Obituary of Daniel Jay Van Wagner

Daniel Jay Van Wagner of Labelle, FL, passed away peacefully on July 8, 2023 at the age of 78, with his wife by his side.

Daniel was born on April 13, 1945 in Norwich NY to the parents of Jay Van Wagner and Alice Satterlee Van Wagner in Norwich, NY.  Daniel leaves behind his loving wife, Rosalyn Charlotte Stringer whom he married on August 31, 1963.  Those that predeceased Danny are his parents and his brother Edward and nephew Teddy.  He has two surviving aunts – Sue Austin of Medford OR and Vivian Hull of Sherburne NY who doted on him over the years.  Daniel grew up on the family dairy farm in Sherburne, NY where he was the eldest of five siblings – Edward (deceased), Fred (Edith) Van Wagner of Sherburne NY, Alice (Danny) Scott of Gilbert AZ, and Lois Van Wagner of Norwich NY.  This farming life instilled in him the importance of hard work and he worked hard his whole life as a dairy farmer, trapper, hunter, mechanic, well-driller, land clearer (he cleared all of EPCOT), and welder (he was pretty proud that his welded rock separator went to the moon).  In High School, he was a member of the FFA, and baked blackberry pies that were blue ribbon winners at the county fair.  He also assisted with the production of Maple Syrup while on the farm.  He loved hunting and trapping beaver, muskrat, pigs, and bobcats.  He could descent a skunk and brought many of them home for kids to keep as pets.  He skinned hundreds of deer over his years and provided meat for families through the winter.  Many of times, he brought home abandoned baby coons, skunks, possums, deer, and pigs for his family to bottle raise. He loved berry picking and did that at every chance – on the NY farm, at River Ranch, or beside the road in Wyoming.  Danny moved his family from upstate NY to “go south” in 1975.  The car broke down in SC where he found work welding and drilling wells, and eventually in 1980 made it to Florida where he cleared land for Agritiller (now Phillip & Jordan) and settled in LaBelle.  He cleared much of Port LaBelle, many acres for orange groves, cattle pastures, housing developments, and even theme parks across the state of Florida.  He cleared land in Alabama, New Mexico, and Texas.  He not only cleared the land, but once the machinery was uniquely designed and patented by his boss (John Edwards), he would build it, repair it, and model its ability at big equipment shows.  Daniel retired in 2005 and took two “once in a lifetime” trips to Yellowstone where he enjoyed every second.  Old Faithful did not fail to amaze, along with the elk, bear, moose, and all the other wildlife and sights. Since retiring, Daniel has enjoyed receiving company, traveling to relatives houses out of state, tending the yard, and holding grandbabies and great grandbabies.  He loved holding the babies. Daniel’s wish is to be cremated and put to rest in his grandmother’s coffee pot that has been painted with hunting scenery by a dear friend.  He kept his wit and humor mixed with sarcasm right up to the day of passing.  He was unapologetically real, and an authentic countryman.  This earthly world has lost a true and rare character.  A loving father, grandpa, and big brother who cherished his mom, grandma, and wife as he gifted them with flowers (gladiolas, lilies, and others), molasses, cane syrup, pecans and many other trinkets.  

Daniel and Rosalyn have five children – Barbara (Wayne) Mundy, Tim (Beth) Van Wagner, Michael (Denise) Van Wagner, Peggy (Frank) Batson, and Scott (Delores) Van Wagner whom all reside in LaBelle.  They have 13 grandchildren: Necole (Luis) Marquez, Natasha (Arthur) Carnes, Matthew (Danielle) Mundy, Cory (Ashley) Mundy, Sandra Van Wagner, Tim (Rachael) Van Wagner, Leah (Cody) Alvarez, Jason (Shannon) Church, Bradley Church, Gary (Kristina) Church, Scott Van Wagner, Joshua Van Wagner, and Sindie (Chuck) Maxwell.  They have 30 great grandchildren – Bryon, Emily, Ashton, Gracie, Averi, Cecil, Matthew, Michael, Madelynn, Elias, Amelia, Hazel, Marlowe, Joey, Jesse, Jocelyn, Harper, Rosie, Timmy, Remy, Hayden, Aurelia, Atalie, Elliot, Serenity, Sean, Skyler, Whitnee, Aubrey, Kelsie, and soon Everly.  He has many nieces, nephews, cousins and other family and friends that will miss him dearly.  

A celebration of life and family get together will take place at a later date.