David J. Endl

David John Endl passed away peacefully from lung cancer on Sunday, February 16, 2025, surrounded by his loving family. Born on June 5, 1952, to Anna Marie and Robert Endl Jr., David grew up in Jefferson and graduated from the Jefferson High School in 1970. After graduation, David enlisted in the United States Army. He went to Fort Campbell, KY for Basic Training and then on to Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio, TX for Medic training. His final stop was Fort Benning, GA for Airborne training. In 1971 he went to Da Nang, Vietnam and served as a Medic. He stated the most important thing he learned in the service was respect. He said you had to grow up fast. Being in Vietnam made him appreciate what he had back home in the United States. After returning home, he served in the Wisconsin National Guard from 1972-1974.
In 1972 David joined the Jefferson County Highway Department and dedicated over three decades to the department until his retirement in 2008. He began his Highway career on the Bridge Crew and worked his way up to the position of Shop Superintendent. He retired in December 2008 after assisting in the efforts of the Highway Department during the historic June 2008 floods. David was also deeply committed to his community, organizing Bingo at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church for many years, serving as an EMT in Jefferson from 1976 to 1989, and he served on the Jefferson City Council and Planning Commission. He also dedicated over 23 years volunteering to support others touched by Alzheimer's, cancer, diabetes, heart disease and other life limiting illnesses through Tomorrow's Hope.
David is survived by his wife of 47 years Barbara (nee Weber); his daughters, Melissa Endl of Jefferson, WI and Jennifer (Andrew) Tichelaar of Grand Rapids, MI; his cherished granddaughters, Lillian and Abigail. He is also survived by his brothers, Peter (Roxanne) Endl of Jefferson, WI, and Andy (Helen) Endl of Burlington, WI, one sister, Mary (Donny) Acketz of Cambridge, WI, one stepsister Ann Robinson of Eden Prairie, MN, and one step-brother Dan (Sue) Foltz of Oak Park, IL. His in-laws: Kathy Weber of Denver, CO, Jim (Peggy) Weber of Cottage Grove, WI, Shari Weber of Fort Atkinson, WI, Tom Weber of Gypsum, CO, Mary (Earl) Woolridge of San Diego, CA, Pat (Frank) Anfang of Helenville, WI, Bill (Mary) Weber of Mequon, WI, Ron (Mary) of Waukesha, WI, Philip (Pattie) Weber of Fort Atkinson, WI, Ann (Neil) Herdendorf of Jefferson, WI, Tim (Marcy) Weber of Janesville, WI, Liz (Bob) Schemmerling of Greencastle, PA and many nieces and nephews.
David is preceded in death by his parents; Robert Endl Jr., Anna Marie (Endl) Foltz, his stepfather Dick Foltz, his in-laws LeRoy and Frances Weber, brother-in-law John Weber, and many aunts, and uncles.
David loved the sun. It was rare to see him with a shirt on. He had a passion for family beach vacations, cheering on all Wisconsin sports especially the
Badgers and Packers. His obsession was flowers, especially his geraniums. Whether he'd worked all day in the hot sun on the bridge crew or just traveled five hours home from visiting Jennifer and her family, the first thing he saw when he drove up the street towards home was his flowers. He'd be out of the car before he had it in park running for the garden hose to water his flowers. He brightened the neighborhood and those driving by with his beautiful summer floral displays for years. He was known for his raw honesty, kind heart, quick wit, and always going out of his way to help the underdog. His legacy of service, love, and kindness will be fondly remembered by all who knew him.
A funeral service in David's honor will be held at 4:00PM on Sunday, February 23, 2025, at Tinto's Banquet Hall (214 Golf Dr. Jefferson) with Pastor Bryan Engfer of Resurrection Church of Fort Atkinson presiding. A visitation will be from 2:00PM until the time of service at the hall. Military honors will follow.
This has been a long 17-month journey for David. It has, however, also been a beautiful one. David, and his family, have been recipients of blessing, upon blessing, upon blessing. There have been so many remarkable acts of kindness, and generosity, shared with them by so many. Each and every act of thoughtfulness was noticed and sincerely appreciated. They send God's blessings to all of you for your love and support.
In lieu of flowers, David asked that you send donations to Resurrection Church at P.O. Box 487, Fort Atkinson, WI 53538 or Tunnel to Towers to support catastrophically injured veterans and first responders. Knowing 93 cents of every donated dollar goes directly to the T2T programs, he asked that you donate online at tunnel2towers.org or by mail to: 2361 Hylan Blvd, Staten Island, NY 10306.