Daniel Milkovich passed away peacefully at home early on February 18, 2020 at the age of 70 years, 11 months, 28 days, after a long and courageous fight with multiple health challenges. He was born on February 21, 1949 in Chicago to Steve and Virginia (Maynard) Milkovich, and was named Danny Joe. He later had his name legally changed to Daniel Joseph. Daniel lived most of his life in Chicago, where he graduated from Moody Bible Institute in 1969. He also studied psychology at the University of Chicago, intending to be pre-med. But then he had one of several "George Bailey" moments, where the trajectory of his life was significantly altered due to circumstances beyond his control. His father injured his back, and so Daniel went to work to help his him with his brick and stonework business, Steel City Masonry. Daniel was to eventually take over the business completely, upon the accidental death of his father in 1985. In fulfillment of a promise he made to his father just a few days before he died, Daniel took care of his mother from 2000, when she suffered a stroke, until her death in October 2012 at the age of 90. Daniel had twin sisters who died as newborns, and so grew up as an only child. When he was 11 years old, he went to live with his maternal grandparents Thomas and Hattie Maynard, in Pigeon Roost Hollow near Delbarton, WV. The few years he lived with them were among the happiest of his life. Daniel was a hard worker who rarely took time off. When the cold Midwestern winters made it impossible to work in Chicago, he found job opportunities in warmer climates. He worked hard and played hard, enjoying the fruits of his labors. And while he had several serious relationships, he remained a confirmed bachelor for the majority of his life. He had the rare ability to sit and talk with and relate to anyone from any walk of life, from the president of the university to the lowliest janitor or gardener. He was a keen observer of his surroundings and of people. He attended Woodstock; he hiked the Appalachian Trail from Maine to Georgia; he kayaked the Colorado River, and hiked from the top to the bottom of the Grand Canyon and back on one side and rode a horse from the top to the bottom and back on the other. He canoed the entire length of the Mississippi River; he bungee jumped, he hang glided, and he base jumped before it became a thing. When he moved to Kronenwetter and visited Rib Mountain for the first time, he desperately wanted to be able to climb to the top of the radio broadcast tower and base jump off! He had to settle for walking up to the top of the observation tower! The most terrifying, amazing and life changing journey of a lifetime began for him in April 2007, when he was diagnosed with stage IV cancer of the tongue. It was so far advanced that no one expected him to survive the month, and his elderly mother was told to go home and prepare for his funeral. But God showed him grace and mercy, and allowed him to survive the treatment, although he was not spared its side effects. Before cancer Daniel was known as the life of the party. He described himself as "quick-witted, and a terrible tease and flirt." He loved a good practical joke, and he loved to laugh until his eyes would run with tears. He would often come home from his job driving school bus and regale his wife with stories of how he had played jokes on his friends at work. Because of the damage done to his throat by the radiation, he could no longer laugh like he once could, but he never lost his sense of humor, and he could still smile, especially with his eyes and when he did, his smile could light up a dark room. And he never lost his ability to tell a good story! One of the greatest joys of his life was driving "his kids" to and from school, and he had a particularly soft place in his heart for the special needs children he took charge of. He had the heart of a servant in every situation, and volunteered for numerous organizations including Meals on Wheels, Faith in Action Aspirus Lifeline, and the Red Cross, until his health made it no longer possible to do so. He is survived by his wife Margaret (Maggie) and her children and grandchildren: Brian, Rykna, and Aria Olson of Cottage Grove, MN, Brent, Caitlin, Eilis, Gael and Raelyn Olson of Rockville, MD, Carl, Julie, Eva and Johnathan Olson of Fond du Lac, WI, and Brinne Olson of Minneapolis, MN. He is also survived by several cousins on both the Milkovich and Maynard side of his family, and many friends. Celebration of Life will be held on March 14, 2020, at Highland Commumity Church, Weston WI with Dr. Jeffrey Hinds officiating.