Remembering Dan

Local leader’s death leaves large void

By Ken Harris ... Pekin Daily Times

MANITO, Ill.. — When Dan Willett passed away Thursday, he left behind a community of people grateful for all he had done as a “true promoter of the town” of Manito and as someone who was described as positively affecting everyone he met.

Willett died Thursday at the age of 50 from a bacterial infection, according to Randy Maas, director of the Maas Funeral Home in Manito. Willett was a community leader in Manito who, as a trained architect, designed the village hall and renovated a few dilapidated old buildings on the end of the town’s downtown into a beautiful winery and restaurant.

Willett’s Winery and Cellar, which Willett owned and operated with his wife Cris, was opened in 2005 — about five years after the couple began cultivating a vineyard. Willett left his full-time job as a successful architect in the early 2000s to start the vineyard, though he continued as a part-time architect throughout the years.

Todd Thompson, an area developer, worked with Willett on some revitalization efforts using buildings the men owned with Bob Sondag in Manito. According to Thompson, Willett was “an architect at heart as well as by trade.”

Thompson described Willett as someone who had a “beautiful way to look at life” and shared his boundless energy with those around him.

Willett was a very energetic man who was in the midst of designing and building a reception space between his winery and restaurant — a project profiled in the Pekin Daily Times — while the entire wine-making operation was also being upgraded to accommodate the growing demand for his product.

“We really lost one of the good guys when we lost Dan,” Thompson said. I think, from what I know of Dan, I don’t think there was any regrets. He just did it if he thought it was worthy of doing.”

Manito Village Board President Timothy Sondag said while the efforts Willett made to better the community will be missed, the man’s personality is the biggest loss.

“Mostly he’s going to be missed by people as a friend, because he was a gentle spirit,” Sondag said. “He would come to board meetings, and things that normally could be heated or frustrate people just were resolved very easily. He exuded a peacefulness.”

Willett’s efforts, however, went much further than his personal business, according to Sondag and Thompson.

“His visions always seemed to make the world a better place,” Thompson said. “They were never personally selfish ambitions. They always touched people beyond himself in a positive way.”

Sondag said Willett personally started and organized the Manito Wine Festival, which he wanted to make a Memorial Day staple. He took care of obtaining all the proper permits and everything, Sondag said.

Willett also played a crucial role in advocating to get Manito onto the Illinois River Road, which attracts vacationers.

According to Sondag, Willett was committed to the village, presenting it well and getting it “on the map.” Sondag said he is not sure how Willett’s presence could be replaced.

“It’s devastating for us, really; I’m still in shock,” Sondag said. “On a personal level, there’s all the good he did for me and how he made my life easier. A lot of people are going to have to pick up the slack. There’s so much left undone.”

Added Sondag, “You could pull out any ‘968’ number in the phone book and talk to someone who can tell you what Dan meant to us.”

In addition to his wife, Willett leaves behind three adult children — two daughters and a son. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday at the Community United Methodist Church in Manito.

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