Name: Memorial Gathering for Dana D. Heupel
Start: 2019-01-02T17:00:00.000Z
End: 2019-01-02T19:00:00.000Z
Location: Bisch Funeral Home

Dana D. Heupel 1950 - 2018
Springfield, IL—Springfield, IL-Dana D. Heupel, 68, of Springfield, passed away Wednesday, December 26, 2018 at his home.
He was born in Franklin, IN, November 10, 1950 the son of Donald and Arline (Mellott) Heupel. He graduated from Indiana University where he earned his Bachelor of Arts in Journalism. His parents preceded him in death.
Dana retired in 2014 from the University of Illinois at Springfield where he served as the executive editor of Illinois Issues. Prior to joining Illinois Issues, Dana served 30 years in the newspaper business as a reporter, city editor and statehouse editor with Copley News Service and later Gatehouse Media, which included the State Journal Register in Springfield. His career also included working at The Journal Gazette in Fort Wayne, Indiana, The Fresno Bee in California, TheIndianapolis Star, and The Kendallville News Sun.
Many of his colleagues and friends remember Dana as "passionate journalist", a "leader" a "planner", "a great teacher of journalism and writing" always offering these lessons with kindness and patience. He was a true gentleman with a passion for his craft. Dana cared about the issues in Illinois government. He wrote in his send off column titled 'A Retiring Newsman Looks Back" (http://www.nprillinois.org/post/editors-note-retiring-newsman-takes-look-back) "It's not that I don't understand how government works; it's more that I refuse to give up on the notion of how it should operate…. I leave with the belief I spent the last few years of my career doing something important". This passion carried through his retirement. He will be greatly missed.
Dana won numerous awards during his career including the Illinois Associated Press' Member of the Year in 1999.
In his free time, Dana found great joy in music and was an accomplished guitar player. He loved the outdoors and especially fly fishing and golfing. He was a member of the Press Club at Lake Springfield. He served on the Woodlake Homeowners Association for several years, many of them as president.
After Dana came to Springfield, he met and then married Kathie Wozniak, March 30, 2001 and she survives. Also surviving are his son, Jon (wife Katie) Heupel of Chicago, 2 step-sons; Matthew (wife Dr. Janelle) Wozniak of Ft. Collins, CO and Scott (wife Charlotte) Wozniak of Medford, OR, 2 grandsons; August and Andrew Heupel, 3, step-grandsons: Nate, Alex and Coltrane Wozniak, his brother, Richard (wife Laura) Heupel of Bloomington, IN, 2 sisters; Carol (husband Roger) Rhodes of Bloomington, IN and Janene (husband Rick) Trobridge of Wabash, IN 4 nieces and several cousins.
Honoring his wishes, Cremation Rites will be accorded by the Bisch Crematory.
Family and friends are welcome to a memorial gathering at Bisch Funeral Home West 2931 S. Koke Mill Rd. Springfield, IL from 11:00 am Wednesday, January 2, 2019 until the time of a memorial service at 1:00 pm Wednesday. Rev. Dr. Thomas G. Radtke will officiate. Private inurnment will be at a later date in Oak Ridge Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, those who wish may direct memorial contributions to the Friend in Deed c/o the State Journal Register or the Central Illinois Food Bank.
Please visit the online "Life Remembered Story" at www.bischfuneralhome.com where tributes, memories and condolences may be left for the family.
Arrangements are in the care of Bisch Funeral Home West 217-544-5424

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The State Journal-Register from Dec. 28 to Dec. 31, 2018.

Memories and Condolences
for Dana Heupel

Sponsored by Bisch Funeral Home.

13 Entries

Gary Glaze

January 12, 2019

I really enjoyed playing music with Dana during the years. It's too bad it's not possible to spend more time with people
that you would like to. Prayers for his family.

Dave Kane

January 2, 2019

I'm very sorry to hear about Dana's passing. He was a wonderful colleague in The State Journal-Register newsroom. It was a pleasure and privilege to work with him and get to know him. My condolences go out to Dana's family.

Mary Rose (DePaolo) & David Lee Kimmel

January 2, 2019

With our deepest Sympathies to Danas wife and family. I knew him at Garrett High School, Garrett,IN. Nice guy, everyone was enriched by knowing Dana. Thoughts and prayers for you all during this difficult time.

Randy & Teresa Thorne

January 2, 2019

Peace, dear friend.
Randy and Teresa

January 1, 2019

January 1,2019

I was saddened to hear about Dana's passing. I had the good fortune to work with Dana when he was the Director and Executive Editor of "Illinois Issues" and Center Publications in the Center for State Policy and Leadership at the University of Illinois in Springfield. There were many talented people, administrators and staff, who worked closely with me at the Center, but Dana was just outstanding. His professionalism and academic excellence made us all look better. Dana's newspaper background, education and knowledge, combined with his strong sense of ethics, integrity, humility, intelligence and superb grasp of Illinois politics, strengthened the magazine he administered, as well as the Center as a whole.

I learned a great deal from Dana, and he made my job easier and enjoyable. He was also a terrific teacher and a gentleman. Dana's strong principles stood for what was right and true, and guided the rest of us to find and follow our "better angels". His passion and clarity of expression stood out in his writing and presentations. Those of us who knew Dana and worked with him will miss him, his friendship and his insistence on journalistic excellence. He left an imprint on me. He was very special.

Anthony Halter, Executive Director, (2006 to 2010), Center for State Policy and Leadership, University of Illinois at Springfield

Ron Matthewsw

December 31, 2018

I knew Dana in the public school at Garrett, Indiana.e spoke to me over the years and when he was with Fort Wayne paper wrote some nice things about me. It would be a BETTER world if we had more people like him

RON MATTHEWS

December 31, 2018

Kathie, We were saddened to hear of the passing of Dana. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Love and prayers, Linda and Bob Reed

Ray and Peggy Long

December 30, 2018

Sorry for the loss of a good guy and good journalist who sought the truth so we could live in a better and better-informed world. Here's a salute to a journalist who worked in the trenches, earned his stripes and won respect. Thank you, Dana, for all you did. Ray and Peggy Long

Rose Buford

December 30, 2018

My deep sympathy to the family of Dana May fond memories fill your heart to ease the pain, until (John 6:40) is fulfilled what a happy reunion that will be.

Sherri Boner

December 29, 2018

I met Dana when he first came to UIS. He was a true gentleman and a good man. So sorry to hear of his passing.

Mike Jones

December 29, 2018

Deeply saddened to learn of Diana's passing. I wish you peace and courage at this time of sorrow.

December 29, 2018

My Deepest sympathy goes out to the family and friends of Dana. May the comfort of our heavenly father who is our Rock & Stronghold give you peace and in this time of grief. He is our shield and the God of refuge. Psalms 18:2.

Mary and Brent Bohlen

December 28, 2018

Kathie and family, you have our sincere sympathy. Dana was a true gentleman and always had a friendly greeting when we saw him. We appreciated his work as a journalist and as president of the Wood Lake Association. May he rest in peace.

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