Daniel Appleton

Daniel H. Appleton - Age 83, passed away on Sunday, Feb. 26, 2023, at Cherry Meadows Hospice surrounded by the beloved women in his life. He was born on January 15, 1940, to the late Chester and Elizabeth Appleton of Freedom. Dan grew up in a farming family where he learned the value of hard work and love of the outdoors. He graduated from Freedom High School in 1958. He met and married Nancy (Kerkhoff), his one true love, on Nov. 7, 1962. They celebrated their 59^th wedding anniversary just a month before her unexpected death in December 2021. After high school, Dan served six years in the U.S. Army Reserves as part of an infantry division and was proud to be selected as the guidon bearer for his unit. His career started at Thilmany Pulp and Paper Company, but he spent most of his working years (32) with Miller Electric Mfg., Co. where he retired as a supervisor in 2001. After retirement, Dan continued part-time work cutting grass at Fox Valley Golf Club followed by 12 years of school bus driving (his favorite job of all) in Freedom. He loved interacting with his fellow bus drivers and adored all the children on his routes. Dan enjoyed many activities over the years. These included skeet shooting, camping, boating, golfing, spending time with family around the pool, puttering around the house or yard, shopping for/playing with technology gadgets, and driving around in his little red convertible. He was skilled in welding and electrical work which he used in building horse trailers and wiring homes for family members. Dan was an avid dog lover and leaves behind his beloved adoptee Harvey. Dan is survived by his daughters: Wendy (Paul) Schlueter and Julie (Kris) Maxwell; grandchildren: Ryan (Amber) Bowers and Amanda (Rick) Gasman; great grandchildren: Rosalie, Mila, Kensley, and Piper; sister: Betty Appleton; sister-in-law: Carol Appleton; and brother-in-law: Tom Sutliff; along with nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Dan was preceded in death by his loving wife: Nancy; his parents; his brothers: Tom, Clark, and Charles; sister: Patricia Sutliff; and sister-in-law: Florence Appleton. Family and friends can gather for a celebration of life which will be held on March 11 at noon at the Verkuilen-Van Deurzen Family Funeral Home, N3972 Columbia Ave, Freedom. Visitation is held from 10 a.m. until the time of the service at the funeral home. For online condolences, please visit www.verkuilenfh.com. The family would like to thank the doctors, nurses and caregivers at ThedaCare Regional Cancer Center and ThedaCare Regional Medical Center in Appleton who helped Dan in his battle with leukemia, with special thanks to those who provided comfort and care during his last days at Cherry Meadows Hospice in Appleton.