The Kewanee Chamber of Commerce Ambassador Club has announced that Dan Rux has been named the 2024 Hog Days Parade Marshal.  

Dan was born in Chicago and moved to Kewanee in 1973 with his family after his parents  purchased the Creamer Funeral Home. He attended Visitation Catholic School and graduated from Kewanee High School in 1979.  

He furthered his education at BHE and the University of Wisconsin-Platteville. He then attended Worsham College of Mortuary Science. He began his funeral directing career in 1986 with his father Jerry at Rux Funeral Home in Kewanee. 

Dan is married to Rhonda and are proud parents of Adam and Deborah of Chicago, Zachary and Samantha of Kewanee, Lexy of Milwaukee, Tauge and Amber of Englewood, Colo., Caleb and Emily of Chicago and Greta of Colorado Springs. They also have two grandchildren, Ben and Everett, and their four-legged companion, Ryder.

Dan has held membership and been active in several local civic organizations including Kewanee Kiwanis, Galva Rotary, Galva Lions, Kewanee Elks Lodge and the Knights of Columbus and the National Funeral Directors Association. He enjoys serving as a Boy Scout assistant leader, performing in local theater productions, gardening, an occasional round of golf and visiting with his family and friends.

Dan’s father was a longtime Chamber Ambassador and a former Hog Days Parade chairman. 

“It is a pleasure to have Dan Rux as the 2024 Hog Days Parade Marshal,” said Mark Mikenas, executive director of the chamber.

The parade will kick off Saturday, Aug. 31,  at 2 p.m. with Kewanee Police Chief Steve Kijanowski hitting the siren signaling the start.  

Anyone interested in being in the parade may sign up online by clicking on the Hog Day Parade tab on the Chamber website www.kewanee-il.com. Entry deadline is Aug. 19. 

The Ambassador Club of Kewanee has organized the parade for 49 years for the Hog Capital Festival Committee.