Daniel Wade Dunham, Jr.

Ilion - Daniel Wade (Disco) Dunham, Jr., 57, of Ilion, passed away peacefully on Friday, January 2, 2026, with his family by his side.

Dan was born at the Naval Hospital in Beaufort, SC, while his father was stationed at Parris Island Marine Corps Recruit Depot on March 10, 1968, the son of Connie (Gay) Dunham and the late Daniel Wade Dunham, Sr.

He attended Ilion High School and entered the Army National Guard training on September 2, 1986, with COB 787th Military Police at Fort McClellan, Alabama. He was honorably discharged from 107th Military Police Co. NYARNG, Utica, NY on May 25, 1994.  Dan was employed at Union Fork & Hoe until its closure and most recently at Remington Arms until they closed.

In his spare time, Dan was a lover of music and was a die-hard Buffalo Bills fan and could answer just about any football trivia question asked. He also had a great love for the outdoors and enjoyed fishing and hiking the numerous trails in New York State. One of his favorite places to go, especially during spring and fall bird migrations was Montezuma WLR in Seneca Falls, NY making several trips a year.  He had a special knack for calling in the owls. Dan also enjoyed watching cooking and nature shows and a pod cast called “Locked on Bills”.

Surviving beside his mother, Connie Dunham, are his longtime girlfriend, Melissa Stickles; a son, Daniel W. Dunham, III of Florida who he affectionately called “Big Head”; a daughter, Nicole, who he affectionately called “Brain” (Zach) of Herkimer;  their mother, Missy Dunham and Frank Cassella of Florida; three step children, Jeremy Campbell of Frankfort, Corey Campbell of Utica, and Courtney Ropeter of Cortland; two granddaughters, Gianna and Gabriella De Lucia who Dan affectionately called G1 and G2. Also surviving are two brothers, Scott and Steven Dunham both of Ilion; two nephews, Ryan and Dakota Dunham both of Ilion; a niece, Shelby Dunham of Ilion, a great niece, Marla. His uncle, Stanley Cook of Frankfort, and his aunts, Carol Jean Gay of Ilion and Donna Gay of Herkimer; and several cousins he was very fond of.

The family will be receiving relatives and friends on Tuesday, January 13, 2026, from 6 - 7 pm at the locally owned and family operated, Vincent A. Enea Funeral Service (next to Hannaford Markets), 527 E. Albany St., Herkimer, NY. A short prayer service will follow at 7:00 pm in the chapel of the funeral home. Burial will take place in the spring at a date and time to be announced at Millers Mills Cemetery with a celebration of his life to follow. 

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