Daniel Daniel Sheeran

“Big Dan,” Daniel David Sheeran, passed away at his home in Las Vegas, Nevada on Sunday August 28, 2016. He was 91 years young and had been battling heart failure for some time. Dan was husband to his wife, Terri, and “Dear ‘ol Dad” to two daughters, Icey Sheeran of The Dalles, OR and Sheree Mills from San Diego, California. He also has three granddaughters: Kelly Raupach of Auburn, Washington, Lauren Horn of Weber City, Virginia, and Miranda Mills of Flagstaff, Arizona. His wife, Terri, his brother Jim of Milwaukee, Wisconsin and his nephew Jim of Bristol Wisconsin, survive him. Since their marriage in 1987, Terri’s family and four children from Wisconsin have been a large part of Dan’s life; Linda Peters Scalish and husband Tom, Nancy Nelson and husband Tim, Larry Peters with Diane Baese and Mary Jo Macholl and husband Mike. All of Terri’s grandchildren knew him as “Grandpa Dan”.

As a concert pianist and organist, Dan was the ultimate entertainer and an extremely talented musician. In recent years he has been playing for his Lutheran church services and events, in a Vegas “Big Band” as well as for Mason and Shriner activities. Dan forever displayed his talents and love for music. Last year, on his 90th birthday, he played the grand piano in the lobby of the Tuscany Gardens Restaurant with grace and charisma to a standing ovation from family, friends and staff. It truly was a wonderful moment in time.

Born in Milwaukee Wisconsin, to Mildred and Arthur Sheeran, it was evident from an early age that he had genuine musical talent. As a teenager Dan was playing with bands in venues where minors were not allowed! Just prior to WWI, Dan graduated from the Wisconsin Conservatory of Music. He joined the United States Army and served in both World War II and the Korean War. While entertaining the troops in Japan, he met his first wife Gladys, and mother to his two daughters. After sustaining shrapnel injuries he was discharged with a Purple Heart and Bronze Star. He then became a radio announcer and entertainer in Upper Michigan. He returned to his hometown of Milwaukee where he began his career with The Baldwin Piano and Organ Company. In 1962 Dan was promoted to District Sales Manager and was transferred west to San Diego. He eventually relocated to Las Vegas with his second wife, Rene, and managed Baldwin retail stores in Indianapolis, Indiana, Los Angeles, California and Las Vegas, Nevada. In both Los Angeles and Las Vegas he had numerous famous musicians as friends and customers. At one time, he delivered a piano to President Richard Nixon and also displayed Liberace’s flamboyant grand piano in the front window of his Las Vegas store.

He will forever be missed; but always in our hearts as we hear his favorite tunes such as Oh Wisconsin, Everything’s Coming Up Roses, Sleigh Ride and When the Deep Purple Falls played on the piano or organ. We love you Dan, Dad, Big Dan, Dear ‘ol Dad, Uncle Dan, Grandpa Dan. You live on in the hearts and memories of your family, loved ones and dear friends.

Arrangements under the direction of Palm Downtown Mortuary, Las Vegas, NV.