Daniel Carl Kwast

Daniel "Dannie" Carl Kwast, age 70, went home to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on December 13, 2025. He passed away peacefully at his home in Peoria, Arizona.
Dannie was born on February 14, 1955, in Cleveland, Ohio, the youngest son of Fred and Dortha Kwast. Throughout his life, he worked in various professions- as a skilled framer, contractor, and carpenter. His most treasured calling, however, was teaching the Word of God and serving as pastor of a small independent church. His life was marked by a deep and abiding faith in God and a sincere love for Jesus Christ. He was passionate about reading, studying, and preaching Scripture, and those who knew him remember his unwavering commitment to rightly dividing and teaching God's Word. Through years of Bible study teaching and pastoring at Door of Faith Bible Church, he consistently encouraged others to live with an eternal perspective. His faith was steady, immovable, and deeply rooted-a quiet strength that carried him through every season of life.
Dannie followed in the footsteps of his father from a young age and began training and competing regularly in weightlifting meets. By the age of 16, he received an "Outstanding Lifter" award in the 16-17 age division in the state of Ohio. Beginning in 1986, he set multiple records in the city, county, and state of Ohio which stood for several years. His achievements included numerous trophies and medals, among them a first-place medal at the Junior Olympics as well as recognition from fellow athletes. Dannie and fellow lifter Mark Comon co-founded and operated the "Macedonia Weightlifting Club" sponsoring meets and training athletes together for nearly a decade.In 1988, Dannie traveled to Safford, Arizona, to compete in the Southwest Open Meet held in Solomon, Arizona. There, he lifted alongside his father Fred, brother Dave, and son Jason-marking the first time in weightlifting history that three generations competed together in the same meet. The American Weightlifting Association commemorated this historic event by presenting each of them with a medal. As fate would have it, it was during this same trip, Dannie met Mary, who would later become his wife.
Dannie was an accomplished guitar player with an extensive knowledge of music history. He used his musical talents to play, perform, and support various bands including collaborations with his brothers Dave and Eddie. In the 1970's, and 1980's he played commercial rock with the band MAGIC (later changed to Sinister) and performed with a KISS cover band, Main Street Terror, playing popular rock hits of the era as well as original material. In 1993, Dannie relocated from Cleveland, Ohio, to the Finger Lakes region of New York with his brother Eddie, where he worked and traveled as a stage and guitar technician for his brother's band, The Rogues. Music remained a lifelong passion for Dannie; as means of personal growth, skill development and emotional and spiritual expression. He continued playing guitar throughout his life to the end, writing songs, ballads, and hymns, many of which he shared with family and friends.
In addition to his love for reading scripture, theology and Puritan authors, Dannie enjoyed reading and studying American history. He was especially passionate about Civil War history. He enjoyed traveling to various Historic Civil War battlefields throughout the United States and described Gettysburg as a place that enchanted him since he was a child. He visited there many times, and it held a special place in his heart.
Dannie is survived by his loving wife, Mary; his brothers, David Kwast, and Edwin (Suzette) Vallee, children Jason (Alicia), Kwast, Danielle Williams, Kaytee (Colby) Henson, Katie Ohmes, and Sam Williams; his grandchildren, and great-grandchildren; numerous cherished nieces and nephews, and his beloved dogs. Although he is no longer physically with us, Dannie leaves behind a powerful legacy of faith and love. His steadfast and firm trust in the Lord until the very end remains an example and encouragement to all who knew him. We take comfort in the blessed assurance that we will see him again in glory. A Celebration of Life service honoring Dannie will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, January 15, at Grace Bible Church, located at 19280 North 99th Avenue, Sun City, Arizona 85373. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations in Dannie's memory to one of the following charities: Grace To You Ministries, Wounded Warrior Project or American Battlefield Trust. https://www.gty.org/ https://www.woundedwarriorproject.org/donate https://www.battlefields.org/