Dan Vonau

Daniel George Vonau, 43, of Crystal Lake, died unexpectedly on Sunday, February 15, 2026.

Dan was born May 19, 1982 in Barrington, IL to Walt and Nancy Vonau, the fifth of six Vonau kids! Dan was born with a smile on his face which earned him his nickname of Grins! Dan’s life has always been driven by faith, love, and adventure. As a child Dan would climb trees, play in the creek or forest preserve, or hang with family and friends on Flint Dr. Dan wore a smile that lit up any room he walked into. He had a natural ability to talk to anyone from any walk of life and make a new friend. Dan grew up helping work in the family drywalling business. 

In high school, Dan played football, water polo, wrestled, was a student athletic trainer, and a member of the anglers club. Dan’s favorite class was his years of Wood Shop where he learned the craft of woodworking that he continued to pursue and led to beautiful butcher block tables. Dan was able to continue to grow his love for adventure on fishing trips to Canada with the anglers club and his Dad. Dan graduated Class of 2000 from BHS and continued his adventure at Southern Illinois University where he graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Forestry. During his time there, he made lots of friends, explored many state and national parks, became a walking encyclopedia of trees including all their Latin names, and hiked. Dan was like a real life MacGyver!

Dan worked in forestry but eventually found his professional passion as a Journeyman Lineman in the IBEW Local 196. Dan’s desire to help, his passion for adventure, and having an office that is in nature fed his soul. Dan in particular was proud of his work when he was able to go out “on storm” and help those that were in desperate need after a tragedy. Dan completed many storm duties and had wonderful stories and pictures of places all over the United States where he made a difference.

However, nowhere mattered more to Dan than home. Dan was a family guy through and through even living on the same street as two of his sisters. He and the love of his life Rachel raised three kids together. They worked hard as a team but loved to play hard too. They have played for years in weekly volleyball leagues. They loved to take the kids on adventures near and far and model for them how to live in the moment and be spontaneous. They loved to kayak together, explore National Parks, hike, play at the beach, boat, and more. Dan and Rachel had even started to adventure to Europe both in Paris and most recently in Portugal.

Dan is survived at home by his soulmate Rachel Skubiszewski and their children: Olyvia Vonau (15), Isaac Vonau (12), and Ariya Mucci (11). Beloved son to Walter Vonau Sr & Nancy Vonau (nee Clough). Loyal brother to Kristin Light, Walter Vonau Jr (Sarah), Beth Vonau, Matt Vonau (Erin), and Suzie Santiago (AJ). He was proud to be Uncle Dan to 15 nieces and nephews who took many turns at having Uncle Dan throw them up into the air.

Dan is now up in heaven with: Grandpa O. Lewis Vonau, Grandma Leona Vonau, Grandma Vera Clough, Grandpa Roy Clough, Aunt Sandy Vonau, and his brother-in-law R. Scott “Bud” Light.

Visitation for Dan will be held at Davenport Funeral Home, 419 E. Terra Cotta Ave., Crystal Lake, on Saturday, February 21, from 3:00 p.m. until a Service at 7:00 p.m. Dan will then be cremated so that some of his ashes may be spread along his favorite hikes.

In lieu of flowers we are accepting donations to the Dan Vonau Family Trust for the benefit of Dan's children.