‘American Idol' Contestant Danny Gokey Returns Home For Grandfather's Funeral

"American Idol" contestant Danny Gokey returned home to Wisconsin over the weekend for the funeral of his grandfather, according to a Christian Web site.

According to everydaychristian.com, Danny's trip home was unannounced. The 28-year-old church music director attended services at his Milwaukee church, Faith Builders International Ministries, before going to the funeral on Sunday.

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When contacted by Access Hollywood, a spokesperson for "American Idol" would not comment on the story, but did confirm Danny would be on Tuesday night's show.

The death of his grandfather comes less than a year after the loss of Danny's wife, Sophia, who died during surgery for a congenital heart defect just a few weeks before his "American Idol" audition.

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Fans of the show have become familiar with the tragic story of Sophia's death, and it's something Danny has spoken about during interviews this season.

"I think she is the reason for my success. You become the sum of who you hang around with and I've been with her for 11 years and she made me who I am." Danny told AccessHollywood.com's "Dish of Salt" Laura Saltman of his late wife. "She believed in me when no one else believed in me. I'm thankful for her… very much."

Through it all, Danny, who has become a frontrunner in the competition, hopes his story can provide hope for others who might find themselves in similar situations.

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"When people look at me they find hope," the Milwaukee native said. "Dreams put a new passion in your life to live again. I want to get that message out to people — that they can live again no matter how bad the tragedy. You can dream again and you can see those dreams fulfilled, and I think right now, it seems like it's being lived out in me and I hope they see that."

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