Daniel Janovyak

DANIEL LEE JANOVYAK

On September 11, 2023, Daniel Lee Janovyak (Bink), of Shorewood, IL, joined his forever sweetheart, Diane Lynn Janovyak (May 20, 2023), in heaven.  Dan passed away at the Northwestern Medicine Kishwaukee Hospital in Dekalb.  He was born in Joliet on September 1, 1946, to the late Stephen and Mary Louise (Bick) Janovyak.  He also was preceded in death by his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Edward and Netta (Oldani) Gladkowski.  Dan was a life long resident of Joliet, Plainfield, Channahon, and Shorewood.

Dan (Bink) is survived by the other loves of his life, his son Christopher Michael Janovyak (C.J.), daughter-in-law, Alicia (Conley) Janovyak, granddaughter River Janovyak (5 yrs.) and grandson, Rebel Janovyak (2 yrs.).  Also, his sister, Suzanne (Raymond-deceased) Spreitzer of Elwood, brother, Donald (Linda) Janovyak of Crest Hill, and sister, Lynda (Lawrence) Scheuber of Joliet, sister-in-law Joyce (Tim) Selfridge of Joliet and numerous Godchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins, and so many dear friends.

Bink graduated from St. Patrick Grade School (1960) where he was an altar boy, patrol guard, and Civic Club member.  He then graduated from Joliet Township High School (1964).  Besides making high scores on the JT bowling team, and playing lots of pool at Don Ladas’s Chalk and Cue, he excelled in his vocational woodshop classes.  He also worked for Highline Cabinets after school.  In his senior year, he designed and crafted an exceptional French Provincial bedroom suite. With this project, he earned many accolades, including being awarded first place for outstanding achievement in woodworking at the regional competition at the State Industrial Education exhibition at NIU (Dekalb) and an outstanding award achieved at the state competition at SIU (Carbondale) whereby out of 719 entries, only 87 received outstanding or firsts. Dan continued to work at Highline, while he attended and graduated from Joliet Junior College (1966).  From there, he graduated from Illinois State University (1969), achieving his goal of becoming a wood shop teacher, and making many lifelong friends.

Dan began this teaching career at the Glenwood School for Boys (1969) before becoming the Industrial Arts wood shop teacher at Joliet Township West High School (1970), plus teaching night classes and later CAD drafting.  During his decades there, he also traveled to J.T. East High School for a time.  While at JTW, Dan became the vibrant coach for the inaugural hockey team.  He finished out his teaching career, which he termed his “retirement job,” at the Joliet Juvenile Detention facility.  Bink also was a member and officer of the Joliet Schools Bowling League for 50 years. 

On July 24, 1971, Dan had married his best friend, Diane, at St. Joseph Church, Rockdale, IL.   The happy couple built their first home in Fond du Lac, Plainfield.  While Bink was busy with the house construction and creating all the cabinets, Diane did all the electrical wiring and decorating, and prepared scrumptious meals for them.  For many years during spring breaks and summer vacation, Dan, Diane, and their son Chris had fun times at their condo in Panama City Beach, FL.  He was able to enjoy Florida one last time for two weeks with his grandchildren this past, August.

Bink was truly a kind and thoughtful person who loved God, his family, and America. He was outstanding husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and great-uncle. He would do everything and anything for family no matter what, no questions asked.  He would give the shirt off his back to a total stranger or his last dollar to someone in need. Bink was never one for swearing, and instead used phrases like, “dip, fish, whip, son a bee hive, witch, and Sacre bleu.”  Bink loved food, all food, especially ice cream, popcorn, fish, and crab legs.  He was an avid outdoorsman, fisherman, and king of recreational sports (pool, darts, ping pong, foosball, bocci ball, and bowling).  His son, C.J., recalls his dad carrying him through the river just to get to the hunting spot that he wanted to reach.  C.J. also has fond memories of his dad waking him up early in the morning, just so that they could get “a bird,” and make it back just in time for both of them to make it to school.  If there were a book about hunting with Bink, there would be 500 or more chapters.  Every time out was always a new adventure with Dan.  One never knew what was going to happen, but it was guaranteed to be a memorable experience. 

Bink shared a close relationship with, C.J., and was always considered the “FUN dad.”  Bink would take C.J. and his friends anywhere and everywhere while he was growing up, including skate parks, fishing and hunting expos, the Elks for swimming in the winter time.  They went on fishing, hunting, and camping trips.  C.J. recalls the times when his father taught him and his friends how to do doughnuts and reverse in a parking lot, how to snow skitch, and times when Bink would pull them behind his infamous van on skateboards, snowboards, and sleds.  Other favorite memories were the yearly adventures to Indiana to spend all the money that C.J. had saved up for fireworks.  C.J. and Bink had countless great times together.   Bink always supported his son with any decision that he made, any venture that he wanted to try, and was there for him through it all.  He was also CJ’s soccer and basketball coach, as well as being his Cub Scout leader and room “dad” growing up.  Bink also spent time with his grandchildren, River and Rebel, any chance that he could.  He loved teaching his grandchildren how to shoot their first BB guns and bow and arrows, as well as teaching River how to fish.  C.J. attributes the man that he is today to his father.  He hopes that one day, he can pass down everything that Dad taught him to his own children and keep his legacy alive.  In C.J.’s eyes and the eyes of so many others, his dad is a true legend.

Visitation will be held at the Blackburn-Giegerich-Sonntag Funeral Home, 1500 Black Road, Joliet, IL 60435 on Friday, September, 15, 2023, from 4:00-8:00 p.m. and Saturday, September 16, 2023 from 9:30-10:30 a.m., followed by Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 a.m. at Holy Family Catholic Church, 600 Brook Forest Ave., Shorewood.

In lieu of flowers, memorials would be appreciated in Dan’s name to Holy Family Catholic Church, 600 Brook Forest Ave., Shorewood, IL  60404, and Lightways Hospice, 250 Water Stone Circle, Joliet, IL 60435. (www.lightways.org).

For information, please call the funeral home at (815) 744-4444 or you may visit Dan’s Memorial Tribute page at www.bgsfuneral/home.com.