Daniel G. Horenberger

Born: September 24, 1957; in Highland Park, IL

Died: November 10, 2016; in Marengo, IL

Daniel G. Horenberger, 59, of Marengo passed away November 10, 2016.

He was born September 24, 1957 in Highland Park, Illinois to George and Lenora (Kieser) Horenberger.

Dan was a unique and interesting man. He was the creator and owner of Brass Ring Carousel Company, known for restoring antique carousels and also building custom carousels all over the country. Dan was a Jeep Forward Control Truck enthusiast and collector of various items. Through his passion and art of carousel building, and interest in collector items, he was able to meet an array of people. He will be missed not only by his family, but by those who have had contact with him over the years through his work and hobbies.

Dan is survived by his sister, Nora (Dennis) Stauber; his nephew, Aaron Stauber; his niece, Alisyn (Paul) Podgorski, and their daughter, Ellie Lenora; and many extended family members.

He was preceded in death by his mother and father.

There will be a casual gathering of family and friends on Sunday, November 20th to remember Dan arrive anytime starting at Noon at the old Water's Edge Golf Course, 4005 N. IL Rt. 23, Marengo.

Arrangements entrusted to Marengo-Union Funeral Home. For information call the funeral home at 815-568-8131. Online condolences may be made at www.marengo-unionfuneralhome.com.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Northwest Herald on Nov. 16, 2016.

Memories and Condolences
for Daniel Horenberger

Sponsored by Marengo-Union Funeral Home.

22 Entries

Tom Speciale

January 6, 2017

Dear Horenberger family: A terrible loss of a wonderful man. As busy as he was, he always made time for us, giving freely of his knowledge and expertise. Our prayers are with you.

Deanna Roth

December 23, 2016

Dan was a great friend and carousel enthusiast that brought music and smiles to so many and for sure to our house. On behalf of the Roth Family we extend our deepest condolences to Dan's loved ones.

Rock Hopkins

December 8, 2016

Three weeks, and still no easier to believe. My thoughts and deepest prayers with family and friends, and extended family which was large one. He was a boss, but also a friend, and a brother. A big brother. With big shoes that will never be filled and eternally missed, in the circles he was in, carousels and jeeps will not be the same without him. There was only one Dan. He will forever be in our thoughts and hearts.

Justin Pinchot

November 26, 2016

Dear Horenberger family, I'm so sorry for your loss. Dan was family to me and many others here in So. California. We spent 30+ years working on carousels and many other things together. He was a good friend, boss and brother and I learned more from him than I can say. "Grease = $" and "you might find better, but you won't pay more" are classic Dan lines, but he was by far the hardest working guy I have ever known, and always took good care of his extended family in LA. He will be sorely missed, but never forgotten.

david Naythons

November 22, 2016

First of all, I'd like to extend my condolences to the Horenberger family in their sudden loss of Dan this past 2 weeks. I only knew him through the Carousel News & Trader magazine. I recently contacted Dan to get some specifications on the Riverview Carousel during my recent photographic study at Six Flags Over Georgia. I hope a sucessor was found to keep the Brass Ring Entertainment Company functioning. With heart felt sympathy, David Naythons

"Panhead" Mike Fuss

November 20, 2016

Dan was a great help to me when he didn't have to be, when I took over the maintenance of the Flying Horses carousel on Martha's Vineyard many years ago. I never spent money with him but he was always a huge help to me. we hit it off like friends, six years ago while on the east cost he came and visited then had the Carousel News & Trader feature us. I'm shocked and saddened at his passing. He meant alot to me.

George T. Herczak

November 17, 2016

To the Horenberger family. Barbara and I continue to be saddened of the passing of our great friend, Dan Horenberger. It has been noted that if you have one good friend in your life, you are blessed and very fortunate. Dan was more than a good friend to my wife Barbara and I, he introduced us to the carousel industry. Repairing and prepping horses, chariots, round boards and the likes, were primed and made ready to Dan's acceptance. I have Dan to thank for his patience as my knowledge increased to complete every job successfully.
Mr. Daniel G. Horenberger was a credit to the carousel industry, and his name will always be recognized with great respect for his dedication to keep alive the rsstoration of carousels all over the world.

George T.& Barbara Herczak

Harvey Gaylin

November 17, 2016

I got to know Dan in the early eighties when Barbara Williams and I operated the Carousel on the Santa Monica Pier and Dan was our go to guy for repairs on our Wurlitzer Band Organ. I was shocked and saddened at the news and send my deepest condolences to his family and friends.

Robin-Lee Clarke

November 17, 2016

To Dan's family
We here at The Butchart Gardens, in BC Canada are so saddened by Dan's passing.
We are a 112 year old, still family owned, attraction, that was lucky enough to have found Dan at the end of the phone when I, ( the present owner), called inquiring about a carousel, to be my legacy here.

If it was not for Dan, we would not have our beautiful carousel, and I would have no legacy!

From the moment we spoke to the opening evening, it was a truly wonderful experience, Dan was such an outstanding man to work with, knowledgeable, kind, and so generous to us, I am in his debt forever.
What a great loss for you, and all of us lucky enough to have met him, and have one of his carousels, and to the entire carousel world.

We here, who knew him and I especially, will never forget him.

My heart goes out to you.

Sincerely, Robin-Lee Clarke, owner
The Butchart Gardens

Bill Dodge

November 17, 2016

To Dan's family and friends. I. Only knew him from FCConnection and being at his Military show in September. He will be missed.

JOE & MICHELE VOLTURO

November 16, 2016

TO ALL OF DAN'S FAMILY THERE OUR NO WORDS THAT CAN EASE THE PAIN YOU ARE GOING THROUGH , I WISH TO OFFER MY DEEPEST CONDOLENCES. HE WILL SURELY BE MISSED BY EVERYONE.

Wendy Kunde-Dlugos

November 16, 2016

To our dear Nora & all of Dan's family...we are saddened to hear of your loss, just a week since we left Marengo. We pray you have, and will continue to receive, the comfort from Heaven that we have. Love you!

November 15, 2016

Oh Dan, God must've needed you more than we do. We will remember ALL the friendly moments and phone calls during NASCAR that you took time to share with us. Our hearts are broken but we will try very hard to continue our lives with you in mind. You were a special genius in all that you did. What a legacy you left all over the country. Be patient with God, as He loves you.
Love, Jesse & Andrea

Carlos Sardina

November 15, 2016

We will miss our long conversations on the phone about carousels. People and
carousels spread far and wide will miss Dan.

Carlos & Judy Sardina

Frits Heinhuis

November 15, 2016

Dear Brass Ring Family,

Our very sincere respects and condolences.

Whe wish you all the Best.

Frits Heinhuis and Family
Holland

Craig Brockhaus

November 14, 2016

As all of us are I am in a state of shock. As I sit back and reflect I am so grateful for the time we all were able to spend with Dan at the Military reunion in September. It was such an awesome time and I never wanted it to end. Looking down the table at the first evening's dinner made me so thankful for the friendships that we share. It is so sad to see the life of such a hardworking, passionate to his dreams kind of guy like Dan, end just like that.
His legacy will live on through us and our actions and will never be forgotten. Don't wait! Call that old friend, hug that loved one, and finish that project! There are no guarantees out there. Live each day as it's your last.

Liz Martin

November 14, 2016

Words cannot express the loss that is felt by the carousel community. He was a one-of-a-kind person who cared deeply for this important piece of Americana. His expertise, knowledge and wisdom are irreplaceable. Deepest condolences to Dan's family and friends (of which there were MANY!). I imagine that he is already looking for the master carvers to compare notes. God speed, Dan. You will be missed by many...

Jim Allen

November 14, 2016

I recently met Dan in connection with one of his other "loves," the Forward Control Jeep. He hosted a bunch of fans at his new digs in Marengo in 2016 and I can't remember a better host at a Jeep event. From all indications, he had amassed a great number of friends and fans in the Jeep FC world and I know there is a lot of shock and dismay in that community right now. My thoughts are with his family and close friends and I hope they find peace in the fond memories of a great man.

Carol and Sid Truitt

November 14, 2016

To the Brass Ring Family, we are deeply saddened by the loss of Dan. Though we only met him 11 years ago, since then we had friendship beyond none, and enjoyed the times we were together on the road, at jobs, and times when we just sat at our Kitchen table and swapped stories. A true friend, and a mentor, and great man, gone too soon.

Reggie Martin

November 13, 2016

Dan will be greatly missed by all who knew him.

Steven Thomas

November 13, 2016

Our very sincere respects and condolences. Dan was always in our life together, a true friend, understanding boss, sincere brother and special uncle to the both of us throughout the years. He was that one in a million person that was very special to all that really knew him. Dan will definitely be missed but will always remain in our thoughts and hearts forever.

From the Brass Ring Crew,

Steven and Shaun Thomas

Bill Ruppert

November 13, 2016

Dan
Thank you for being my friend and helping me when I needed help.
I will never forget you.
Bill Ruppert

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