Daniel C. Covic Sr., age 89, a resident of Wheaton, IL, went to be in the loving arms of Jesus, his Savior on Tuesday, February 8, 2022.  He was born September 26, 1932 in Zagreb, Croatia to Carl and Paula Covic.

Dan and his father bravely and clandestinely fled communist Yugoslavia in 1954, and after spending three years working in Germany, came to America to begin a new life. His parents and brother followed two years later. He met the love of his life, Holly, at the Aragon Ballroom in Chicago in 1959, and they married in June 1960.

Dan was employed at several odd jobs until 1959, when he was hired as a laborer at Wisconsin Steel located on Chicago's southeast side. He trained himself over the next few years to become an electrician (more precisely an armature winder), and frequently declined management positions at the plant since he was more interested in spending time with his family. The mill closed abruptly in 1980, forcing him to seek new employment at age 50. Due to his adeptness, perseverance, and tenacity, he was hired as an instrument electrician at the Amoco (now BP Petroleum) refinery in Whiting, Indiana and retired in 1996.

Dan and Holly spent the next several years traveling in Europe, especially his beloved Croatia, where family members still reside. Unfortunately, Holly's death in 2005 temporarily ceased his travels for several years, and he returned on numerous occasions, one of them with Renata.

Dan was a committed father and later, grandparent. During his children's early years, he was a Cub Scout den leader, Little League baseball coach (although he initially wasn't knowledgeable of the game), and band parent member, and always made time playing sports with his sons and neighborhood boys. While in their teens, Dan and Holly took their children on many distant and exciting vacations. That legacy continues with his children.

He was preceded in death by his wife,  Holly Covic  and his parents. Surviving him are his sons,  Daniel Covic, Jr (Laurie), and Peter Covic (Griselda), his grandchildren: Brandon, Natalia, Kelly, and Sara, his great-grandchildren: Hailey, Savannah, and Sophie, his brother: Ned Covic (Mary), many nieces and nephews, and  Renata, his girlfriend for the last 15 years.

The Covic family wants to thank Pastor Chad Kendall of St. John Lutheran Church; Bernadette from AllBest Home Health; Jennifer, physical therapist; and the staffs of Central DuPage Hospital and Seasons Hospice Care for their warmth and care.

A visitation will be held on Friday, February 11, 2022 from 4 to 8 p.m. at Hultgren Funeral Home, 304 N. Main St., Wheaton, IL 60187. A funeral service will be held on Saturday, February 12, at 10:00 a.m. at St. John Lutheran Church, Main St. and Franklin, Wheaton. Interment will follow at Assumption Cemetery in Wheaton.

For more information, please call Hultgren Funeral Home at 630-668-0027.