Daniel Jon Drosopoulos, 64, of Morrison, IL, passed peacefully from this life at his home, after a long courageous battle with cancer, on Monday, September 11, 2017.
Dan was born on December 28, 1952, in Savanna, IL, to Nickalos and Betty (Tanner) Drosopoulos. He grew up on the Mississippi River and cliffs of Savanna, shaping his love of nature. He began his career in sports in sixth grade at the age of 12, when he began wrestling, which he excelled in immediately. Encourage by his parents and family, he broadened his love to include track, football ,and baseball. However, he especially loved and stood out at wrestling. His brother, Sam, coached him for a few years until his high school coach, Charlie Anderson, led him onward in his career. Dan attended Augustana College in Rock Island, IL, and continued wrestling, traveling, and competing all over the U. S. and completing two Olympic trials. Following college, he began teaching at Morrison High School, remaining there for 32 years, teaching history, health, and physical education. He was Head Wrestling Coach and Assistant Football Coach, and also coached Junior High Wrestling. Dan volunteered for years in numerous sports, such as Little League Baseball. His love of teaching continued after retiring, and he substituted for five more years in the Erie, Fulton, and Rock Falls, IL, schools. Dan was inducted into the IL Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2013 and the Morrison Athletic Hall of Fame in 2007. Dan met his partner in life, Nancy Gravert, in 2000. He was a member of Bethesda Lutheran Church in Morrison.
He is survived by his partner, Nancy; two sons, Tom Drosopoulos of Morrison and Mat Drosopoulos of Atlanta, GA; his partner Nancy’s children (whom he considered his own), Todd (Sarah) Gravert, Tim Gravert, Trista (Jesse) Wright; eight grandchildren, Ty, Ben, Luke, and Cody Gravert; Cailee, Cierra, Jhett, and Judd Wright. Also surviving are three sisters, Vicki Fargo of South Gate, CA, Penni (Jimmy) Kline of Freeport, IL, and Linda Wagenknecht of Payson, AZ; two brothers, Samual (Barbara) Drosopoulos of Chicago, IL, and Craig Haggerty of Houston, TX.
He was preceded in death by his parents and his step-father, Lloyd Haggerty.
FUNERAL: 10:00 a.m., Monday, September 18, 2017, at Bethesda Lutheran Church in Morrison, IL
OFFICIATING: Pastor Bob Burton
VISITATION: 2:00 to 4:00 and 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Sunday, September 17, 2017, at the Morrison Chapel of the Bosma-Renkes Funeral Home
INTERMENT: Grove Hill Cemetery, Morrison, IL
A memorial has been established by the family.