Daniel Stanley Malicki, 65, passed away at his home on Tuesday, December 22, 2020.
Dan was born in South Bend, Indiana on January 12, 1955 to Stanley Malicki and Helen LaFree Malicki of Crumstown. He attended New Prairie High School where he competed in basketball, held many receiving records in football and graduated in 1973. He continued his education at Purdue North Central, where he played intercollegiate basketball, and graduated from Purdue University in West Lafayette in 1977 with a BS degree in Industrial Management.
Dan began his career as a Supervisor at Young Door in 1977. After their purchase by Jeld-Wen, Dan enjoyed career advancements and ultimately served as President of the Door Group, managing door manufacturing facilities around the world. Dan’s work family included many talented close friends.
Dan married Janis McGee in 1981 and supported her with his love and strength during their 39-year marriage. As an only child, Dan cherished his two daughters and his close relationship with them – one his partner in anything Notre Dame, and the other his irreverent, witty clone. He had a loving relationship with Janis’ parents whom he considered his own. He was close to his brothers-in-law and bonded with them during hunting trips and sports. He was also fortunate to have three childhood friends who were like brothers.
Dan had a lifelong love of sports. If he was home the TV was on and tuned to ESPN. He may have been a Purdue Alumni, but he was THE ND supporter – sometimes irritating opposing fans with his ardor.
Dan spent his leisure time collecting Ducks Unlimited Sponsor prints, toy tractors, and Terry Redlin prints. He was content in retirement to stay close to home and visit with family and friends, especially via cell phone. He loved the outdoors, chocolate labs, his family farm and Bud Light. He had a quick wit, self-deprecating sense of humor and never lacked for an opinion.
Dan was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by wife, Janis; daughters Caitlin and Carlin; Brothers-in-law John (Sharon), Wayne (Cheryl) and Tom (Susan) McGee; and beloved nieces and nephew.
A time of gathering to honor Dan will be held at Johnson-Danielson Funeral Home, 1100 N. Michigan Street, Plymouth, on Tuesday, December 29, 2020 from 11-1pm and from 5-7pm with a Memorial Service at 7pm. A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.
Memorial contributions can be made to Ducks Unlimited, Inc., One Waterfowl Way, Memphis, Tennessee, USA 38120 or Pheasants Forever, Inc., 1783 Buerkle Circle, St. Paul, MN 55110.
PLEASE NOTE: For your protection, the entire funeral home staff will wear masks. It is mandated that family members and their guests do so as well.
Please click the link below to join the live stream of the service:
Bonnie Duell says
So sorry for your loss. Dan was a great friend to Ted and I. He will be greatly missed.
Clarence “Geno” Onstott says
I am so sorry for your loss. I always enjoyed working with Dan on the door side for 10 years. Many good times! My prayers are with the entire family. May God bless Dan with open arms at the pearly gates!
Ray Uhlig says
Janis and family, We’re so sorry to hear of Dan’s passing. Please know that you’re all in our thoughts and prayers at this difficult time. God’s speed Dan, R.I.P.
Ray & Tanya Uhlig
Gene & Linda Matzat says
Janis, Caitlin, Carlin and extended family,
Our sincere condolences and sympathy on Dan’s passing. We hope that you can find peace in Jesus’ promise of resurrection and life in Him. Cherish the many good memories of Dan during his time with you.
Gene & Linda Matzat
Steve & Jeannie Cooreman says
Dan was in Our wedding 40 years ago. He had a heart of gold and and if you needed a friend he would be there. He was one of the most brilliant guys I knew and I was proud to be his friend. Janis and the girls are thoughts are with you and may you have peace knowing that he truly was a good man
Sarah J Rippy says
Janis and girls: I’m sorry to hear about the death of Dan. May you feel the comfort and peace of God’s love during this most difficult time.
Sarah Rippy
Scott wilcox says
Sorry to hear Janis. Dan will be missed by many. I will share this with his Wisconsin friends
Sean Broker says
Dear Malicki family – Sean and I both had the pleasure to work with Dan across the years at Jeld-Wen. We are so sorry for your loss and touched by your memories, especially ND vs Purdue!!! As mid-westerners now (formerly from Oregon) we know how serious that is! Gift to Ducks unlimited in memory of Dan. -Sean and Kelly Broker; Sanford, MI
Gregg Biggins says
We enjoyed knowing dan, and his buddies , co workers on his many pheasant hunting trips to South Dakota. He will be missed by many. Condolences from Biggins Hunting Service. Gregg Be and family
Keith Kultgen says
Janis, Caitlin and Carlin,
Were so sorry to hear of Dan’s passing. I had the great pleasure of working with Dan at JELD-WEN. However, my best memories are of our hunting trips in South Dakota. Dan was a great man who will be missed by many. Keeping all of you in our thoughts and prayers.
Keith & Michelle Kultgen
Sulphur Springs, TX
Norma Ross says
Dear family & friends of Dan “Malick”—
Saw the news of Dan’s passing on Facebook, could hardly believe it! Dan, Craig— “Brownie”, Bobby, Jim “Fly”, Steve— you guys were so much a part of those crazy high school and college years! I remember it like yesterday, the parties, the beer polkas, the basketball games, the weddings, Dan’s mother’s funeral… How quickly the years passed. Dan was a great guy, reliable, so smart, quick witted, a deep thinker, a great friend to his guys and kind to all of us. I know he will be deeply missed by them and by many others, and, most especially, by his loving wife and daughters. I pray
God bless and comfort you, that Mother Mary brings Dan close to her sacred heart!
Norma Zahrn (Ross)
Jim Essany says
Dan was a great friend and a great husband and father. He loved his two beautiful daughters very much.
I am proud to call Dan a friend. If he had a flaw it was attending Purdue and not Indiana. When I first met him at the Running Y we quickly bonded and became friends. That is how I will remember Dad. He knew no strangers. Rest In Peace my friend.
You will always be alive in my heart.
Jim
Kevin Rotello says
I didn’t know him all that well, but from what I read about him it seems like he lived an interesting life. He sounded like he was a good family man. I am glad that I am friends with and close to his daughter Caitlin. I wanted to offer my sincerest condolences and deepest sympathies to his family and friends for their tragic loss at this difficult time.
Mary Sue Crimmins says
I am so sorry to hear of Dan’s passing. My heart goes out to all the family.
I observed at an early age farm life through Dan and his folks.
Our parents were friends and would play cards together when we were young.
My best memory of Dan: We would play by the creeks at his folks farm.
The banks could be a difficult to climb up. As a city girl, a little chubby it was not an easy task.
When I got to the top, he said, “you did good, for a girl”.
My confidence soared from that simple statement.
We lost track as we got older but I vividly remember gathering eggs, playing in the silos and standing on the sides of the combine.
Please know I pray for your family.
Barbara Cole says
Janis and family
My sympathy for your loss. I am terribly sorry to hear this news. My thoughts and prayers are with you as you grieve. Losing a husband and father is not easy for any of us. I pray for you all to know many share your loss and send healing and caring to you.
God be with you.
Alan Gusek says
Janis: As a vendor who served and worked with Dan going back to 1991, we got to become friends who stayed in contact long after no longer buying our product. I appreciated Dan’s direct approach,
his analytical mind & unusual wit he never failed to inject into sometimes the most serious situations as well as unexpected moments. A very bright man & a man who’s deep-throated chuckle I’m hearing in my head this moment. I’m sorry to here he has left you & your family. I offer you and your dear daughters w/whom I last visited in your TX home some years ago, my sincere condolences. May you experience the Heavenly Father’s deep deep love through His Son in these difficult days going forward & know His blessings that are able & desirous to be delivered upon each of you.
Rod and Deb Sahlhoff Kaley says
So sorry to hear of Dan’s passing. Thoughts of you and your family are in our prayers.
Rod and Deb Kaley