Dan L. Baiotto

Those who knew Dan will remember him for his jokes, his story telling, infectious smile and overwhelming laughter. He never met a stranger. Dan found the love of his life when he met Kathy. They were married 21 years. They had a life full of love, laughter, travel and adventures. If you followed him on Facebook you would know the pride he took in watering “the Queens flowers.”

Dan’s first love and passion was photography. Many of his happiest moments were behind the camera using his talents at various studios in the area. It was always an honor for him knowing he was touching so many lives and creating their special memories. Another of his favorite pastimes was hunting… deer, bear, antelope and more, with his brother Steve. If they weren’t working together to maintain the family farm you could find him in, as he called it, his “branch office,” taking beautiful pictures of one of his favorite places.

His grandchildren will forever cherish all the thought and talent he put into building each of them their own special woodworking project, anything from pine wood derby cars to a dollhouse. Dan was a jack of trades. When it came to anything electric or mechanical, he could fix anything!

He was preceded in death by his parents, Ernest and Joyce Baiotto; his son, Jason Baiotto; father in law, Tony Rapp; mother in law, Veda Rapp; brother in law, Pat Basler; nephew, Paul E Graves.

He is survived by his loving wife, Kathy (Rapp) Baiotto; his children, Kristi (Dan) Luechtefeld, Joni (Steve) Horvath, PJ (Carrie) Perucca; his grandchildren, Luke, Ellie, and Gavin Luechtefeld, Jason and Kailyn Horvath, Francessca and Giuliana Perucca; brother in law, Steve (Cindy) Rapp; sister in law, Tina (Rapp) Basler; brother, Ron (Clarissa) Baiotto; nieces, nephews and friends.

The family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to his supervisor and coworkers at WorldWide Technology for their quick response, care and concern. He truly loved his job there and the people he worked with.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The American Heart Association.

There will be a visitation for Dan on Tuesday, January 7, 2025, at Lake View Memorial Gardens Chapel, 5000 N. Illinois Street, Fairview Heights, IL 62208 from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. There will also be a visitation on Wednesday, January 8, 2025 at Christ Church, 339 Frank Scott Parkway, Fairview Heights, IL 62208 at 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. A funeral service will be at Christ Church at 11:00 a.m. following the visitation. There will be a committal service at Lakeview Memorial Gardens following the service.