Daniel J. Ruff

Daniel Joseph “Danny” Ruff, 76, of Fancher, IL, passed away at 10:45 p.m. Friday, December 12, 2025, at Shelbyville Healthcare and Senior Living, Shelbyville, IL.

Visitation will be held from 2:00-4:00 p.m. Saturday, December 20, 2025, at Howe & Yockey Funeral Home, Shelbyville, IL. Flag Presentation by the Shelby County Honor Guard will be held at 4:00 p.m. Casual attire is requested. Memorials may be given to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital (In Memory of: Danyelle Marie Cushman).

Daniel was born on August 17, 1949, in Fancher, IL, the son of Claude Oliver and LaVonne (Polley) Ruff. He graduated from Cowden High School in the Class of 1967. Following graduation, Daniel enlisted in the United States Navy, serving from 1968 – 1972, including two tours in Vietnam. While in the Navy, he served in the Harbor Clearance Unit “Salvors” and the Military Police. Daniel married Cherri Shewmake on August 19, 1972. He worked in Quality Control at P&H Manufacturing, in Shelbyville, IL, until his retirement. Daniel’s hobbies included mushroom hunting, coin collecting, playing cards, watching war movies & Jeopardy, and tinkering in the garage.

Daniel is survived by his wife, Cherri; daughter and “son”, Stephanie Coventry (Josh) of Fancher, IL; two grandchildren, Paige Madeline and Cloe Renae; brother, Lloyd Ruff of Fancher, IL; sisters, Mary Conner of Stewardson, IL, and Donna Switzer of Port Orchard, WA; father-in-law, Glenn Wilcox of Mode, IL; brothers-in-law, John Carter (Jude) of Effingham, IL and Mike Wilcox (Chris) of Pana, IL; and special sister-in-law, Diane Meyers (Mark) of Greenup, IL.

He was preceded in death by his parents; sisters, Helen Manship, Claudette Morrison, Ann Mahnke, Ruth Shewmake, and Daisy Tolen; brother, Elmer Ruff; mother-in-law, Madeline Wilcox; brother-in-law, Chad Wilcox; and niece, Danyelle Marie Cushman.