John “Jay” Daul, 66, Oconto Falls, died suddenly Sunday morning, Jan. 13, 2019, at St. Vincent Hospital Cardio-Vascular-Intensive-Care-Unit (CVICU), following complications from open heart surgery Jan. 4. The second-oldest of nine children was born Feb. 6, 1952, in Oconto to Francis and Joyce (Makos) Daul Sr. Jay or “J.J.” as he was known by those close to him, grew up in the Cream City area, Gillett and Oconto and attended school, graduating from Oconto High School with the class of 1970. Following graduation, he attended Mercy Medical Center School of Nursing in Oshkosh, graduating with his BSN degree. Jay furthered his education by attending Mercy Medical Center School of Anesthesia, graduating with his CRNA degree in 1979.
On Aug. 18, 1973, he married Jeannie Pagel at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Oconto. Following their marriage, the couple lived in Oshkosh and Waupun before settling in Oconto Falls where Jay worked for Community Memorial Hospital for a few years. Jay was employed for over 30 years as a CRNA at St. Mary’s Hospital in Green Bay until retiring in February 2015. He also freelanced at other hospitals in Wisconsin and Upper Michigan. Jay and Jeannie enjoyed spending time in Copper Harbor, Michigan, where they made a community of friends. Jay also enjoyed a good old fashioned or vodka tonic, cooking and grilling, following all Wisconsin sports, caring for his dogs Maggie and Lucy and being with his family and grandchildren.
Survivors are his wife of 45 years, Jeannie Daul, Oconto Falls; their three children, Amanda (Jeremiah) Plansky, Little Suamico, Jon (Jessica) Daul, Howard, and Alyssa (Robert) St. Louis, Lena; five grandchildren, twin daughters Ellei and Clare and brother Grant Plansky, and Kaitlyn and Hailey Daul; Robert’s children, Blake and Morgan St. Louis; his mother, Joyce (Skip) Eberly, Oconto; four brothers, Michael (Louise) Daul, Jim (fiancé Margie) Daul, Francis “Tony” (Pattie) Daul and Ronney Daul, all of Oconto; two sisters, Peggy Ann (Robyn) Rhode, Pound, and JoAnn (P.T.) Resch, Appleton; many aunts, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
He was preceded in death by his father, Francis Daul; his toddler sister, Susie Daul; one brother, Charles Daul; one brother-in-law, Randy Pagel; and in-laws, William “Bud” and Leitha Pagel.
Visitation will be held 3-8 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 17, 2019, at Jones Funeral Service in Oconto Falls. Visitation will continue after 9 a.m. Friday, Jan. 18, 2019, at St. Anthony Catholic Church until the time of service. Mass of Christian burial will be held 10:30 a.m. Friday, Jan. 18, 2019, at the church with the Rev. Joel Sember officiating. Burial will follow in Riverside Cemetery, Little Suamico.
The Daul family would like to thank the nurses and staff of the St. Vincent CVICU for the devoted and compassionate care given to Jay and treating him like family.
As you walk down the open road of life, one must smell the flowers, hold hands, look at the trees, eat a thimbleberry or two, laugh and embrace a dog. For you only get one seed to plant, and with a lot of love and an amazing ray of light, it is incredible what you can grow.