Dan L. Heindel

Daniel “Dan” Leon Heindel, husband, father, grandfather and avid sports fan, died on Thursday, April 17, 2025 at the age of 87.

Dan was born on August 10, 1937 to the late Joseph and Mildred (Kruckeberg) Heindel at St. Elizabeth Hospital in Appleton. He was raised and resided in Kaukauna his entire life, graduating from Kaukauna High School in 1955.

Many who knew Dan knew of his profound pride being a Marine. He served in the United States Marines Corps from 1956 to 1958, being stationed in San Diego, California and also in Okinawa, Japan.

Upon returning from his time in the Marine Corps, Dan worked at Giddings & Lewis Machine Tool Company in Kaukauna as a tool grinder for 28 years, later retiring from Accurate Machine in Kaukauna.

Dan married Judy Cox on September 16, 1961 and they were married for 63 years. They had two daughters, Heidi and Jill.

Dan was a simple man. When his family was younger, he enjoyed spending time at their cottage on Lake Metonga in Crandon. Later, he found joy in gardening, puzzles, holiday traditions (such as dying Easter eggs) and his Manhattans.

He loved to watch sports. He was proud to cheer on his Green Bay Packers, Milwaukee Brewers and Wisconsin Badgers (to name a few). But, nothing compared to him cheering on his grandchildren. Dan rarely, if ever, missed one of their sporting events when they were in school – always finding the best seat on the bleachers. He was the ultimate fan of all sports. So much so that he and his best friend, John Schuh, received the Outstanding Fan Award for the Holy Cross Men’s Basketball Tournament in 1998 (something that Dan proudly displayed in his home).

Dan is survived by his wife of 63 years, Judy; daughter, Heidi (Heindel) Sanderfoot; grandchildren: Emily (Jason) Feagles and Joey (Adriana) Sanderfoot and his favorite great grandchildren: Jack, Greta and Liam Feagles. He is further survived by his sister, Sharon Freund; brother-in-law, Jim Geerts; brother-in-law, Pat (Samm) Cox; sister-in-law, Mary Cox and numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Dan was preceded in death by his parents, Joe and Millie Heindel; his father-in law and mother-in-law, Bob and Anita Cox; sister, Lynne Geerts; brothers-in-law: Brian Freund, Kevin Cox and Bob Cox; and his beloved daughter, Jill Heindel.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to the amazing staff at Ascension Columbia St. Mary’s Hospital in Milwaukee for their tremendous care for Dan during his final days.

Services will be held on Wednesday, April 30, 2025 at Verkuilen-Van Deurzen Family Funeral Home in Kaukauna (2401 Fieldcrest Drive) with a visitation from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. and a service at 4:00 p.m. Private burial will be held at a later date. For online condolences, please visit www.verkuilenfh.com.