Daniel F. Waker

It's with an extremely heavy heart, we announce the passing of Daniel Fraser Waker of South Lyon Michigan, on March 12, 2025, at the age of 79 years old.
Dan was born in Detroit Michigan on June 7, 1945, to the late Harold and Edith (Connie) Waker.
Daniel grew up in Detroit Michigan, after graduating from Wilber Wright high school in 1964, Dan was drafted by the Army and fought in the Vietnam war. After returning from the war Dan married the love of his life, Kathryn (Shipley) in June 1968. They would eventually move to Farmington, Michigan where they would raise their family. Dan joined the International Union of Elevator Constructors August 1, 1969, and worked for Lardner Elevator for a short time and then for Dover/ThyssenKrupp Elevator for a majority of his career until retiring with 35 years on January 31, 2004. Dan was always part of his community; he would coach both of his boys in soccer from the age of 5 until they graduated high school. Dan was President of the Farmington soccer club and helped build soccer fields along with other dads and generous donations from Little Caesars, he was a volunteer firefighter for Farmington Hill and a reserve policeman for Farmington for 25 years. He got the pleasure of working at the Farmington Hills fire department with his son Tim and working in the elevator industry with his son Mike.
Dan and Kathy's love of camping took them all over the country, exploring new adventures every time they traveled. When Dan reached retirement age they continued to travel in their fifth wheel to different destinations until settling in Bradenton Florida where they made a lifelong group of friends. Dan loved golfing and had a group of friends both in Michigan and Florida that would golf 3 to 4 times a week, he loved those guys and had some great stories from all those years together.
Dan looked at life different than most people, because of his experience in Vietnam he knew life was a gift and lived it to the fullest. Sometimes called a troublemaker, he loved playing pranks and jokes on his buddies and family, but it was always in good fun. Dan loved his sons, adored his grandkids but the one thing he couldn't live without was Kathy, his heart couldn't handle being without her by his side.
Beloved husband and best friend of the late Kathryn L. Waker for almost 57 years. Devoted father to Timothy (Anne Marie) Waker and Michael (Andrea) Waker, proud Papa of Travis, Jacob (Amanda), Nathan, Lily, Jack, Katie, Alex, Mitch, Dana and Owen. Dan had numerous friends and family that will deeply miss him.
A cemetery service for Dan and Kathryn will be held Friday, April 11, 11 am, Great Lakes National Cemetery, 4200 Belford Rd, Holly, MI. The Army Honor Guard will provide honors for Dan's honorable service to the country. Please meet his family at the cemetery and follow all the signs and arrows for the Waker service.
Immediately following the cemetery service everyone is invited to continue celebrating Kathryn and Dan's lives at Fenton Winery and Brewery Taproom. The celebration will begin at 12 pm. Please use this link for more information about the venue. https://www.fentonbrewery.com/
We love you and will dearly miss you Dad/Papa!!
Please keep the Waker family in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.