Dan Sadler, Jr. Passes Away

 Our ward is losing so many wonderful people.  This one was a total shock.  Dan was so healthy- walking his dog Ludo every morning and often spending his afternoons hiking as he was a nature photographer. He died from blood clots in his lungs triggered by a medication he was on. 

 He was so friendly, kind and so funny.  He had such a quick wit. We loved being around Dan. He served as the ward financial clerk, but it was he who I would call when I needed a substitute to teach gospel doctrine.  He was an excellent teacher and friend and had a deep and abiding testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Dan had a beautiful bass voice.  He sang with the St. George Chamber singers.  But he also was at ward choir practice every week.  He truly was the anchor of our choir and we are floundering to prepare for Christmas without him. He was always willing to use his talent to serve.  He sang in special groups for ward and stake functions, and did so willingly.  He always said yes.

Ken hiked with Dan a few times.  This was the Mill Flat hike with Brian, Jared (our nephew), and Dan.

Daniel Charles Sadler Jr.

October 19, 1954 — November 18, 2023

St. George, Utah

 

Daniel Charles Sadler, Jr., 69, loving son, husband, father, grandfather, friend, and all around amazing human being, ascended to his heavenly home on November 18, 2023 in St. George, Utah.

 

Born October 19, 1954 in Bangor, Maine to Daniel Charles Sadler, Sr. and Charlotte Sadler, Dan was a good apple that his father said fell far from the tree, but was the apple of his mother’s eye. Dan grew up with his two brothers, Don and Dee, near Pittsburgh, PA, graduated from Mt. Lebanon High School, served a full time mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Frankfurt, Germany, earned a Bachelor of Arts from Brigham Young University, and was an Advertising Sales Executive for the Pittsburgh Press, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, and Beaver County Times.

 

Dan was an active member of the LDS church and served in many callings, not least of all was his time as a Boy Scout Leader. Over the years he taught scores of young men outdoor skills, character development, and how to time a well-crafted pun. As an avid lover of nature, he spent as much time as possible outdoors, including as a very talented nature photographer, member of the Allegheny Mountain Rescue Group, geocacher, and hiker. Dan was also an event photographer for the Huntsman World Senior Games.

 

Dan loved all forms of music, from Amadeus to Zappa. He began singing in children’s choirs at the age of 8, played trombone for twelve years in school concert and jazz bands, brass choirs and orchestras, performed in a number of local choirs and plays, and spent many years as a baritone and Board Member of the St. George Chamber Singers. His appreciation for listening to and performing music lives on in his children and grandchildren.

 

Yet, with all of Dan’s many talents and callings, his legacy will be one of humanity. His kindness, affable nature, and willingness to serve will forever be his most endearing qualities. His sense of humor, quick wit, and ability to make others laugh will be his most memorable. Dan is known to always be ready with a helping hand or a snappy quip - even to the eye-rolling and exasperated sighs of those who were closest to him and had to put up with his incessant puns (which we secretly loved and will miss immensely.) His love of The Three Stooges, Monty Python, Mel Brooks, and Mystery Science Theater 3000 will live on in his progeny and will be watched in his honor in perpetuity.

 

And most important of all (according to his children and for the sake of their existence), was his marriage to the love of his life and eternal companion, Karen Whitehead, in Manti, Utah on April 22, 1977. They went on to create three amazing, phenomenal, spectacular children who to this day continue to give them much grief, consternation, and an expression synonymous with “posterior discomfort.” Despite their children, Dan and Karen lived a life full of loving companionship, celebrating the good times and weathering the difficult times as partners who were always there for one another. Their love for each other was their greatest gift and example to their children, grandchildren, and anyone who spent time in their home.

 

Dan is survived by his loving wife, Karen; his boon companion of 12 years, Ludo; father, Daniel Sadler Sr.; brother, Dee Sadler; children: Seth and Shanalee Sadler of Eagle Mountain UT, Meg Barber of Freedom PA, and Brittany and Josh Atkins of Bridgewater PA; grandchildren: Kyleigh, Grant, Gabby, Evan, Marley, and Dylan; and many family and friends who loved him dearly.

 

Dan is preceded in death by his mother, Charlotte Sadler, and brother, Don Sadler.

A Celebration of Life service for Dan will take place Saturday, November 25 at 12 pm at 750 Fort Pierce Dr. N, St. George, UT 84790, with visitation starting at 11:30 am.

The funeral was held on the Saturday after Thanksgiving.  We were unable to attend because we were still in SLC with our family.  We tried to tune into it, but the link was not working.  We felt sad to miss the funeral of a good friend.  There is a hole in our ward and in our hearts.