Daniel Michael Trunk, 78, of Gainesville, Florida passed away peacefully on October 10, 2016, surrounded by family and friends. The eldest of three brothers, Dan was born July 23, 1938, in Chicago, Illinois to Earl and Eileen McBride Trunk.
Dan graduated from Proviso High School, Maywood, Illinois, in 1956 and married Joyce Batterman in 1959. He served six years in the Air National Guard. Dan became a computer programmer as the industry was just beginning, eventually becoming senior vice president and managing director of an international computer software company. His career moved him and his family to Long Island, England and New Jersey. While in England he first became interested in Old English Sheepdogs. Back in the U.S., he established Shaggyshire Kennels and bred and showed champion sheepdogs. Upon retirement he and Joyce moved to Gainesville and Dan became involved in the community: acting in local theater; flying radio controlled airplanes with the Flying Gators; and volunteering with Catholic Charities and The Phillips Center for the Performing Arts. Dan was a lifelong student of Shakespeare and a storyteller extraordinare in his own right. His signature is engraved on the Supporting Wall at Shakespeare’s Globe theater in London. Dan was a devout Catholic. He was an active member of St. Augustine Church in Gainesville where he was a lector, a Eucharistic minister, a member of the Knights of Columbus and, with his wife, worked with the ministry which prepared engaged couples for the sacrament of marriage. He is predeceased by his parents and his brother, Gerald. He is survived by his loving wife of 57 years, Joyce Lynn Trunk; their children, Daniel Michael Trunk, Jr. (Peggy DeCarlo), Diane Trunk (Ed Marsh) and Denise (John) Krigbaum; their grandchildren, Ruby Lynch, Addison Marsh and Clara Krigbaum; and his brother Patrick (Kathy) Trunk and brother-by-choice, Robert Lindstrom. A mass of Christian burial will be celebrated on October 18th at 12 noon at St. Augustine Church and Catholic Center, 1738 W. University Ave., Gainesville. St. Augustine Church does not have a parking lot. However, ample parking is available at the nearby First Lutheran Church, 1801 NW 5th Avenue, and at the big, east side lot of the United Church of Gainesville, 1624 NW 5th Avenue. Please allow extra time to park and walk to the service. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to St. Augustine Church and Catholic Center or Catholic Charities of Gainesville.
