Obit: Coughlin, Daniel James (1940- 2023)

Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
E-mail: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Coughlin, O’Halloran, Shapin, Reece, Davel, Antony

----Source: Cuddie Funeral Home (Greenwood, Clark Co., WI) 2/10/2023

Coughlin, Daniel James (23 October 1940 – 5 February 2023)

Daniel J. Coughlin, 82, of Willard, passed away in the Palliative Care Unit at Marshfield Medical Center, in Marshfield, on Sunday, February 5, 2023.

Daniel James Coughlin was born in Chicago, IL on October 23, 1940, to Daniel T. Coughlin and Mildred V. (O’Halloran) Coughlin. He was raised and received his education in the Chicago area, graduating from Oak Park-River Forest High School in 1958, and then attended St. Norbert’s College in De Pere. Dan later became a meat inspector for the State of Illinois. He also worked for several years as a Sears catalog store manager in Upper Sandusky, OH, but eventually went back to meat inspection, this time for the USDA. In 1966, Dan was united in marriage to Judith A. Shapin at St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church in Oak Park, IL. Their son, Daniel P. Coughlin, was born in Oak Park, IL in 1967, and that same year they moved to Genoa, IL to be closer to Dan’s work. Their son, Brian T. Coughlin, was born in Dekalb, IL in 1969.

Dan sustained many injuries in a 1974 car accident, and was not able to return to meat inspection. He went on a disability retirement, which allowed him time to look for the farm he’d wanted since he was young. He found that farm in Willard, in 1976. Dan and his family raised sheep for almost 40 years, but he also raised beef cattle, which became his main love. Sadly, a farm accident in 2013 forced him to sell his beloved cattle.

He was an avid hunter in his younger days, and was a life-long NRA member. A fused ankle, the result of the car accident, made it difficult for him to walk through the woods, so he later relied on the hunting adventures of his friends, instead. Dan enjoyed going to school board, county and town meetings, auctions, and was a die-hard Chicago Bears fan.

Dan is survived by his wife of 56 years, Judy, of Willard; his sons: Daniel (Lora) Coughlin of Blomkest, MN and Brian (Kathy) Coughlin of Ionia, MI; three grandchildren: Paige Coughlin (Julian Reece) of Dallas, TX, Shannon and Nicole Coughlin of Minnesota; many cousins and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, aunts, uncles and several cousins.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, February 25, 2023, at Holy Family Catholic Church in Willard. Rev. Stanislaus Michael Antony will officiate, and burial will follow in Holy Family Catholic Cemetery. Visitation will be held at the church, on Saturday, from 9:30 a.m. until time of service.

Dan’s family wishes to thank his doctors at the Marshfield Clinic, the incredible staff at the Marshfield Medical Center ER, ICU and general hospital for their outstanding care and compassion; the Marshfield Health Services nursing home team who cared for Dan in the past year; Eugene Saule & family who were there for us all these years; Greg Herrick, Dan’s dearest friend, with whom he loved talking ‘farming’; special friends Bob & Heidi Davel, who have been there whenever we’ve needed them; Mark Shain and many other good friends and family members.