Daniel Charles Willett passed away peacefully at his home, surrounded by family, on July 15, 2021. Dan was born on September 16, 1943 to Fred and Hazel Willett in Valparaiso, IN. He graduated from Chesterton High School in 1963. He was a US Navy veteran. On October 1, 1966 he married the love of his life, Alice Miller. In 1969 he started Dan’s Carpet and Furniture Cleaning, which he owned and operated for 52 years. This gave him the freedom to do the things he loved the most, coaching basketball, golfing, traveling, and most of all spending time with his family.
Dan’s greatest passion was his family. He was an amazing man, a devoted husband, a perfect role model, one of the most giving and loving men. He taught his children how to respect others, work hard, enjoy traveling, and to find joy in the little things. Dan loved game nights with his family. He was always the joy of any game with his sneaky ways and made-up rules. He loved life and never knew a stranger. Everyone that met him loved him. He led by example; he was a forgiving man and it came so easy to him. Dan knew the peace that came from forgiveness, and his most precious gift to his children was teaching them how to forgive. Colossians 3:13.
Next to his family was his love for coaching basketball. It began with coaching his children at St. Patrick’s CYO basketball, and continued for 40 years! Year after year Dan would brag on the kids he was coaching and followed their accomplishments. All of his players loved him dearly.
Dan enjoyed spending time on the golf course with his brothers-in-law, daughter and grandsons. He especially loved his Father’s Day and Birthday golf outings with the extended family.
Dan was an active member of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, Knights of Columbus, and involved with the Westchester Food Pantry for many years.
Dan leaves behind his wife of 54 years, Alice, and his three children, Shelly Yurack (fiancé Bill), Daniel (JunJun) Willett, and Amy (Kevin) James. He also leaves his grandchildren: Zachary Yurack, Jacob Yurack, Daniel Willett, James Willett, Brian (Wanda) Willett, Ethan (Chloe) Shoa, Kyle James, Elizabeth (Russell) Hunt, Tiffany James, and his great grandchildren, Adeline and Brooklyn Willett, Hazel Hunt, and Jiang Shoa. He is survived by his brothers-in-law, Price (Mylin) Miller, Tom Miller, Brian Miller (partner Jim), Joe Miller, Michael (Jacquelyn) Miller and Mark Miller (partner Dan), brother, Dave Willett, and sister-in-law, Mary (Ron) Sunderman, along with many nieces and nephews who loved their Uncle Dan. Dan is preceded in death by his parents, Fred and Hazel Willett, and brother, Bill Willett.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Tuesday, July 20, 2021 at 10 a.m. at St. Patrick Catholic Church, 638 N Calumet Rd, Chesterton, IN, with Father Jerry Schweitzer officiating. Burial will follow at St. Patrick Cemetery. The family will receive visitors at White-Love Funeral Home, 525 S. 2nd St., Chesterton, on Monday, July 19, 2021 from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m.
Memorial contribution may be made, in lieu of flowers, to Westchester Food Pantry, or Knights of Columbus ultrasound project.
Please share your memories with the family at: www.whitelovefuneralhome.com.
To send flowers
to the family or plant a tree
in memory of Daniel Charles Willett, please visit our floral store.