Daniel Richard Personette

Daniel "Dano" Richard Personette, 45, of Mt. Morris, passed away peacefully, February 7, 2026, surrounded by his loving family. Dan was born on January 9, 1981, in Rockford, Illinois, to Richard and Pamela (Van Buskirk) Personette. He married the love of his life, Kristin Walsh, in Dixon on November 9, 2024.

Dan attended school at David L. Rahn in Mount Morris and graduated from Oregon High School in 2000.

Over the years, Dan worked at Quebecor, Etnyre, and his favorite job at Dixon Autozone where he worked his way up to being a manager.

Dan loved spending time at home with his wife and his beloved dog Oliver (Ollie), watching movies, hanging with friends and family, and listening to his music. He absolutely loved his music and took pride in his music collection and sharing this love with all. For years, he also enjoyed building and racing his cars in demolition derbies. He won the Whiteside County Fair Marsden Wild Driver award on August 16th, 2008. Dan made many great friends along the way. Dan was a humble, sweet man with a heart of gold who loved making people laugh and helping anyone he could.

He is survived by his wife Kristin, Mt. Morris; brother Jeffrey (Audra) Personette, Dixon; mother, Pamela Personette Brekken, Rockford; mother and father in-law Kevin and Vicki Walsh, Beloit; sister-in-law Sara (Nate) Hopper, Beloit; special nieces and nephews Tyler Personette, Bethany Personette, Hailee Hopper, Logan Hopper, and Kayden Hopper; many aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends.

He was preceded in death by his father, Richard, stepfather Norman Brekken, uncles David Van Buskirk, James Personette, Kenneth Van Buskirk, and both maternal and paternal grandparents.

A visitation will be held on Saturday February 14, 2026 at 11:00 A.M. until 12:00 P.M. in Finch Funeral Home, 405 East Hitt, Mt. Morris, IL. A family burial of cremains will take place in Oakwood Cemetery, Mt. Morris, IL.