John William Nail Jr.

   John William Nail Jr, 81 of Oakwood, was called home to be with his Heavenly Father on Wednesday, July 24, 2024, with his daughter Michelle by his side.

   John was born August 20, 1942 at home in Danville to John William Nail Sr. and Bertha (Marrow) Nail. He attended Danville grade schools and graduated from Danville High School in 1960. He married the love of his life, Shirley Ann Hankins on August 29, 1964. They have two daughters: Billie Jo (Davy) Ellis and Michelle (Alan) Houmes; four grandchildren: Austi (Tyler) Craft; Atlanta (Madison) Houmes, Makyah Houmes, Brandon (Lacey) Zaayer; and seven great-grandchildren: Ledger, Remy, Archer, Ruger, Daylin, Denim, and Dottie. He also leaves behind numerous nieces and nephews, including his nephew Herbie whom he was very close to. He also remained close to his brothers-in-law: Larry (Robin) Sanders and Bill Bartlett. John was preceded in death by his parents, his loving wife, his three sisters: Pat, Norma, and Susie, and his brother-in-law: Buddy Sanders.

   John’s dad taught him at an early age to hunt, trap, fish, bush line, and cut down trees. John spent six years (from Nov 5, 1963 to Nov 4, 1969) in the Illinois National Guard, Troop B, 1st Squadron of the 194th Calvary. His specialty was as a Tank Gunner, and he received his Marksman Ship Badge in Pistol Calvary 45. John continued his love for hunting deer, squirrel and mushrooms, as well as fishing, when he purchased his Indiana Farm in 1993. He spent numerous days at the farm with family and friends. He thought the world of his friend and farmer Doug Davenport.

   John was a machinist for many years, and some would say he was the best around. Being a machinist helped in building his loving wife the house of her dreams; an A-frame that he began in 1971. He met many good friends through his time at work.

   John especially liked old Willy’s jeeps, corvettes, and his daughter Michelle’s dog Kyenne, who passed away in 2004. One of John’s greatest accomplishments was being baptized on Sunday, April 1, 2018. His daughter Michelle talked both John and her husband Alan into skydiving on September 23, 1995. It is something none of them will ever forget. He looked forward to attending Mansfield Covered Bridge with his daughter Michelle and his grandchildren Austi, Atlanta, and Makyah every October. His favorite thing was to get something to eat, walk down by the river, and skip rocks with the kids. He did this up until he couldn’t anymore.

   John was a family man and a friend to everyone. Not only was he close to his father, who taught him everything he knew, but he was also a Momma’s Boy. Each day on the way to work, John would stop and have a bowl of Raisin Bran with her. He did this until she passed away. His sister Norma “Possum” Brinkley was one of his best friends, and the two had a close relationship until her passing.  John never met a stranger; he would talk to anyone, and enjoyed getting them to crack a smile. John and Shirley also spent many years playing cards and taking bus trips to casinos with their friends.

   Visitation will be from 4-7pm CST on Wednesday, July 31st at Kruger Funeral Home, 10 E. Williams Street in Danville. Funeral Services will be on Thursday, August 1st at 9:30am CST at Kruger Funeral Home with Jay Sorrell officiating. Following services he will be laid to rest beside his wife Shirley in Coal Creek Cemetery. 

      Messages and memories may be left on our website at www.KrugerCoanPape.com, or on the Kruger Funeral Home Facebook page.

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