Dan Pautler

Dan was born on December 1, 1921, in Murphysboro, Illinois, to Albert Joseph Pautler and Ida (Schnier) Pautler. Growing up in Murphysboro, he attended St. Andrew School, where he would later be recognized as Graduate of the Year. He graduated from Murphysboro Township High School in 1939. He worked at his father's grocery store at the corner of the Court House square, before serving in the U.S. Army during World War II. Dan met Phyllis Register in Durham, NC while he was in the Army, and the couple was married on August 30, 1947. They soon moved back to Murphysboro and were married for 64 years. Phyllis continues to live in Murphysboro. After the War, Dan used his GI Bill benefits to attend St. Louis University where he graduated in 1948 with a degree in accounting. He came back to Murphysboro to work for thirty five years at Murphysboro Supply Company, which he would eventually purchase. Dan was a very active member of St. Andrew Catholic Church, where he served on the finance committees of both the St. Andrew Church Board and the St. Andrew School Board. He was a 4th Degree Knight of the Knights of Columbus # 499. In his later years, Dan enjoyed attending Fr. Roger Karban's Saturday morning Scripture classes at Newman Catholic Student Center in Carbondale and an ecumenical Bible Study Group on Wednesday mornings. He was a very energetic member of the Murphysboro Chamber of Commerce, where he served on the Murphysboro Pride Committee. Dan did such things as spearhead efforts to place flower planters in Murphysboro's downtown, applied political pressure to get a sign on Highway 57 to direct travelers to Murphysboro, and worked to build an attractive new sign welcoming visitors into town. Dan served as Chairman of the United Way, and he helped to develop the Jackson county YMCA. He was a member of the American Legion Post # 127, and he served on the boards of both S.T.A.R.T. and the John A. Logan Foundation. He was active in the hospital fund drive. He was known for being very dedicated to every committee on which he served. He would later be named Murphysboro Man of the Year, and he was the Grand Marshall of the Apple Festival Parade in 2008. After he retired, Dan spent much time visiting the sick in their homes, in the hospital, and in nursing homes, bringing a smile, a kind word of encouragement, and his signature milk shake. Other survivors include four children, David Pautler and his wife Jerri Pautler of Hilton Head Island, SC, Mark Pautler and his wife Darlene Pautler, Beth Hall and her husband Joe Pickard, all of Murphysboro, and Steve Pautler and his wife Jennifer Pautler of Palatine, IL; Dan is also survived by seven grandchildren, Sonja Reiman, Amy Dewey, Danny Hall, Katie Williams, Michael Pautler, Adam Pautler, and Will Pautler; and seven great grandchildren Tyler Reiman, Ashley Oetjen, Courtney Oetjen, Timmy Reiman, Haley Williams, Luke Hall, and Elizabeth Williams. He was also helped in his last two years by care givers Tracy Mapps and Phyllis Woody. He was preceded in death by five brothers Kenneth, Clement, Norbert, Charles, and Helmuth Pautler, two sisters Alberta Pautler and Irma Long, and his parents.

Dan Pautler

December 1, 1921 - February 6, 2012