Daniel “Dan” Merrill Eckstein 56, of Frontenac, KS died 12 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 10, 2026, at Via Christi Village in Pittsburg, KS following a long illness.

Dan was born May 7, 1971, in Quincy, Illinois, the son of Merrill Eckstein and Bonnie (Wilcox) Eckstein. He has lived in the Frontenac community since 2005. Dan was a graduate of Pittsburg State University earning two Master’s Degrees, one in Educational Leadership and the other in Mathematics.

On July 30, 1994, Dan married Heather Heath in Wichita, KS; she survives at the home. Dan worked as a Teacher for Frontenac High School, Lamar High School, Columbus High School, Golden City High School, and Augusta High School during his 32-year career as a teacher and coach.

Dan was a member of the Marvin A. Armstrong Lodge 187 AF&AM and had served as Master of the Lodge. He was a Life Loyal member of the Sigma Chi Fraternity and volunteered with the PSU Zeto Iota chapter of the fraternity. He enjoyed coaching chess, playing golf, and trading card strategy games. Walt Disney World Trips with his family he enjoyed most of all.

Survivors include his wife; daughters Hannah and Emma Eckstein of Frontenac, KS; father Merrill Eckstein and stepmother Wanda Eckstein of Chattanooga, TN; and sister Angie Bower of Topeka, KS.

Dan was preceded in death by his mother Bonnie (Wilcox) Eckstein and brother Steve Eckstein.

Memorial Services will be 2 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 20, 2026, at the Bath-Naylor Funeral Home in Pittsburg, KS with Bobby Winters officiating. In lieu of flowers, the family asks expressions of sympathy to be in the form of memorials to the Frontenac Education Foundation. Friends may drop off or mail memorials to Bath-Naylor Funeral Home 522 S. Broadway Pittsburg, KS 66762. Condolences may be left at www.bathnaylor.com. Arrangements and services are under the direction of Bath-Naylor Funeral Home of Pittsburg, KS.