Danny Massick

Funeral services for Danny Massick, 69, of Knoxville, will be held Friday, June 19, 2026,
at 11:00 a.m. at Pierschbacher Funeral Home in Knoxville. Family will receive friends
prior to the service beginning at 10:00 a.m. A luncheon will follow at the funeral home
for a time of continued fellowship and visiting. Interment will be at the T’Lam Cemetery
near Pella following the luncheon. Memorials may be made to the Marion County
Humane Society.
Danny Lee Massick was born on July 20, 1956, in Oskaloosa, Iowa, to Albert and Jo
Massick. He spent his childhood in Tracy, Iowa, attending grade school there before
graduating from Twin Cedars High School with the Class of 1974.
Danny was never one to sit still for long, and over the years he wore many hats. He
worked as an EMT, drove an ambulance, spent time helping at a local funeral home,
and eventually found his calling as an electrician. He worked for Fleur Daniels and
retired as a foreman and supervisor, earning the respect of those he worked alongside
through his knowledge, leadership, and strong work ethic.
He married Ronia Beaver in 1977, and together they had two children, Scott and Nicole.
Danny met Diane, the woman who would change his life and they married on May 19,
1990. Diane often joked that she spent years trying to tame him. While she calmed him
some, Danny never completely lost the mischievous streak that made him who he was.
Together, they shared 38 wonderful years before Diane's passing in 2023.
To know Danny was to know a strong personality; an unfiltered sense of
humor that caused some head shakes and left you wondering what he might say next.
Danny valued tradition, loyalty, and his relationships. He invested in those people with
his time; never hesitating to make a phone call or show up on your doorstep. However,
to answer your phone call was a running joke with those who knew him. 
Danny was full of stories, some true, some still in question. But if there were enough
people to compare the version they heard, you could probably figure out close enough
to the truth.  He had a gift for taking an innocent children’s story, like The Three Little
Bears or Bambi, and turning it into something hilariously inappropriate, or slightly
terrifying, especially if children were listening. Danny loved getting a reaction and was
always ready with a joke, a grin, or a story that somehow got bigger every time he told
it.
Danny loved the outdoors. Hunting was one of his greatest passions, and he had a gift
for making the experience memorable and an adventure for all involved. Danny shared
this love with many others, guiding and gathering with those who shared his love. As
well as developing and instilling a love and skill in younger generations.
He and Diane enjoyed traveling and living in different parts of the country. Work took
them to California, South Carolina, and Ohio before they settled for a time in Mount
Olivet, Kentucky. About twenty years ago, they returned to Iowa to be closer to their
aging parents, a decision that reflected the deep love and loyalty Danny carried for his
family. Back in Iowa, Danny worked alongside his brother-in-law at Shinn Trucking for
several years before finally retiring after battling cancer.
He enjoyed traveling, especially taking cruises, regularly traveling with his nephew TJ
and his wife Jamie for many years.  Other interests that Danny will be remembered for
are camping at the Iowa State Fair, and his love for Mopar cars. At first glance, Danny
could seem a little rough around the edges. He had a gruff exterior and wasn't one to
sugarcoat his opinions. But beneath that tough shell was a man with a huge heart. He
was fiercely loyal to those he loved, and always willing to help family and friends when
they needed him. He loved deeply, protected fiercely, and never forgot the people who
mattered most.
Danny passed away suddenly on Sunday, June 14, 2026. While his family wishes they
had more time, they find comfort knowing he is reunited with Diane, the love of his life.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Diane Massick in 2023; his parents, Albert and
Jo Massick; and his mother-in-law, Goldie Dingeman, and father-in-law, Duane
Dingeman.
Left to cherish his memory are his children, Scott Massick and Nicole (Darin) Fliear;
grandchildren Kaliegh Massick and Kyli, Zachary, and Derrick Fliear; siblings Linda
Shinn, Terry Massick, and Jeff Massick; sister-in-law Deb (Byron) Bruxvoort; along with
many nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends who will forever remember his stories, his
laughter, and the unforgettable way he lived life.
Danny never pretended to be perfect, and he wouldn't have wanted anyone to
remember him that way. Instead, he would want to be remembered for the laughs he
shared, the stories he told, the adventures he chased, and the people he loved. In that
regard, he leaves behind a legacy that will not soon be forgotten.