Daniel Thomas Engel

Daniel T. Engel was married for 50 years to Karen Kuzniar, they had 4 children, one of which proceeded him in death, seven grandchildren and one great grandchild. Dan enjoyed supporting his grandchildren and great grandchild; watching swimming, volleyball, baseball, softball, soccer, football, basketball, scholastic bowl, theater events and dance competitions. When grandchildren visited he encouraged having fun making messes, playing guitar, and doing his yard work. He loved outdoor sports, including hunting and fishing. Dan enjoyed attending summer theater with his wife and sisters. Dan enjoyed traveling locally to Galena, Starved Rock and Alton and took family trips to Michigan, California, Arizona, Texas, and Alabama. He loved solving crossword puzzles in ink. He was an avid reader. Among other authors he tackled the Robert Jordan Wheel of Time series (fourteen novels) at least twice.

Dan was employed at Caterpillar from 1974 to 2009, initially working in the factory, later he completed the millwright and electrician apprenticeships, finally retiring as a Tech Writer in 2009. Dan received his Associate’s Degree from ICC and his Bachelor’s Degree from SIU. While laid off from Caterpillar, Dan worked for Becker Lumber In Peoria, Illinois and Mitsubishi Motors in Bloomington, Illinois.

He is survived by his wife Karen (Kuzniar) Engel, three children; Chris (Jason) Engel of Canton, Illinois, Joshua (Sierra) Engel of Peoria, Illinois, Angela Gilchrist of Chillicothe, Illinois; seven grandchildren Tyler (Nikki), Gavin, Collin, Charley, Katsumi, Caitlyn and Myka; and one great grandchild, Ezra.

He is also survived by four sisters, Jeanette Slama of Peoria, Illinois, Kathy (Steve) Ziegenhorn of Morton, Illinois, Elaine (Pat) Melone of Mount Prospect, Illinois, and Yvonne (Bob) Ham of Elmwood, Illinois. Dan is also survived by his maternal aunts: Ester (Bill) Mcdonald, Ruth (Bill) Schoolman and Claudia (Otto) Geist, all of Peoria and his paternal aunt Lorraine (Jim) Gass of Chillicothe, Illinois. Dan has dozens of cousins on both sides of his family and has been adopted by Karen’s family, as their own.

He was preceded in death by his daughter Jennifer Lee Engel; his parents, Winfred and Betty (Geist) Engel of Peoria, Illinois; maternal grandparents Otto and Anna Ida (Woertz) Geist, step grandmother, Freida Geist, all of Peoria Illinois; paternal grandparents, Andrew and Theresia (Krieger) Engel of Florence, Alabama.

Cremation has been accorded. Dan’s wish was to celebrate his life with a a big bash in the back yard with family and friends. We will honor his request on May 31, 2025. Details to follow.

In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Dan could be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital or to an organization or cause of your choice.

Condolences, pictures, videos can be shared on his Dignity Memorial webpage.