin and his wife Chris of Des Moines, IA; Patrick McLaughlin and his wife Elsie of Burlington, IA. Numerous nieces, nephews and cousins also survive.
Daniel was preceded in death by his parents, his first wife Maxine, and his sister, Rita Smith.

Dan’s family expresses their deep gratitude for the care he received from Hospice this past week, and to his personal caregiver, Leslie Hugenberg for her kindness and compassion.

Funeral services will be held Thursday, December 6, 2012 at 9:30 a.m. in the Duker & Haugh Funeral Home and at 10:00 a.m. in the Church of St. Peter by the Rev. Roy Bauer. Interment will be in the Quincy Memorial Park Mausoleum. Visitation will be Wednesday from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. AT THE CHURCH OF ST. PETER. Memorials are suggested to Quincy Notre Dame High School or to the Church of St. Peter. www.dukerandhaugh.com