DANIEL K. BLECK

1933 - 2021

Daniel K. Bleck, a longtime Lake County resident, passed away peacefully at home on March 8, 2021, surrounded by his loving family. Dan was born in Waukegan, Illinois, on December 2, 1933. He was the youngest of five children of Henry and Edna (nee Kilbert) Bleck. He grew up in Waukegan and attended St. Anastasia School and Waukegan Township High School. He married his wife, Dolores (Dode), in 1956, before graduating from University of Illinois where he received his bachelor's of science degree in architecture. After serving two years in the U.S. Navy as an officer in charge of construction at the Long Beach Naval Shipyard in California, he returned to Waukegan where he joined his brother, Tom, in the architectural business. He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Dolores (nee Altman); his brother, Thomas; his children, Angela Bleck, Cynthia (David) Chicoine, Daniel (Joanie) Bleck, Paula (John) Dixon, Michelle (Philip) Manolovic, Ted (Nancy) Bleck; thirteen grandchildren; one great-grandchild; sisters and brothers-in-law; and many nieces, nephews and close friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Eugene and Jack; his sister, Carol; and his great-grandson, David Michael Chicoine. Dan could rarely sit down without a pencil in his hand ready to create something new - whether it was a second story on his house or cottage, a sketch for a new painting or a themed-design for the annual fourth of July pontoon boat parade on Pine Lake. As an architect and "builder of dreams," he helped shape the world of those around him and his contagious spirit will live on in the numerous lives he impacted. Dan's influence will always be visible in the many homes, cottages, offices, downtown Libertyville businesses and places of worship he designed. His passions were his family, his cottage on Pine Lake, his workshop, watercolor painting and planning his next trip to the Boundary Waters just after he got back from the last one. He spent years perfecting a light-weight camp oven that accompanied him on many of his BWCA trips. He also contributed his time and talents to several nonprofit organizations throughout Lake County as well as the Cloverleaf Lakes Protective Association. While he will be dearly missed, his memory will live on through his many good deeds, creations and very detailed written instructions. Dad, we will all promise to keep the top of the workbench at the cottage clear as per the sign you always left on it! A service celebrating Dan's life will be held in May. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Dan's name would be appreciated and may be directed to FISH of McHenry Food Pantry, PO Box 282, McHenry, IL 60051 or at fishofmchenry.org. Funeral arrangements by McMurrough Funeral Chapel, 847-362-2626. Full obituary notice and guestbook at Libertyvillefuneralhome.com.