Van “Duck” Dailey Jr., 81, of Monroeville, passed away Friday, May 16, 2014, at Mobile Infirmary Hospital in Mobile.

He was a retired crane operator of 40 years at Jefferson Smurfit-Stone in Brewton, as well as a certified masonry worker for several years. He was also an active crop farmer for most of his life until his later years. He was born on Feb. 11, 1933, in Atmore to the late Van Dailey Sr. and Josephine Dailey. In December 1957, he married Rosie M. Brown.

Throughout the course of their marriage they had their first-born and shared 24 years of marriage, but their close bond of friendship lasted throughout the years. In 1986, he remarried to Theresa J. Hooks of Monroeville, and they shared three children together until his time of death.

Those who preceded him in death include his son, Mickey Dailey; two sisters, Lucy Owens and Annie Mae Gulley; and five brothers, Dan Dailey, Robert Dailey, Ben Dailey, Mack Dailey and Frank Dailey.

Those left to cherish his memories are his wife, Theresa Dailey of Monroeville; a devoted daughter, Josephine Gaines (Byron) of Bay Minette; a loving daughter, Vandoren Dailey of Bay Minette and a caring son, Van Dailey III; four grandchildren, Javareon, Brayden, Brooke and Trent; a life time devoted friend, Rosie M. Dailey of Atmore; two brothers, Otis Dailey of Pensacola, Fla., and Arthur Dailey of Atmore; three sisters, Iola Reeves of Detroit, Mich., Celestine Wilson of Warren, Mich., and Lois Bickford (Robert) of Marlborough, Mass; a host of nieces, and nephews; and a special friend, Barry Ingram of Monroeville.

Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, May 23, at Mt. Olive Missionary Baptist Church in Atmore, with Bishop Tony McAroy officiating. Interment will be held in Stallworth Cemetery.

Mayberry Funeral Home will be in charge of arrangements.