Donald Danz was born August 4, 1937, in Oak Park, Illinois to parents Edward and Alma Danz. He grew up and attended Oak Park-River Forest High School and went on to attend Lewis University in Lockport, Illinois where he played both basketball and baseball for the university.
While at Lewis University he met and fell in love with his wife Janet and they wed on June 3, 1961. They moved to Calumet Park, Illinois and we worked as an accountant for Helicrafters for several years. Their son Donald and daughter Helen were born while they lived there. He learned he was not one who enjoyed sitting behind a desk all day so in 1969 he changed careers and became a distributor for 7up and had a route in the Lockport, Illinois area. He worked for 7up for 25 years. He left 7up and ended his career with Sara Lee where he distributed bread until he retired at the age of 65. The family moved to Plainfield, Illinois in July 1971 where they lived until May 2016. Their home in Plainfield had a large yard. He loved working outside in the yard. They had fruit trees and gardens. His yard always looked beautiful. He was quite handy around the house and over the years he did most of the projects and improvements to the house himself.
He enjoyed watching and playing sports. His favorites were golf and bowling. For years he had a group of friends (Tom, Nick, Ernie, Kip, and Archie), they played golf and bowled in a league. He loved to do jigsaw puzzles and watch sports on the TV. He was a life Chicago Cubs and Chicago Bears fan.
When the grandkids came along, he loved playing with them. He became famous in the family for his pancakes. Every time the kids or grandkids would come to visit, he would make his pancakes. We all have the recipe now and will continue to pass it down thru the family.
In May 2016 they were ready to move to a warmer climate and headed to Kennesaw, Georgia. His son Donald and his family lived there. It was great because he was able to spend more time with them. Their son has always loved boating and Don and Janet were able to spend many wonderful days on the lake with the family.
Don and Janet loved to travel. When we were growing up, we always went on a summer vacation. Traveling to new places each year, one requirement for our accommodations at each place we stayed was a swimming pool. When they became empty-nesters, they continued to travel all over the U.S. He loved driving to places and he always had his Rand McNally maps by his side. He used his maps till the end. He did not become a slave to technology.
His other enjoyment was his vehicles. He went through many cars over the years. He took meticulous care of his cars. My mother always said she knew he was going to trade in his car for a different one when he would get the tires changed.
He loved listening to music and going to see live performances. He had a large music collection to listen to and his taste was varied. Some of his favorites were Frank Sinatra, Big Band music, Jazz, Buddy Rich, Michael Bublé, Barbara Streisand, Elton John, Country music, Paul Simon, and many more.
Don was diagnosed with prostate cancer in August 2019. He was able to continue to enjoy his retirement and travel with Janet up until October 2021 when his symptoms progressed rapidly. He was able to remain at home until the end where he passed away on December 4, 2021.
His suffering has ended, may he rest in peace.
Don is survived by his loving wife Janet, son Donald Danz and his wife Judy, daughter Helen Phillips and her husband Stephen, grandsons Kyle Danz and Hunter Phillips, granddaughters Lauren Phillips and Shannan Danz. He is survived by brothers Albert and Bill, and sisters Marilyn, Elaine, and Karen. Predeceased by his parents Edward and Alma Danz, brothers Edward, Kenneth, Arthur, and Jack, and sisters Shirley and Diane.
There will be a Mass for family and friends Friday, December 10, 2021, at 11 a.m. at Saint Catherine of Siena Catholic Church, 1618 Ben King Road, Kennesaw, GA.
