Daniel J. O'Connor

Daniel J. O’Connor, 71, the second of nine children born to Richard J. and Bernice O’Connor, died Feb. 7, 2024, in Indianapolis after a months-long illness.

A veteran of the U.S. Air Force, Dan served as an environmental health specialist with assignments at Vandenberg AFB in California, Hickam AFB in Hawaii, Enewetak Atoll in the Marshall Islands, and Grissom AFB in Indiana.

He graduated from the IUPUI School of Public and Environmental Affairs with a bachelor’s of science degree in public health. He worked for the Marion County Health Department as a hazardous materials specialist and for Keihin IPT Corp. in Greenfield as manager for environment, health and safety.

Dan was one of the earliest geocachers in the Indianapolis area and was known for his clever and innovative hiding spots, according to a good friend. Indianapolis Monthly featured Dan, known by the nickname muirwoody, and his friends in an article in 2006.

He was an avid bicyclist for many years, a lifelong reader, an excellent photographer and a proponent of backyard habitats for birds and other wildlife. He also enjoyed collecting vintage electronics and featuring them on his YouTube channel, which had several thousand subscribers.

He is survived by his eight siblings: Michael O’Connor of New Richmond, OH; Anne Godby of Whitestown; Jane O’Connor of Raleigh, NC; Tom O’Connor of Indianapolis; Maureen Gilmer of Indianapolis; Brian O’Connor of Clayton; Caroline Wilson of Greenfield; and Patrick O’Connor of Indianapolis, as well as many nieces and nephews.

Services will be at noon Feb. 23 at Indiana Funeral Care, Harry W. Moore Chapel, 8151 Allisonville Road, with calling beginning at 11 a.m. Interment will be at Crown Hill Columbarium Annex following the service, with military honors being rendered.

Memorial contributions may be made to Compassus Living Foundation at https://compassuslivingfoundation.org  or Indy Reads in support of literacy initiatives, 1066 Virginia Ave., Indianapolis, IN 46203.