Obituary of William Daniel Gerk

William Daniel Gerk was born November 26, 1962 in Decatur, Ill, and passed away June 15, 2024. He was the son of the late Judith Ann Cobble and the late William H Gerk. Everybody knew him as “Dan the Painter Man” or the “The Soup Nazi.”

He came Connecticut because his mom and Jim needed help to move her from South Carolina. He met the love of his life in a restaurant kitchen. They started as friends and fell in love. He married Dawn Scoullar on June 10, 1989 in Pickens, SC. Dan was a union painter of IU of Pat Dis. Council #11. If you even needed help for anything, he would be there. He was very loving and giving man.

He is survived by his wife, Dawn. His sister Christine and her husband Terry Traeger in Montana. His nephews Tyler and Tate. Tyler’s wife Kyla and his great nephew Tanner and great nieces Tacy and Tawny. Also in Montana his brother Joe Zody and his wife Jen and his niece Samantha and nephews Zach and Tyzer. In Illinois, his step-dad Jim Cobble. In Georgia, his step-brother Trent Cobble and his son in NH Sebastian. Also in Georgia, his sister-in-law Sandy Kindade and her husband Peter. In North Carolina his step-sister Kim Massie. Here in CT, his Mom-in-law Debby Chabot and his sister-in-law Linda Bastien and many, many friends that he felt were like family. You know who you are! A celebration of life will be held on Aug. 1 at the Brooklyn Gathering.