DAN “Wolfie” WOLF

Daniel R. Wolf, age 61, a lifetime resident of Sugar Grove, passed away suddenly, Tuesday, August 23, 2022.  

He was born December 3, 1960, in Aurora, to proud parents, Rex and Phyllis Wolf

Dan grew up in Sugar Grove and attended local schools. He graduated from Kaneland High School with the class of 1979. While a student, he was a four-sport athlete, making a name for himself in football, baseball, track and basketball, where he made the varsity team as a sophomore the year the team made it to the super sectionals.

He was united in marriage to Norma Beck. They were blessed with a son, Joseph Daniel Wolf for a tragically short time before the Lord called him home in infancy. In time, Dan and Norma would go their separate ways, but fate would bring love again when he met Tammy Diehl and give Dan an opportunity to be a father figure for her two girls, Lauren and Lindsey.

Dan had an iron clad work ethic that shone bright as he spent a lifetime working at the Aurora Municipal Airport handling a myriad of jobs as a general caretaker and maintenance person. Caring for the airport was a family affair, with everyone pitching in, especially when it snowed, but Rex and Dan were institutions as you never found one without the other. Rex began the legacy of caretaker, looking after all thing’s “airport”, as well as farming the lands that surrounded it. Eventually after working side by side for many years, Rex handed over the reins to Dan, who like his father, doted diligently, living and breathing for the airport, and all who were involved in the day-to-day operations.

Dan may not have served in the U.S. armed forces, but he served as a member of the Sugar Grove American Legion, Post 1271, both diligently and humbly for many years.   

Dan embodied the phrase, “one of a kind”. Known by many as “Wolfie”, Dan was never at a loss for words and made an indelible impression on everyone he met. He was a teaser and jokester from his first day to his last, sharing his infectious laugh and lightening the mood of any room he entered.  He had a host of long-lasting friendships that came from all walks of life. His childhood was filled with family and fun, and no small amount of mischief according to the many spoons broken on his backside. Still, as the only son, he was the apple of his mother’s eye, much to the chagrin of his sisters who still begrudgingly followed him outside for a fast game of pickle, football (tackle of course) and baseball in the back yard.   Dan was sometimes a picture of opposites, his tough exterior belied a heart of gold filled with compassion and generosity. He loved his community and was a member of many groups who could always count on Dan to volunteer. From the Sugar Grove American Legion, Maple Park Fun Fest, tractor pulls and no less than six different softball teams, Dan was first in line to lend a hand along with a joke or three. He took fishing trips to Canada every year alongside his “second dad” Ron Dixon. Dan also participated in the Sugar Camp Softball Tournament near Rhinelander, WI. In recent years, Dan indulged his passion for carpentry and woodworking by building coffee tables for family and a full set of bar top tables for the Sugar Grove American Legion. Never one to sit idle, Dan was always busy in the shop and often was his father’s “right hand man” in all things. He was a father figure and “favorite uncle” to many, and good friend to even more. All will attest that there was no one like “Wolfie”, and there never will be again.

He is survived by his father, Rex Wolf; three sisters: Lisa Landes, Lynda (Tim) Fillipp, and Denise (Bub) Secor; many nieces and nephews: Dan (Connie) Landes, Haley (Dan Tardi) Secor, Sophey Secor, Joseph (Breana) Secor, Andrew (Katelyn) Fillipp, Tyler (Katy) Fillipp, Timmy Fillipp, Kaelyn “Sissy” Fillipp; close companion for many years,  Tammy Diehl and her daughters, Lauren (Jacoby) Holtz Kinley and Kade) and Lindsey Diehl; Ron Dixon, a second father; best friends, John Broz and Michael “Cooz” Marucc, the brothers he never had, and a host of friends across the field and countryside that are too many to mention.

He is preceded in death by his mother, Phyllis Wolf, one son in infancy. Joseph Daniel; his paternal grandparents, Honey and Donald Wolf and maternal grandparents, Roland and Irene Sanderson.   

Visitation will be from 3-8 p.m., Monday, August 29, 2022, at Conley Funeral Home. A Remembrance Service, where music and memories will be shared by family and friends, will be Tuesday, August 30, at 11 a.m., also at the funeral home. Interment will follow at Kaneville Cemetery.  

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Sugar Grove American Legion and mailed to 65 1^st St., Sugar Grove, IL 60554. Memories and tributes may be left on the Conley Funeral Home Facebook Page, or at www.conleycare.com where you can read Dan’s full life story.