Daniel G. Koehler, 65, of South Division Street, was called home to be with our Lord late Saturday evening (March 14, 2026) while surrounded by his loving family at St. James Hospital in Hornell after a courageous battle with cancer.
Born in Hornell on April 22, 1960, he was the son of Donald and Constance “Connie” (Adams) Koehler. He was predeceased by his father, Donald, one brother, John Koehler and his father- and mother-in-law, John and Nancy Hann.
A resident of Hornell for most of his life, Dan was a graduate of St. Ann’s School and Hornell High School (Class of 1979). He proudly served his country with the U.S. Air Force from 1979 until his honorable discharge in 1985.
After his military service, he returned to Hornell where he was briefly employed for NYSEG and the former Dominic’s Bakery. He then began his 40-year career as an orderly and later as a pharmacy technician at the former St. James Mercy Hospital, now known as the UR Medicine St. James Hospital. Dan had recently completed this 40-year milestone, which was a testament to the commitment, work ethic and loyalty he exemplified in everything he did. Even while he was ill, he was still actively working until shortly before his death. His hospital coworkers were truly a second family to him.
He had a strong faith in his Catholic religion and was an active member of Our Lady of the Valley Parish. He was a longtime, devout communicant of both St. Ignatius Loyola Church and St. Ann’s Church in Hornell where he loved to sing the hymns throughout the celebration of Mass alongside his loving wife, children, and grandchildren.
Dan’s greatest joy in life was his family. Throughout the years, he coached his three sons in Little League and Babe Ruth Baseball. He never missed a sporting event, concert, dance recital, or any other special event in the lives of his children, and more recently, his grandchildren. His role of “grandpa” or “grampie” was no doubt his favorite job. He cherished his family’s annual camping trips to Darien Lake, attending Buffalo Bills games, sitting together around a campfire, and having his snack cupboard raided when his grandkids came to visit. He was an avid Buffalo Bills and New York Yankees fan and enjoyed walking. Ask any of his children and they will tell you the absolute blessing he was as a father and grandfather to their children.
He is lovingly survived by his wife, Terri (Hann) Koehler, who he was blessed to be together with for 46 years and married at St. Ann’s Church in Hornell on May 22, 1981; six children, Jennifer (Adam) Klinges of Hornell, Timothy (Carrie) Koehler of Arkport, NY, Joseph (Jolene) Koehler of Bath, NY, Andrew Koehler (Allison Pacer) of Almond, NY, Laura (Skyler) Mitchell of Rochester, NY and Stacey (Zachary) Lincoln of Arkport, NY; 10 grandchildren (soon to be 11), Emma Koehler, Amelia Klinges, Avery Lincoln, Knox Koehler, Aubrey Koehler, Sienna Lincoln, Braleigh Koehler, Collins Koehler, Dominic Lincoln and Clark Mitchell; his mother, Connie Koehler of Hornell; seven siblings, Stephen (Gesele) Koehler of Jamestown, NY, Kathleen Koehler (Bill Miller) of Ann Arbor, MI, Christopher (Lynda) Koehler of Hornell, Elizabeth LaPlante of Almond, NY, Mary Koehler of Ann Arbor, MI, Martha Koehler of Greensburg, PA, and Margaret Koehler (John Wright) of Westerville, OH; as well as many nieces and nephews.
Calling hours will be held from 1-4 p.m. on SUNDAY, (March 22, 2026) at the Bishop-Johnson & DeSanto Funeral Home, 285 Main St., Hornell. Relatives and friends are invited to join his family at St. Ann’s Church, 35 Erie Ave., Hornell where a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. on MONDAY, (March 23, 2026). Private committal prayers and interment, with military honors, will be at St. Mary’s Cemetery, Town of Fremont.
In lieu of flowers, those wishing may contribute in his memory to St. Ann’s Church of Our Lady of the Valley Parish, 27 Erie Ave., Hornell, NY 14843. Envelopes for memorial contributions will be available at the funeral home and church.
The United States flag and the Air Force flag will proudly fly at the Bishop-Johnson & DeSanto Funeral Home in recognition of Dan’s military service.
The Bishop-Johnson & DeSanto Funeral Home is honored to assist Dan’s family with the arrangements.
Online condolences or remembrances of Dan are welcome at bishopdesanto.com or on the Facebook page of Bishop-Johnson & DeSanto Funeral Home.
