Daniel Wilfred Sadler

Daniel “Dan” Wilfred Sadler, 78, of Elizabeth, IL, passed away peacefully on September 18, 2025, surrounded by his loving family.

Born April 5, 1947, in Galena, IL, Dan was the son of Wilfred and Genevieve (Hickie) Sadler. He grew up in Elizabeth, where he spent his entire life rooted in family, hard work, and community. He graduated from Elizabeth High School in 1965.

On July 26, 1969, Dan married the love of his life, Sheila (Wohlford) Sadler, at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church in Freeport, IL. Together they built a family filled with love, resilience, and devotion.
Dan was a dedicated dairy farmer until 1986, when he transitioned into plumbing, a trade he practiced until his retirement in 2008. He was a proud member of the United Association of Plumbers Local 23.

Known for his tireless work ethic and knack for tinkering, he loved figuring out how things worked, solving problems, tending to his garden, and playing countless games of euchre with dear friends. In his younger years, Dan also enjoyed playing both fast- and slow-pitch softball, as well as town league basketball and volleyball.

Dan was also deeply involved in his community. He served 25 years on the Elizabeth Fair Board, was a member of the Elizabeth School Board, a past president of the River Ridge School Board, trustee of the Elizabeth Methodist Church, and an active member of the Farm Bureau and Young Farmers. His leadership and dedication left a lasting mark on the community he loved.

Dan had a great sense of humor, a quick wit, and always made people laugh. Whenever scolded by his loving wife, his response was always “yes dear” with a silly smirk, a line that brought laughter and love into everyday life.

Above all, family meant everything to Dan. He deeply loved his wife, four children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and honorary family. He carried the pain of losing his daughter, Sara, in 2018, but remained a source of strength and courage for his family as he bravely fought multiple sclerosis since his diagnosis in 2006. In recent years, he also suffered from chronic heart disease, which led to multiple hospital stays in the last couple of months, yet he faced each challenge with perseverance and quiet strength.

Dan is survived by his wife of 56 years, Sheila; children Scott (Kathy) Sadler of Elizabeth, IL, Lori (Joe) Sledzik of Round Lake, IL, and Karie (Leo) Levesque of Richmond Hill, GA; son-in-law Jeff Schoenhaar of Hanover, IL; grandchildren Jessica (Russel) Prier, Dylan (Amber) Sadler, Jarrett Schoenhaar (and friend Allie Whight), Landon Wilcox, Keagan Schoenhaar, Mason Wilcox, Logan Sledzik, and Connor Sledzik; great-grandchildren Declan Sadler, Derek Sadler, and Charlotte Prier; and honorary daughters Heidi Ries and Michelle Spranger, along with honorary grandchildren Huntleigh Young and Parker Young.

He is also survived by his sisters Judy Love and Diane (Barry) Strohacker, as well as many in-laws, nieces, nephews, and extended family. He was preceded in death by his parents; his daughter, Sara Schoenhaar; granddaughter, Skylar Michelle Sadler; sister Joan Maltry; father-in-law Delbert Wohlford; mother-in-law Edith Wohlford; and brothers-in-law Charles Maltry, Charles Love, David Wohlford, and Randy Wohlford.

Dan’s legacy is one of love, laughter, perseverance, and devotion. His family and friends will remember him as a husband, dad, grandpa, great-grandpa, and friend whose greatest joy was being surrounded by those he loved.

Funeral services will be held at Elizabeth Methodist Church on Saturday, September 27, at 11:00 a.m. Visitation will begin at 9:00 a.m. at the church. A luncheon will follow the service in the church basement. Cremation rites will be accorded.