Daniel DeKeyser

Resided in Gladstone, MI
Died June 15, 2023

Gladstone, MI

Daniel J. DeKeyser, age 42 of Gladstone, formerly of Sheboygan, WI, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on Thursday, June 15, 2023 at his home, after fighting a courageous and lifelong battle with brain tumors and brain cancer.

Dan was born on April 21, 1981, in Sheboygan, WI the son of James and Kathleen (Herro) DeKeyser.  He grew up in Hingham, WI and moved to Southern California during high school.  Dan graduated from Mission Viejo High School and received his degree in Computer Information Systems from Cal Poly Pomona.  After graduation, he interned at the National Institute of Health in Baltimore and then started a web development company in California.  He was involved in local music festivals and fundraisers.  Dan even reigned as King of the Garden Grove Strawberry Festival.  He was particularly good at creating web sites for small local business entrepreneurs.  In 2015, he decided to move back to Wisconsin and bought and remodeled a home in Sheboygan, where he worked for Kohler Company until his illness forced him to stop working.

Dan loved country music, particularly live, with his friends, which sometimes involved travel to festivals, line dancing, and socializing. Camping was a favorite activity, plus seeing new sights and capturing them with photographs. He once spent six weeks driving the entire Route 66, stopping and taking in all the iconic sites and documenting them for a photo book for himself and the family. He also loved spending time with family, friends and his cat, Leia. He enjoyed and was good at creative cooking, including Asian dishes, barbecued ribs, and tiramisu. He never let his illness slow him down and was always quick to laugh or make those around him laugh with humorous comments.


Besides his parents, Jim and Kathy DeKeyser of Gladstone, MI, Dan is survived by his brothers, Bill (Michelle) DeKeyser of Franklin, WI and Nick (Mel) DeKeyser of Fort Mills, SC; his Grandpa Don DeKeyser, and his Grandma, Mary Herro.  He will be greatly missed by his beloved nieces and nephews:  Andrew, Mateo, Liam, Bella, Veronika, and Lily DeKeyser.  He is also survived by his aunts and uncles: Joan DeKeyser, Rich & Maria DeKeyser, Carol & Gerry Adler, Jane & Bob Kleiman, Maureen & Joe McKindles, John & Georgia DeKeyser, Mary Jo & Glen Grippen, Sharon Herro, George & Shannon Herro, Melissa & Pablo Gonzalez Herro, and Joe & Roberta Herro.  In addition, he leaves behind many cousins and Marco Valli, a former foreign exchange student who is Dan’s “Italian brother”.  He is preceded in death by his Grandma Violet DeKeyser and Grandpa Joe Herro.

 

Family will receive friends on Monday, July 31, 2023 from 10:00 AM until Noon at the Skradski Funeral Home in Gladstone. A memorial mass will follow at 12:30pm at the All Saints Catholic Church multi purpose room in Gladstone with Rev. Fr. Jamie Ziminski officiating. There will be signs in the parking lot and at the funeral home to direct you. A luncheon will take place in the parish hall.

9 Tributes for “Daniel DeKeyser”

    I met dan many years ago at AT&T working in our Ads department. He was a very quite and humble individual with a great sense of humor. I invited Dan into our crowd at work and people really got a chance to meet him and we called him “Country Dan”because of his love for country music. I stayed friends with Dan for many years after we even became business partners at one time. Many great camping trips and good memories with Dan. Dan volunteered at a small non profit radio station 90.3fm in Orange County many times and did some community outreach by feeding those in need. He even became Strawberry Festival King. Our Station, Our Family will miss Dan. He was a part of our extended family and his memory will live forever. – We love you Dan! – Mark and the Radio Suerte Family ~~

    So sorry to hear of your loss. Sounds like he had a very full life. Will pray for your heart to start healing and to find peace in the days ahead.

    Let me know if there is anything I can do.

    Take care.

    Susan Spalding.

    Know that we loved Dan. And we saw his wonderful sense of humor and joy of living whenever we were around him. We will be there to celebrate and remember his life. And we will share our memories of him as the years go by.

    Jim, Kathy and family, I am so sorry to hear about the passing of Dan. I have many good memories of him and our boys spending time together. My prayers and sympathy to you all.
    Tammy Markus

    Kathy and Jim – It is difficult to know what to say just now…except that you are thought of in sympathy and friendship. Holding you close in our hearts, prayers and thoughts.

    Jim, Kathy, Billy and Nick,
    Sending my many thoughts and prayers that you all will be to find comfort knowing Danny has touch so many lives during his physical life. It will be those memories that will forever burn bright allowing his spiritual presence to shine on. I have so many great memories of babysitting to boys, it was Danny’s enthusiastic curiosity that would always keep me on my toes.
    With Heartfelt Sympathy,
    Brenda (Kaat) Veldboom

    Radio Suerte KLIE_LP 90.3FM in the State of California want to express our deepest condolences for the loss of your son Dan, our special friend, member of The Int. Crusade of the Penny a 501©3 and The Radio Station. We’re very saddened to hear of the recent passing of our King Dan De Keyser your son, our friend, and many others.
    • It was such an honor to be your son’s friends. He was a beautiful person that always volunteered his time to make life easier to others by raising funds and feeding families that are less fortunate, and feeding the homeless. Daniel was crowned King because of his passion to assist the low income families and the homeless. He was KING Dan in the City of Garden Grove Strawberry Festival. No goodbyes from us, because from here to Heaven, he will always be in our hearts, and our Memories. He will be Honored with a Picture with his Crown in the Hall of Fame with the other Celebrities in our Radio Station.
    • King Daniel, you’re loved. Rest in Peace.
    • Our prayers and Condolences to the Parents and Family. From all the Members.
    • Victor Mendez-(Founder) Int. Crusade of Penny & Radio Suerte
    • Mary L.Luna

    Wow…rest in peace Dan..
    I remember back in the day, we hung out a few times with our group of friends, he put me at ease when I was feeling out of place, he was a chill guy..

    May God have him in his glory

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