Daniel L. Kirchgessner, 80, of Galesburg, Illinois, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, at home following a lengthy illness. His family was by his side.
Dan was born on September 6, 1945, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, the son of Bernard and Florence (Foster) Kirchgessner. He graduated from Abingdon High School in 1963. He attended trade school in Omaha, Nebraska, and then became a union plumber working on many projects including the construction of Knox County Nursing Home and Cordova Nuclear Plant. In 1972, he opened Kirchgessner Plumbing & Heating in Abingdon, and he built his business with many fond memories of lifelong customers and projects. Dan was instrumental in the development of Oak Run. He was proud of the fact that his company installed the water main on the north side of the lake. He retired in 2017 to spend more time with family and his many hobbies.
Dan married Nancy Clutts and had two children, Gregory (Beth) Kirchgessner of Abingdon, Illinois, and Gayla (Dan) Hicks of Galesburg, Illinois. Dan later married Susan Hicks Searl; their family grew by three: Jason (Chrissy) Searl of Wichita, Kansas, Jennifer (Jeff) Palleschi and Jodi (Scott) Searl, both of Vero Beach, Florida.
Dan was a faithful member of the Catholic Church. Dan lived life to the fullest with many hobbies. He loved to go on long bicycle rides, camping, snow skiing and hiking in Colorado, the Indy 500, competitive figure skating later in life, and vacationing with family.
Dan is survived by his children; his sister, Joyce Ferris of Tucson, Arizona; grandchildren, Cara, Joseph, Lillian, Mary, Jason, Thomas, Matthew, Gabriella, and Sabrina; and great-grandchildren, Preston and Brayden. He was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, Gerald Kirchgessner; his wife Susan; and many beloved friends and extended family members.
The Rosary will be prayed at 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 7, 2026, at Hinchliff-Pearson-West Funeral and Cremation Services of Galesburg. Visitation will follow from 5 to 7 p.m. Funeral Mass will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday, April 8, 2026, at Corpus Christi Catholic Church. Burial will follow in Abingdon Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Costa Catholic Academy or the Alzheimer’s Association. Online condolences and memories may be shared at www.h-p-w.com.
