Maurice Dailey, Sr., passed away in his sleep at his home in Edwardsville on Sept. 22, 2011.

Maurice was born June 25, 1922 in Auburn, Ill., to Mae and Daniel H. Dailey. He started his schooling at St. Boniface in Edwardsville and moved to Taylorville when he was 8 years old. After graduating high school, he attended Illinois College in Jacksonville.

While attending college, he worked for the deaf and blind school. Upon graduation he enrolled in Notre Dame Mid-Shipman's School. From there he served in World War II in the Pacific as captain of a mine sweeper.

After the war, he returned to Taylorville, working in the mines and eventually entering John Marshall Law School in Chicago, where he graduated top of class in June, 1950.

From college, he relocated to Granite City, Ill. Maurice became associated with Roscoe Forth in 1950.

Maurice married Judith Ann Jester July 15, 1951, after meeting her in law school. They resided in Granite City until 1973, but his law practice continued in Granite City for a total of 52 years. His practice included real estate, condemnation, probate, banking, corporate and construction law.

He represented many clients over the years, including the Granite City School Board for 17 years and the Granite City Housing Authority for 40 years. He also represented local banks and savings and loan associations for many years.

He was a past president of the Noon Time Optimists in Granite City and gave over 30 years of service as a board member and past president of Sunset Hills Country Club.

He is survived by his wife, Judith Ann, and his children, Teresa Ann "Terry" Johnson and Maurice "Maury" Dailey, Jr.; and grandson Ryan Edwin Johnson. He was uncle to Mary Lou Garbe, Daniel Reilly, Mary Ann Smith, Patrick Dailey, Michael Dailey, Craig MacIntosh and Kent MacIntosh. He was great- grandfather to Peyton Maurica, Keira Ann, Malikai Nathaniel and Damian Mathew. He was beloved uncle to many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his brother, Honorable Daniel H. Dailey, and sisters Mary C. Reilly and Louise M. Dailey.

Burial with military rites will be at Calvary Catholic Cemetery in Edwardsville.

Memorials may be made to the Guillain-Barre' Syndrome Foundation to help with research and finding a cure and may be accepted at the funeral home. www.irwinchapel.com.