Daniel Diercks

Daniel Jon Diercks, 83, of St. Charles, Illinois, left his comfortable earthly home to go fishing with Jesus in Heaven on January 4, 2025. He was born on February 8, 1941 in Chicago, Illinois to Delford and Verna (Goetz) Diercks.

Dan was preceded in death by his mother, father, and bonus parents-in-love, Paul and Katherine ""Kay"" Johannaber. He is survived by his loving, devoted wife of 61 years Lois (Johannaber) Diercks; four children Jon (Keli) Diercks of Novato, CA, Lindy Wordlaw of Chicago (and Bob), Jerry Diercks of West Chicago, and Jamie (LeAnn) Diercks of Port Washington, WI; eight grandchildren: Davis, Caris (Kat), Kalyn, Jada, Macy, Zoe, Aubrey and Owen; one brother W. David (Tara) Diercks of Chattanooga (TN), and two nieces and one nephew.

Dan lived in Aurora for 75 years, attending Hill Elementary, graduating from West Aurora High School in 1959, then Aurora College in 1963. He taught math at Eola, then Lincoln Junior High School in Naperville, and spent his summers designing and building homes, and remodeling projects. Not too long after, he turned his part-time summer work into a successful full-time career of carpentry and contracting that spanned the next 42 years before his slightly-official retirement in 2016 – as he could always be counted on for the occasional construction advice or picking up a hammer from time-to-time.

Those who knew Dan knew that at any given moment, the conversation could easily pivot to his favorite pastime – fishing! He spent countless evenings and weekends fishing up and down the Fox River by shore and by boat, or along the shores of Mastadon Lake in his Aurora neighborhood. With 27 annual fishing trips to Canada, he was never not planning his next one. He also had his favorite spots along the Illinois River, Wisconsin Rapids and other local ponds and rivers where he would pick up and go at a moment's notice. When he wasn't teaching his kids, grandkids and other people's kids how to fish, he enjoyed getting them out on the water for boating and waterskiing. Summers were especially time for family fishing and waterskiing trips.

Dan enjoyed playing in local basketball leagues, and for many years, led his church Saturday softball team at Crossroads Christian Youth Center in Big Rock, IL. He was a diehard Bears, Bulls and Sox fan, and could easily talk for hours to anyone he met about their current status whether you wanted to know or not, and regardless of just how awful they might be that season – he was an eternal optimist! In retirement, he looked forward to his weekly bowling days with friends at St. Paul's Lanes in Aurora.

Dan appreciated the God-given gift of his musical talents. He enjoyed playing the French Horn and served as president of the West Aurora High School Band and for a time, was a member of the Fox Valley Orchestra. He had a beautiful, deep and strong singing voice which he loved to share in praising the Lord by singing in church and directing choirs and praise teams over the years. Dan was always singing, whistling, and humming worship songs all day long, at work or play.

Dan was an active member and leader in his church families where he lived, including several decades at the Aurora First Church of God, then later, Batavia Covenant Church, and most recently, was a charter member of Bethany Covenant Church affectionately called the ""Donut Church"" in St. Charles, where he continued to sing God's praise through 2024.

Dan's patience and teaching skills are praised by his former employees and co-workers, and the multiple other lives he touched and mentored. He loved spending quality time with his children and grandchildren and supporting their numerous interests and performances. His loving family is overwhelmed with gratitude for the bonus year we had since his diagnosis of pancreatic cancer – he was healthy and active the entire year.

A memorial service for Dan will be held on Saturday, January 18, 2025 at Batavia Covenant Church, 1314 Main Street, Batavia, IL at 3pm with Reverend Laura Tarro, Reverend Eric Landin, and Pastor Melissa Duncan officiating. Visitation with the family will commence at 2pm, with food and fellowship immediately following the service. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be sent to Wayside Cross Ministries, 215 East New York Street, Aurora, IL 60505 (https://www.waysidecross.org), Bethany Covenant Church (https://www.bethanycov.org/), or to a charity of the donor's choice.