Daniel Ivan Switzer

Daniel Ivan Switzer age 78, passed away on September 24, 2025 at Wheat State Manor in Whitewater, Kansas with his wife by his side. Dan was born December 3, 1946 in Goodland Kansas to Clifford Moss and Hazel (Washburn) Switzer.

Dan grew up and went to high school in Greeley, Colorado. He entered the United States Army in 1966 and was honorably discharged in 1969.

Dan married Mary Ritter on May 25, 1968 in Northumberland Pennsylvania and after the Army they lived in Pennsylvania where Dan worked construction for Ritter Brothers. During that time, they had two children, daughter, Toni Jo and son, Nicholas Daniel.

They later moved to Kanarado, Kansas where is father owned and operated a blacksmith shop, and Dan went to work with his Dad. When his father passed away Dan took over the shop. During that time, he went through training to be an EMT. He worked as an EMT in Kanarado until he decided to close the blacksmith shop and accept the position as the Ambulance Director in Fredonia, Kansas. After his time in Fredonia, he became the Ambulance Director in Mankato, Kansas. He and Mary later divorced.

In 2000 he and Cheryl (Hinkle) Cosand bought and operated Ambu-Care of Emporia, which was an ambulance and transfer service. They then moved to Winfield, Kansas in 2002, and were married on October 30, 2002 in Eureka Springs, Arkansas. Dan went to work for Cal-Mar in Winfield where he worked Quality Control for 13 years before retiring.

Dan loved his family dearly and was always whistling and when he was not doing that, he had a smile on his face. He was also well known for being mischievous and loved pulling pranks on people. If you were ever a part of Dan’s life, you were definitely the recipient of one of those pranks. He enjoyed fishing, camping, and riding his Harley.

He was preceded in death by his father, Clifford; mother, Hazel; brothers, David and Peter Switzer; father-in-law, Ivan Hinkle; sister-in-law, Patricia Hinkle; and step daughter-in-law, Silvia Loomis.

He is survived by his wife Cheryl of Wichita, Kansas; mother-in-law, Viva Hinkle of Washington, Kansas; daughter Toni Smedley (Rod) of Independence, Iowa; son, Nicholas of Butler, Missouri; his first wife, Mary Switzer of Butler, Missouri; brothers-in-law, Steve Hinkle of Wichita, Kansas, and Richard Hinkle (Mary) of Washington, Kansas; nephew, David Switzer (Tammy) of Fort Collins, Colorado; niece Heather Kieschnik (Mark) of Broadview Heights, Ohio; step-children, Brice Loomis of Minneapolis, Kansas; Kevin Loomis (Loni) of Bennington, Kansas; Lynn Wagner (Luke) of Fredonia, Kansas; grandchildren, Grace Smedley, twins Jordan and Paige Switzer, Tasha Smedley, Amber Smedley, and Nathan Smedley; step-grandchildren, Isabella Loomis, Reagan Loomis, Carson and Makinley Wagner; his faithful companion, Boots the cat; and lots of extended family.

Cremation was requested and burial will be at a later date, in Sunset Memorial Gardens in Greeley, Colorado where he will be laid to rest with his brothers, David and Pete.

We would also like to take this time to thank the amazing staff of Good Shepherd Hospice, especially Melissa and April (who helped me through a very difficult day), and the terrific staff at Wheat State Manor for all their loving care of Dan during his time there.