Daniel Ray Winckler

Daniel Ray Winckler, beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and brother, passed away on December 6, 2025, in Las Vegas, Nevada, surrounded by family. He was 74 years old.

Daniel was born on September 6, 1951, in Scotland, South Dakota to Alvin and Frances “Pat” Winckler. He grew up with his four younger siblings: Mary (William) Dunlap, Linda (Ron) Pelton, Kenneth (Lisa) Winckler, and Karen (Walt) Griffith, in Tyndall, a small farming community in South Dakota; and those early years helped shape the strong work ethic, warmth, and steady faith that guided him throughout his life.

A proud Navy veteran, Dan served his country with honor before embarking on a life filled with creativity, leadership, and service. He was a gifted musician whose love of music brought joy to countless people. His entrepreneurial spirit led him to own several businesses; and his deep commitment to his faith ultimately guided him into pastoral ministry, where he touched many lives with compassion, wisdom, and kindness.

Family was the heart of Dan’s world. He was a devoted husband to his wife, Melanie, and a loving father to his children: Laura Chapel, Zachary (Kaisa) Winckler, Molly Fitzmaurice, and Maekel (Brittany) Whiteside. He cherished his grandchildren, who brought him immense joy: Adam, Samuel, and Suzanne Chapel; Isaac, Eden and Luke Winckler; Ruby Fitzmaurice; Marcus, Myles, Madisyn, and Mya Whiteside, and Aumaury Santos; and he delighted in his great-granddaughter, Willow Chapel. Dan was also a proud uncle to his many nieces and nephews.

Dan had an impact on everyone he met, especially in the Naked City neighborhood of Las Vegas where he lived and served at Casa de Luz, an inner-city outreach ministry and food pantry he co-founded with family in 2009. Over the years, “Pastor Dan,” became a fixture in the community; and he was endearingly regarded as not only a mentor and pastor, but also as a close friend, brother, dad, and grandpa to the countless volunteers, children and families he cared for during his many years there.

Dan will be remembered for his generosity, his humor, his unwavering faith, and his “big time” love for others. His legacy lives on in the family he adored and the many lives he touched.

Daniel was preceded in death by his parents, Alvin and Frances “Pat” Winckler; his granddaughter, Suzanne Chapel; his nephew, Thomas Pelton; and several aunts, uncles, and cousins.

A Celebration of Life will be held on December 29, 2025, at 10:00 am, at the Southern Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Boulder City, Nevada. In lieu of flowers, the family welcomes photographs, memories and stories shared in his honor.