McGillin, Dana J.

Dana J. McGillin, 52, of North Liberty, died unexpectedly of natural causes Wednesday morning, June 5, 2013, at his home. A celebration of Dana's life will be 2 p.m. Saturday at Lensing Funeral Service, 605 Kirkwood Ave., in Iowa City. The family will greet friends from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at the funeral home. Private burial will be at St. Peter's Cemetery in Cosgrove.

Instead of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Dana J. McGillin Memorial Fund.

Dana was born July 7, 1960, in Iowa City, the son of Thomas and Dolores (Rourke) McGillin. Growing up in Cosgrove, Dana attended Clear Creek Amana Schools and graduated from Regina High School in 1978. He received degrees in both psychology and sociology from the University of Iowa. He was instrumental in the wholesale and retail operations of Sweets N' Treats Candy Stores for many years. He later worked in public affairs for Humanities Iowa with the University of Iowa/State of Iowa. Most recently, Dana worked for Thomas L. Cardella and Associates.

Dana was introduced as a volunteer to the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Southeast Iowa in 1993 which immediately became his passion. He was involved in both planning and granting wishes to children with life-threatening diseases and immersed himself with both the Wish-children and their families. He was honored in 2007 by the Make-A-Wish Foundation with the Tommy Austin award.

He is survived by his siblings, Patty McGillin, Barb McGillin, Nancy O'Brien, Mick McGillin and Mike (Joan Ricks) McGillin; nephews, Luke (Rebecca) Schnoebelen, Colin (Molly) O'Brien, Macklin (Courtney Hageman) O'Brien, Shamis and Liam McGillin; and great-nieces, Claire and Ella Schnoebelen.

Family was everything to Dana, especially important was his love for his cousins and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his father in 1978 and his mother in May of this year.

Online condolences can be sent to the family at www.lensingfuneral.com.

Published June 7, 2013 in The Gazette