Final Salute

Daniel Marion Keusal, Sr., age 92, passed away peacefully on May 7, 2025 in Matthews, North Carolina. Dan was born in Chicago IL on March 14th, 1933 to parents Adeline (Zaborowski) and Frank Keusal. He attended St. Bonaventure Grade School and St. George High School. He graduated from the University of Illinois in 1955, the first in his family to earn a college degree. Dan then served as a “Seabee” in the U.S. Navy from late 1955 to 1957, stationed in Kwajalien and Okinawa, before returning to the University of IL to earn a Master’s of Science in Civil Engineering in 1958.

That same year he married Susan Shilgalis, who would be the love of his life for 54 years. Dan worked as a civil engineer, home builder, and land developer over the course of his career. He and Susan had two sons before moving their family to Maryland in 1966, where they went on to have three daughters. He was a devoted husband, a proud father, an entrepreneur, and an avid Washington Redskins fan. He remained in Maryland for nearly 40 years before retiring and moving with Susan to North Carolina in 2002, in search of warmer weather and proximity to family. Dan was active in St. Martin’s Catholic Church in Maryland, devoting much of his time to being on the Parish Council and serving as a Eucharistic Minister and an usher. He was also later a faithful member of St. Gabriel’s Catholic Church in Charlotte.

In retirement, Dan enjoyed traveling to Europe, writing books of poetry, playing chess and collecting chess sets from all over the world, and most of all spending time with his children and grandchildren. He never stopped asking what he could do for his family, and was incredibly generous with his time and his assets.

Dan was preceded in death by his brothers Frank Jr (1937) and Gene (2006), by his wife Susan (2012), by his daughter-in-law Kirsten (2017), and by his great-grandson Walker (2023). He is survived by three sisters: Mary Keusal, Sister of Providence, of West Terre Haute IN; Pamela (Bob) Hieger of St Louis MO; and Nancy (Rick Voell) Shekem of Kenosha WI. He is also survived by his five children: Dan Keusal of Seattle WA, Andy (Andrea) Keusal of Orient OH, Amy (John) Girardot of Aurora IL, Jennifer (Bill) Borda of Charlotte NC, and Sarah (Scott) Bielecki of Cumberland RI. Dan’s legacy also included his beloved 19 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren: Amanda (James) Woo, Corinne Keusal, Hannah Keusal, Matthew Keusal, Mark Keusal, Luke Keusal, Abigail Keusal, Keziah Keusal, Geneva Keusal, and Bethany Keusal of OH; Alec (Brittany Edwards) Vanthournout, Ben (Lauren) Vanthournout (parents of Brooklyn, Graham and Kaylee Vanthournout) and Andy (Eileen) Vanthournout of IL; Hank Borda, Susie Borda, Annie Borda, and Sadie Borda of NC; and Lucy Bielecki and Ted Bielecki of RI. Dan wished to be remembered first and foremost as a loving husband, father, and grandfather. He valued his faith and his family above all else.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Shady Grove Pregnancy Center in Gaithersburg, MD: 16220 Frederick Rd, #118, Gaithersburg, MD, 20877.

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