Daniel Frank Walcott

Dan passed away peacefully on December 9th, 2025, after a brief illness. Born July 3rd, 1934 in Alma Michigan to Frank Beebe Walcott and Beatrice Faye (Kellogg) Walcott. Dan spent his childhood in Ithaca, Michigan along with his sisters Carol (Troyer) and Kathleen (Fowler). He attended Ithaca High School where he played football but soon found he loved playing the trumpet in the marching band more. Dan continued his education at Michigan State University graduating with a degree in Business. After college, Dan served in the United States Army attaining the rank of 1st Lieutenant - 8th Army Medical Corp. Upon discharge he returned to Michigan where he worked in Sales for his Uncle Ty Hager at the family lumber business.

In 1964, Dan met and married the love of his life June (Sanders). They raised two children and navigated the ups and downs of life together for 61 years, The family made many moves during Dan’s early career in the International Credit department with Dow Chemical Company: Including a memorable year spent in Bogota, Colombia where Dan learned to speak Spanish and prided himself on being able to converse with his co-workers in their native tongue.

After his return to the states, Dan felt God’s calling and enrolled in the School of Divinity at Ohio Wesleyan University, obtaining a Master of Theology degree and becoming an ordained Minister and Elder in the United Methodist Church. He served faithfully at several rural churches including New Moorefield, Ohio; White Pigeon, Michigan; and Upland, Indian Village and Kimmel, Indiana.

In 1977, Dan returned to the business world working and eventually retiring from the Credit Department at Zimmer USA in Warsaw, IN.

Throughout his life, Dan was active in Community Service - Including Rotary, Kiwanis, Masons and the Shriners Band. Following his retirement, he volunteered at Consumer Credit Counseling Services of Indiana, helping many struggling families to get out of debt.

One of Dan’s greatest joys in retirement was traveling with his beloved June. They were able to explore many European countries together as well as St. Petersburg, Russia and Australia. Dan always looked forward to attending his annual High School Reunion in Ithaca. Which for many years was followed by a week at the Life Long Arts Band Camp held at Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp in Twin Lakes, Michigan. One of his all time favorite trips was a Riverboat Cruise down the Mississippi River which left him hoping to cruise the Missouri someday.

Dan and June were fortunate to be able to be Snowbirds, in Sarasota and Venice, Florida where Dan parlayed his love of music by playing trumpet in both the Sun Coast Band and Venice Orchestra. Always an avid musician, Dan started Violin lessons in his 70’s studying at the Suzuki School in Sarasota and playing in an Irish music group.

Dan was a consummate lifelong learner, spending many a quiet morning reading and reflecting. Some of his favorite topics were history, famous historical figures, studying the Hebrew version of the Bible and immersing himself in his treasured Emerson.

Wherever he lived, Dan always found a church community that kept him grounded in his faith. He had many church homes throughout the years, but his soul felt most complete at the Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd in Venice Florida where his remains will eventually be laid to rest in the All Saints Memorial Garden.

Dan leaves behind his beloved wife June, and devoted children, daughter, Rebecca (Robert) Kamb of Cape Cod Massachusetts, and son: Dan (Gina) Walcott of Warsaw, Indiana. He leaves four grandchildren: Trey and Daniel Kamb,and Brandt and Darren Walcott and three great-grandchildren: Marlie, Addie, and Myles. He also leaves nephews Dan (Gwen) Fowler of Lakeland, FL and Bart (Nancy) Troyer of Bloomfield Hills, MI, and two nieces, Linda Triplett of Hawthorne, FL and Barbara (Tom) DePouw of Naples, FL and many many dear friends who will all miss him dearly.

A Memorial Service and Celebration of Life will be held sometime after the New Year at The Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd in Venice Florida.