John McDaniel

John William McDaniel, age 94, of Mt. Sterling, Illinois passed away at 10:51 p.m.  Saturday, September 24, 2016 at the Heritage Health, Therapy and Senior Care in Mt. Sterling, where he received the most loving care from the staff during the 3 years he resided there. 

John, who was affectionately known as “Johnny Mac” to his many friends and family, was born March 11, 1922 in Hersman, Illinois the son of Charles Leonard and Gwendolyn Eunice Logsdon McDaniel.  He married Patricia Jo Tracy on November 10, 1966 in Mt. Sterling and she preceded him in death on July 17, 2004. 

Mac was a truck driver for Dot Foods in Mt. Sterling for over 40 years, retiring in 2002, after driving more than 4,000,000 miles during his career. 

He attended Brown County rural schools but was forced to leave school at an early age so he could help support his family.

John was a veteran of World War II having proudly served his country in the United States Army as a paratrooper in the 517^th Airborne Division, and was awarded 2 Purple Hearts. 

He was a member of the Mt. Sterling American Legion Post #374 and always loved attending the 517^th Army reunions where he could visit with his old army buddies.  Johnny Mac also enjoyed having a cup of coffee at the liars table, woodworking and was an avid reader, but for the last several years his world revolved around his grandchildren and attending their many activities. Mac may not have understood all the rules of the game, but that did not keep him from cheering on his grandkids.

Survivors include 4 children Paul James McDaniel of Muscatine, Iowa, Joyce Allene Spires (Buddy) of Vandalia, Missouri, Donna Jean Clark (Fred) of Plymouth, Illinois and Tracy Jo Hendricker (Jamie) of Mt. Sterling.  6 grandchildren Chad Aaron McDaniel, Tracy Danielle Noyola, Jonathan Richard Bemis, William Stuart Holder, Emily Ann Hendricker and Joseph Reagan Hendricker also survive along with 5 great grandchildren and numerous adopted grandchildren from the community who referred to him as “Grandpa Mac”. 

He was preceded in death by his parents, 6 brothers and twin sisters in infancy.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, September 28, 2016 in the Hendricker Funeral Home in Mt. Sterling with Pastor Charla Meyers officiating.

Burial will be in the Mt. Sterling City Cemetery.  A military service will be conducted at the graveside.

Friends may call any time after 1:00p.m. on Tuesday with the family meeting friends from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday evening at the funeral home.   Friends may also call from 8:00 a.m. until the times of services on Wednesday at the funeral home.

Memorials are suggested to Brown County High School Athletic Department, The Sting Squad or Brown County Little League.

Condolences for the family may be left on line at www.hendrickerfuneralhome.com.

The Hendricker Funeral Home in Mt. Sterling is in charge of the arrangements.