Daniel James Legner went home to be with the Lord on January 25th. 2025  Dan was born in LaPorte, Indiana on December 22, 1933, the fourth child of Vaclav and Anna Legner.  His sisters, Bessie (Legner) Mirka, Martha (Legner) McGaffey and brother, Rudolf Legner, preceded him in death. Danny was always proud of his Czech heritage.  His father immigrated to the U.S.  from Czechoslovakia.  His mother was a first generation Czech.  Dan grew up in LaPorte and attended Indiana University, majoring in instrumental music and Slavic languages.

After college, Dan enrolled in the army, and served two years working on guided missiles.  Upon being discharged from the army, he attended airline management school.

In 1958, Dan married Mary Gleim, and the young couple moved to Chicago, Illinois, where Dan began his career with the airlines.  He ended his career at LaGuardia airport in New York as a ground operations manager.  During his time in New York, the United States became involved in the Desert Storm war, and the government needed airplanes to transport troops to Iran.  Three times Dan traveled on these airplanes as a weight and balance expert, earning him two medals and two certifications of meritorious service signed by President Ronald Reagan.  He retired from Northwest airlines at the age of fifty-five and returned to Dayton.

Dan began playing the clarinet at the age of six.  A highlight of his musical career came when the Indiana University marching band was asked to march at President Eisenhower's inauguration.

Dan loved tennis and played three times a week into his seventies.

As a father, Dan believed in teaching his children values.  He expected Dana, Chris and Peter to be honest, hardworking, to have a love of learning and to be loyal to each other.  He couldn't have been more proud of the people they became.  He loved them unconditionally.

He was a giving man.  His last gift to mankind was his body, which he gave to science, so that others could live a better life.

Dan and Mary are the parents of Dana (Legner) Webb, husband David Webb, Christopher Scott Legner, wife Jacqueline Halderman, and Peter Todd Legner.

Grandchildren:  Daniel Legner, Kyle Webb, husband Leslie Abernethy, Brigitte (Webb) Eric, husband James Eric, and Casey Legner, fiancee Graham Luce.

Great grandchildren:  William Legner, Roman Isham, and Jordan and Jay Eric.

Nieces and Nephews from LaPorte, Indiana:  Cathy (McGaffey) Cooper, Garry Legner, Carol (Legner) Hagenow, husband Jim.

If desired, contributions may be made to Wounded Warriors, 4899 Belfort Road, Suite 300, Jacksonville, Florida 32256 or Ohio's Hospice at 324 Wilmington Ave. Dayton, Ohio 45420.

The memorial service will be at noon on February 15th, at the Tipp City Global Methodist Church in Tipp City. Online condolences may be expressed at www.fringsandbayliff.com.

Wounded Warriors
4899 Belfort Road, Suite 300, Jacksonville FL 32256

Ohio's Hospice of Dayton
324 Wilmington Ave., Dayton OH 45420