George Daniel Kerckhoff (Dan)
George Daniel Kerckhoff (Dan) of St. Louis, MO, was born on April 13, 1944, to Madalynne and Irven Kerckhoff. He passed away on December 28, 2025, after an 8-year journey with Frontotemporal Dementia {FTD}. He was 81 years old. Dan was a cherished husband, father, stepfather, grandfather, great-grandfather, uncle, and cousin. His presence will be deeply missed.
Dan was employed at Tubular Steel for 37 years. “I’m off to save the world for steel” was his favorite phrase when talking about or leaving for work. Dan served in the army and was a decorated Vietnam veteran. When he retired, Dan volunteered at Jefferson Barracks with the veterans. He was dedicated to supporting fellow veterans and making meaningful connections. Dan was an avid gardener and enjoyed keeping up his rose garden. He was most proud of his two-toned and lavender roses as well as his pristine lawn. Dan loved sports, especially baseball. He dedicated many years to coaching CYC sports, specifically basketball and soccer, at his children’s school. He was a member of the Genealogy Society and spent countless hours researching his family tree. Dan loved music especially the Moody Blues, Eric Clapton, and John Denver. In his last years, music therapy assisted in comforting him. He always responded when the music therapist played Donna and his song, Can’t Help Falling in Love, by Elvis.
Dan is survived by the love of his life, Donna, of 28 years, his daughter, Julie Grana (Dominic), his sons, Mark Kerckhoff, Drew Kerckhoff (Nancy), Daniel Kerckhoff (Marife), Michael Kerckhoff (Amy), Andy Avers (Malana), stepdaughter, Angie Farrell (Nick), stepson, Tim Bauer, 12 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother.
Funeral arrangements: There will be visitation on Wednesday, January 14th in the vestibule at St. Francis of Assisi Church located at 4556 Telegraph Road 63129 from 9:00am to 10:00am. Mass will follow immediately after at 10:00am. A live stream of mass will be available at http://sfastl.org/live. Dan will be interred with military honors at Jefferson Barracks at 11:30 am.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Dan’s memory to K9s for Warriors, which provides service dogs to disabled veterans.
Thoughts and prayers with the Kerckhoff family. I grew up down the street and was friends with Drew and Danny from grade school through early high school until the family move off Burgen Ave. Although he had a full plate taking care of his own clan of kids after his divorce, Mr. Kerckhoff always let me come around and never said no to his boys asking if I could stay for dinner, spend the night or even go somewhere like the movies or one of their ball games. I really appreciated him for that all these years and I will always remember him as being a hard working father doing everything he could to take care of his family. Being older now and having kids of my own, I don’t know how he kept it together, but I appreciate him even more now for how he treated me as one of his own. RIP Mr. Kerckhoff and thank you. <3