It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Daniel E. Wilson.  He was a highly skilled award-winning journalist and an award-winning father, husband, uncle and grandfather, who passed away on October 4, 2023, at the age of 75 after a very short and unexpected battle with cancer.  He leaves behind a wonderful family, a legacy of exceptional reporting, dedication to community service, and a passion for history that touched the lives of many.

Born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin in December 1947, Dan demonstrated an insatiable curiosity and an unwavering commitment to the pursuit of knowledge. He was known for his in-depth understanding of historical events, particularly the Civil War era, and his passion for sharing this knowledge with others.

On October 23, 1971 he married the love of his life, Susan Leeman, his twin sister Donna's best friend.  While it may not have been love at first sight for Susan, Dan would not give up and made several attempts during his courtship before Susan would finally say yes to his proposal. His kids believe it was the horse joke that sealed the deal.  Throughout their marriage they enjoyed traveling the US and overseas, live music, camping at many of the State Parks across the United States - and of course their children and grandchildren. He and Susan would have celebrated their 52nd anniversary on October 23, 2023, but sadly, Dan passed away before they could mark this milestone.

As a journalism graduate from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee in 1970, Dan began his 27-year career in journalism in 1984 when he assumed the role of Editor at the Mount Horeb Mail, a weekly newspaper in southern Wisconsin. In 1988, he joined the Appleton Post-Crescent as a reporter, quickly rising to the position of Waupaca Bureau Chief. During his tenure, Dan covered a wide range of topics, including municipal and county government, school boards, and later, courts and crime in Outagamie and Waupaca Counties. He retired in January 2010, leaving an indelible mark on the field of journalism.

Throughout his career, Dan's dedication to investigative reporting yielded numerous accolades, including eight statewide awards from the Wisconsin Newspaper Association, The Milwaukee Press Club, and the Wisconsin Bar Association. His reporting on the tragic Barneveld and Wautoma tornadoes, the Cora Jones abduction and murder, the Avery/Dassey case, and the Weyauwega train derailment showcased his commitment to uncovering the truth and making a difference in his community.

One of Dan's most notable accomplishments was his investigation into the death of a toddler at the hands of the child's stepfather, which led to critical changes in the procedures followed by Child Protective Services agencies at the state level.

Additionally, his exposé on exorbitant collect-call phone charges for jail inmates prompted a re-negotiation of phone contracts at the Outagamie County jail, and further action at the state level.

Dan's passion extended beyond his career. He served as a substitute teacher in the Lodi, Baraboo, and DeForest School Districts post-retirement, nurturing the minds of the next generation. He was also a dedicated member of the City of Lodi Utilities Commission and the Fox Valley Transit Commission, actively contributing to the betterment of his community.

An avid Civil War enthusiast, Dan founded and served as the past president of the King Civil War Round Table, an organization dedicated to sharing knowledge about the Civil War. He and Susan were Civil War reenactors for 15 years, where Dan brought history to life as the abolitionist preacher, Henry Ward Beecher. As Reverend Beecher, he conducted presentations at events throughout the state. Dan was also a proud member of the Sons of Union Veterans, a nationwide organization open to descendants of Civil War soldiers.

Beyond his professional and historical pursuits, Dan had a heart for service. He chaperoned groups of young people for the Appalachia Service Project, volunteered for Outagamie County Volunteers in Offender Services, and served as a volunteer tutor for the Fox Valley Literacy Council.

In 1970, he enlisted in the Army National Guard. After completing active duty at Ft. Ord, California, he served for six years in various units, including the Wisconsin National Guard, the Colorado National Guard, and the 310th Field Army Support Command, U.S.A.R. in Washington, D.C.

In retirement, Dan pursued his hobby of photography, capturing the world's beauty through his lens. He and Sue loved playing board games and never missed one of their 5 o'clock happy-hour scrabble sessions. They kept a running 'winners board' on a chalkboard in the kitchen.

Daniel E. Wilson's passing is a loss felt deeply by his family, friends, and the community he served tirelessly. He leaves behind a legacy of journalistic integrity, a passion for history, humor and a commitment to making the world a better place. His memory will live on in the hearts of all those who had the privilege of knowing him.

Dan is survived by his wife, Susan Wilson, daughter Rebecca Towne, son Andrew Wilson, and five talented grandchildren: Atticus, Solomon, Asher, and Elias Towne, and Evelyn Wilson.

A celebration of Dan's life will be held on Friday, November 3rd, 2023 at the indoor center located at Gordon Bubolz Nature Preserve at 4815 N Lynndale Drive in Appleton, WI, where he loved taking photos and teaching his grandson photography skills.  The celebration of life, like Dan, will be light-hearted with an open house from 4:00-6:00 PM and sharing of stories from 6:00-7:00 PM.

In consideration of limited space, we kindly ask that you refrain from sending flowers. Instead, if you wish to honor Dan, we would greatly appreciate your cards, thoughts, and memories that can be shared with our family. Your presence and condolences mean the world to us, and we thank you for understanding our request. Cards can be mailed to Susan Wilson, 16 Duchess Ct, Appleton, WI 54914.

Daniel E. Wilson was a wonderful man and a true servant of his community. He will be deeply missed but never forgotten. May he rest in eternal peace.