Daniel Leo Gladieux peacefully went to eternal life with the Lord on October 26th, 2022, lovingly surrounded by his family. His passing was the result of a tragic accident at home. He was born to Leo and Anna Yavorsky Gladieux on January 19, 1946. His non-stop, positive, energetic lifestyle earned him the affectionate nickname "Dan the Man." After graduating from Central Catholic High School in 1964, he started his career at Gladieux Coal/Coal & Lumber/Lumber & Supply/ProHardware/Do-It-Best. This Oregon family business was founded in 1938 by his dad, Leo, and Leo's cousin Herb. Dan's career was interrupted by his service in the U.S. Navy during the Viet Nam War. Upon returning home he married Paula Jean Kollarik, truly the love of his life. He enjoyed fast cars, his motorcycles, boating on Lake Erie, and skiing in Northern Michigan.

A life-long member of St. Thomas Aquinas Parish, he was known to do volunteer maintenance and repairs at the church. At Gladieux's, he was a building material estimator and sales person. He designed homes, pole barns, or whatever the customer wanted. The company also built homes for sale, providing the Oregon market's need for quality with affordable luxury. He was "hands on" in the field, working with contractors. After several subdivisions they built condominiums. Every task he did was quality workmanship. If Dan did it, you knew it was right!

True to his home-building roots, he designed and built three homes for his family, each bigger than the previous. Upon retirement in 2010 he and Paula moved to Vero Beach, Florida, where he continued the generous use of his skills: he upgraded his Knights of Columbus Hall (he was a Fourth Degree Knight); he built homes with Habitat For Humanity; and he ushered at church. As a member of an American Legion Post and Post Riders, he did many 100+ mile motorcycle rides for charity.

Dan's humor was always enjoyed. Without disparaging anyone, he saw the humor in a situation, and kept us laughing. He and Paula loved hosting family and friends who visited on vacation. While at their home, they made you feel like you were at a 5-Star Resort! In all Dan did, you knew he had the Spirit of the Lord inside of him. Dan's presence just made you feel better!

Left to cherish his memory are: Paula, his wife of 53 years; their children Mark (Laura) of Monroe MI, Tammy (Mike) Wagner of Vero Beach, David (Sarah) of Vero Beach, and Danny Paul (Brianne) of Columbus OH; his siblings Vivienne (George) Sommerfield, Susanna (John) Hrosko, Michael (Julie) Gladieux, and Jerry (Paula) Gladieux; and his grandchildren Jacob, Olivia, Mabel, Elanor and Leo Michael; plus countless brothers and sisters-in-law, nieces and nephews.

Dan wanted to return home. Visitation will be at Eggleston-Meinert-Pavley Funeral Home, Oregon Chapel, 440 S. Coy Rd., on Wednesday, November 2 from 2:00 p.m. until  8:00 p.m., with a service by The Knights of Columbus at 7:30 p.m. The Mass of Resurrection will be held on Thursday, November 3 at Epiphany of the Lord St. Thomas Aquinas, 729 White Street, Toledo, officiated by Fr. Al Ceranowski, at 11:00 a.m., followed by burial in St. Ignatius Cemetery. To make a donation in Dan's memory, the family suggests the Gary Sinise Foundation, which builds homes for veterans.