SCHOENCHEN — James Daniel Kohl (Dan), age 56, of Schoenchen, Kan. died Sunday, Oct. 3, 2021. He was born June 14, 1965 in Hays, Kan. to James Kohl and Doris (Herrman) Winslow. He married Tina (Mask) in Hays, Kan. on June 14, 1996.
Dan always had a smile on his face. He was one of those people that everyone loved. He was genuinely genuine. Dan didn’t have secrets. He wasn’t two-faced. What you saw is what you got. Dan was a genuine person inside and out. Dan was a patient person and always gave people the benefit of the doubt. He was honest, generous, and kind to everyone. He was devoted to God and volunteered at his church whenever they needed an extra set of hands.
Family meant the world to Dan. He loved telling everyone about his kids. He was immensely proud of them and all of his family. He oftentimes would go out of his way to be an integral part of family gatherings and made sure to keep in touch with family near and far. Dan was a devoted father and husband. He married his first true love, Tina. He cherished spending time with his son Russ and daughter Faith, and Dan’s best friends were his brothers.
Dan was thrilled to host family gatherings at his home. When his house was no longer big enough to host the family, he bought a bigger house! In fact, he was in the midst of expanding the current home to accommodate his ever-expanding circle of close friends and family. Dan was the common link between his close and extended family. If someone needed a phone number or reminded of a family link or the name of a distant cousin or even someone’s birthday... He always had it. Dan took on a deep interest in genealogy and actively sought to learn family history and connect with cousins who are generations removed.
Dan was always well grounded. He didn’t take unnecessary risks. He didn’t borrow big chunks of money or use credit cards to buy this or that. He lived within his means. If he needed something that he couldn’t afford then he took a second job to make it work. Dan always did his best to provide for his family, made sure to share in household chores, and undertook projects to improve the house as he could find time.
Dan graduated from TMP-Marian in 1984 then studied and completed his certificate to operate heavy equipment at North Central Kansas Area VoTech in Beloit, Kan. He then worked as a machinist building components for hydraulic pumps and cylinders at Cross Manufacturing in Hays for 36 years. He was an immensely hard worker and was unmatched in effort, commitment, determination, and loyalty.
Dan was a lifelong fan of the Chiefs and Royals, even during the lean years. Whether it was the annual journey to Kansas City for the Chiefs or at the local school to see nieces and nephews playing, Dan enjoyed attending sporting events. He recently started a love affair with travel, having taken the entire family to Ireland and then Grand Canyon the following year. Dan also enjoyed going to the gym. He worked hard to push himself to improve his times and overall fitness. Dan had plans for the next chapters of his life. Travel. Watching his kids start their next chapters. Spending more time with Tina and sharing her next chapters. Dan will be missed by many
Dan is survived by his wife Tina (Mask) Kohl of Schoenchen, Kan.; son Russ of Hays, Kan.; daughter Faith of Kansas City, Kan.; brother Rick Kohl and wife Kelly of Moundridge, Kan., and their two sons Trevor and Collin; brother Scott Kohl of Saint George, Kan.; and step-brother Sean Passmore of Fort Collins, Colo. and son Nick. Dan was preceded in death by his parents, James Kohl and Doris (Herrman) Winslow; and his step-parents, Jackie Kohl and David Winslow.
Funeral services will be 10 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 7, 2021 at St. Anthony Catholic Church in Schoenchen, Kan. Burial will follow in the Our Lady Help of Christians Cemetery in Antonino, Kan. Visitation will be Wednesday 5 p.m. – 8 p.m. with a combined parish vigil and rosary service at 7 p.m. all at Brock’s-Keithley Funeral Chapel and Crematory 2509 Vine Hays, KS 67601. Thursday visitation will be 9 a.m. until service time at the church in Schoenchen. Memorial contributions are suggested to Holy Family Elementary or TMP-Marian. Condolences may be left by guest book at www.keithleyfuneralchapels.com or by email at keithleyfuneralhomes@gmail.com.
Funeral arrangements provided by
Keithley Funeral Chapel
400 E. 17th St.
Ellis, KS 67637
Great Bend (Kan.) Tribune, Oct. 6, 2021
