John Gerald McDaniel

John Gerald McDaniel

February 22, 1941 - May 26, 2023

John G. McDaniel, 82, of Walkerton, Indiana, passed away Friday May 26, 2023 at his home, surrounded by his loved ones.

He was born February 22, 1941 in Palestine, IL, the son of Matthew and Mabel (McCain) McDaniel.

A graduate of Palestine High School, John served in the United States Navy from 1958 to 1962. He moved to the La Porte County area to work at Allis Chalmers as a welder for 23 years, living in Kingsford Heights until 1974 when he moved to his Walkerton address. After the close of Allis Chalmers, John worked at various jobs, ending with the La Porte County Sheriff's Department, where he was a dispatcher, a process server and a member of the reserves. John was an active community member, serving on the board of the Kingsford Betterment Club, coaching for the Hoosier boys club, and acting as assistant Fire Chief for the Kingsford Heights Volunteer Fire Dept. He was a past board member of the Kankakee Valley REMC, past member of the Kankakee Valley REMC Operation Roundup, past board member of the La Porte Community FCU, and past board member of Grand Heritage FCU. John was a member of the La Porte County Sheriff Dept. Merit board, the Fish Lake Property Owners Association, a Lincoln Twp Trustee for 24 years, a member of the Walkerton American Legion Post 189 and a member of the La Porte County Civic Club. He served the democratic party as past president of the La Porte County Democratic Men's Club and was a precinct chairman of the La Porte County Democratic Central Committee and served on the La Porte County excise board. John's hobbies were car painting, welding, gardening and fishing.  He especially loved riding on his Gravely lawn mower mowing the grass. His greatest joy, though, was spending time with his grandchildren and great-granddaughter. 

On March 30, 1974, in Las Vegas, John married Carol Burkhart, who survives. He is also survived by two sons, James (Mary Rudolphi) Burkhart of Westville, IN and Douglas McDaniel of Glenwood, MN; three daughters, Carla (Scott) Stall of Brainerd, MN, Pam (Russ) Bushman of Montrose, MN and Brenda (Bruce) Britton of La Porte; eight grandchildren, Logan, Ben, Jamie and Madison Stall, Jesse and Hailee Bushman and Chayton and James R Burkhart; one great-granddaughter, Myla Gilderman and many nieces and nephews.

John was preceded in death by his parents; a daughter, Deborah McDaniel; a brother, Harold McDaniel; two sisters, Maxine Spence and Doris Crail.

Arrangements are being entrusted to Haverstock Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 602 Maple Ave., LaPorte, IN where the family will receive friends on Tuesday, May 30, 2023 from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. and Wednesday May 31 from 10:00 -11:00 a.m.  A Funeral Service to celebrate John's life will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, May 31 at the funeral home, with The Reverend Ronald Brauer, officiating. Interment will follow at Salem Heights Cemetery with military honors.

Memorial contributions may be made in memory of John McDaniel to support the hematology and oncology research at the University of Chicago Medicine.  Checks may be made payable to the University of Chicago medicine and sent to University of Chicago Gift Administration and Business Data, John McDaniel Memorial, 5235 S. Harper Ct., 4th floor, Chicago IL 60615. Or donate online at http://giving.uchicago.edu/john-mcdaniel

Online condolences may be made at www.haverstockfuneralhome.com.