McDaniel, Benjamin Russell

MCDANIEL, MANCHESTER, DALE, PALMER, TURPEN, BOSWELL, COLYER

Posted By: Conni McDaniel Hall (email)
Date: 9/15/2013 at 16:06:57

Benjamin "Bennie" Russell McDaniel
Dec. 8, 1920 - Sept. 13, 2013

Benjamin Russell McDaniel, son of Benjamin Carl and Bertha May (Manchester) McDaniel, was born in Decatur County, Iowa in a farm house south of Davis City on December 8, 1920. He passed from this life on Friday, September 13, 2013 with his wife at his side. He was 92 years 9 months and 5 days of age.

Bennie, as he was known, was the youngest of four children. When he was only three years old, his mother passed away. Bennie spent most of his life on the farm where he was born. However, throughout his youth he attended many schools, including New Buda one room country school, Lamoni, Pleasanton, Leon, and Davis City. He graduated from Davis City High School with the Class of 1939. Bennie was the last surviving member of this class.

Bennie walked five miles to and from school and received a certificate for both years neither being tardy or absent. He was in his senior class play besides playing basketball; he was considered one of the best on the team. He never owned a car until age 27, so he did more walking than anyone around. He picked and sold wild berries and also trapped for some spending money plus farmed and cared for his aging father.

Bennie was baptized into the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ in 1947 and remained a faithful servant. He was church recorder, treasurer, senior high school teacher, helped with the youth activities, and served on several church committees, always taking a stand for what he believed. He was ordained into the Priesthood in 1976, serving in this capacity for many years. Bennie always believed that a man's word was more than just words, but an obligation of action, and words like commitment, obligation, service, honesty, and hard-work were words of faithful actions that he tried to fulfill throughout his life.

On June 26, 1949, Bennie was united in marriage to Alta Dale, to this union four children were born, Maurice, Martha, Maurita, and Myron. They owned and operated the family farm south of Davis City, usually working side by side, whether it be in the fields, garden, or even the house, always helping each other.

Bennie continued to farm while working for the State Department of Revenue as a sales tax inspector for two years. President Lyndon B. Johnson appointed him as Davis City Postmaster, a term that lasted 23 years, retiring at age 70. Bennie's hobbies were buying different models of Allis Chalmers tractors and restoring them. He collected 32 at one time. He also loved to raise cattle, hunt, and read as long as his health permitted.

Preceding him in death were his parents; daughter Maurita McDaniel; sisters, Opal McDaniel and Marjorie Turpen; brother Clarence McDaniel; sister-in-law Lotus McDaniel; and brothers-in-law, John Colyer, Norm Boswell, and Richard Turpen. Leaving to cherish his memory are his wife, Alta McDaniel of Davis City; children, Maurice & Regina McDaniel of Pleasanton, Kansas, Martha & Danny Palmer of Van Wert, Iowa, and Myron & Sundi McDaniel of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; six grandchildren; seven great grandchildren; nieces and nephews; and other relatives and friends.

Bennie was a kind, loving husband and father, although he believed in discipline. He was always lending a helping hand when a neighbor, friend, or relative was in need, as long as he was able. He will be sadly missed by all who knew him.

Thank you to cousin Eddie Colyer for making this obit available. His funeral will be held Tuesday September 17, 2013 at the Slade / O"Donnell Funeral Home in Leon, Iowa at 2pm. Bennie will be buried at the family burial site in the Davis City, Iowa cemetery.