Daniel "Dan" John Easterling was born August 18, 1936 in Claremore, Oklahoma. Dan and his twin brother, Don, were the youngest of five children born to Audy Ellis and Fleta Elgin (Goodin) Easterling.

After graduation from Wagoner High School, Dan earned an Associate degree at Oklahoma A&M College. While there he was active in athletics, playing football, basketball and baseball.

Dan owned and operated several service stations through the years, worked as a loan officer, and was employed by the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality before his retirement.

Dan truly loved his hometown of Wagoner, and was tireless in community service projects; for many years he was instrumental in achieving great things for his community. In his early years he served as a volunteer fireman and helped develop the fire department. He served as City Councilor for about twenty years during the time the city park and swimming pool were revitalized and the fire station was built. His achievements numbered too many to mention, but Dan had a knack for having a good idea to better Wagoner and seeing it through, no matter how many hours of his time were donated to organize the project.

He was a member of the Wagoner Masonic Lodge and the Muskogee Shrine Club. He continued in his later years to donate time and effort to those fundraising projects to benefit children in need.

Dan served 28 years in the Oklahoma National Guard. He organized the cleanup and decoration of the Armory in town and instigated a parade and other functions to honor the local group of Guardsmen when they were mobilized several years ago.

Dan departed this life Thursday, December 14, 2017 in Tulsa, Oklahoma. His loving wife of 54 years, Evelyn Easterling, preceded him in death on January 21, 2016. Others who preceded him are his parents, A.E. and Fleta Easterling; his twin brother, Don Easterling and two other brothers, Bob Easterling and Ellis Easterling Jr.

Left to cherish his memory are his son and daughter-in-law, Randy and Vicki Easterling of Rancho Santa Margarita, California; grandson, Andrew Easterling of Salinas, California; granddaughter, Corinne Easterling of Rancho Santa Margarita, California; a sister, Fleta Jean Chism of Georgetown, Texas; numerous nephews and nieces, especially his niece, Gale Gish and her husband, Mark, who were Dan's rock during his last illness. He also leaves other extended family and many friends who will miss him dearly.

A Visitation will be held Monday evening from 5:00-7:00 pm at Mallett Funeral Home.

The Funeral Service will be held at 11:00 am Tuesday morning at First Baptist Church. The Reverend Mark Pointer will officiate.

Interment will be beside Evelyn in Elmwood Cemetery in Wagoner. Military honors will be performed.

Memorial donations may be made to the Wounded Warrior program or to the Shriners Hospital for Children.