Daniel P. VandeWynkel

Tuesday, November 14, 2006

Daniel P. VandeWynkel, 64, of Fort Scott, Kan., died at the Mercy Health Center Saturday morning, Nov. 11, 2006.

He was born on May 19, 1942, in Sioux City, Iowa, the son of John A. and Betty Jane Phillips VandeWynkel. Dan grew up in Fort Scott, and graduated from Fort Scott High School and Fort Scott Community College. He earned his bachelor's, master's, and specialist in education from Pittsburg State University. In college, he was a member of Psi Chi National Honor Society and Phi Delta Kappa Professional Fraternity.

Dan was an active staff member of Fort Scott Community College for nearly 30 years. While there, he held a variety of positions, working as director of counseling and retention, and most recently as psychology Instructor before his retirement. While at FSCC, Dan was deeply involved in the rodeo program. In 2005, the alumni rodeo was dedicated to him and is now known as the Dan VandeWynkel Alumni Rodeo. In 2006 he was named FSCC Outstanding Alumnus.

Prior to his years at FSCC, he was owner/operator of Fort Scott Home Furnishings and EFD District Truck Line.

He was a member of the Cherry Grove Baptist Church where he served as deacon for several years. Dan had a great love for his students, his horses, and most importantly, his family.

Survivors include his wife, Brenda VandeWynkel of the home; two daughters, Daniele McKee and her husband, Rex of Shamrock, Texas and Kelly VandeWynkel of the home, a son, Ryan VandeWynkel of Chicago, Ill., grandsons, Wes, Clint and Zane McKee of Shamrock, Texas; a sister, JohnnyLynn Williams and her husband, Randy, of Crescent, Iowa; his parents-in-law, John and Pat Heckadon of Nevada, Mo., two brothers-in law; Jack and his wife Judy Heckadon of Nevada, and John and his wife Stephanie Heckadon of Grass Valley, Calif.; a sister-in-law, Pam, and her husband, Dwayne Ferris, of Nevada, and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, and his first wife, Donna.

Dale Cummins and the Rev. R.B. Shoemaker will conduct funeral services along with Jim Miesner at 10 a.m., on Tuesday, Nov. 13, in the Fort Scott Community College gymnasium. Burial will be in the Evergreen Cemetery under the direction of the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home. Memorials may be made to either the VandeWynkel Family Scholarship at the Fort Scott Community College or the Cherry Grove Baptist Church, donations may be sent to, or left with the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home, 15 W. Wall St., P.O. Box 309, Fort Scott, Kansas 66701. Online condolences may be e-mailed to expressions@konantz-cheney.com