Obituary of Alys Jane McDaniel

MONTICELLO, IOWA

Alys Jane McDaniel, 99, of Monticello, Iowa and formerly of Metropolis, Illinois, passed away at the Monticello Nursing and Rehabilitation Center on Saturday, June 10, 2017.

Visitation will be held from 10 - 11 am Thursday, June 15, 2017, at the Trinity Presbyterian Church in Metropolis, Illinois where a funeral service will commence at 11 am.  Burial will be in Massac Memorial Gardens in Metropolis, Illinois.

Alys was born June 18, 1917 in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, the daughter of Leslie Clyde Lemon and Iona Snouffer Lemon.  She graduated from Muscatine High School and the Paris Beauty Academy of Cedar Rapids.  She married Paul McDaniel on October 24, 1937, in Muscatine. They moved to Metropolis, Illinois, where Paul managed a pearl button factory and they raised a family of four children.

After her family was grown, she continued her education through Shawnee Community College and Southern Illinois University and subsequently worked as a teacher’s aide, art teacher and school librarian.  In 2013 she moved to Monticello, Iowa, to be closer to family.

She was an award-winning artist, a quilter, and a vocalist with the Sweet Adelines and the church choir.  She enjoyed playing bridge, dancing, socializing with friends at Happy Hearts, and flower gardening - serving as officers in the Garden Club of Illinois at the local, district and state levels.

To know Alys was to feel loved. An exceptionally kind person who adored her family and loved all people, she dedicated her life to trying to help others. A truly delightful person, her infectious laughter and positive attitude brought joy to every relationship she had. She will be warmly remembered for her sparkling humor and playful nature.

She is survived by daughter, Madeline (Jerry) Schubick of Monticello, Iowa; a son, Kent (Dorothy) McDaniel of Chicago, Illinois; grandchildren Jennifer, Laurel, Eric (Patty) and Marta Schultz, Holly (Gary) Paulsen, Jay (Kirsten) Schubick, Loralys McDaniel, Paul McDaniel and Lida (Jed) Schenkier; 10 great-grandchildren; and her sister Lois Barth of Seal Beach, California.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Paul; son, Douglas; daughter, Linda Schultz; daughter-in-law Beverly McDaniel; and son-in-law Jerry Schultz.

She was a member of the Trinity Presbyterian Church of Metropolis for over seventy years, and after moving to Iowa, joined the United Church of Monticello.  Memorials may be directed to either church.

Miller Funeral Home in Metropolis, IL is handling local services. (www.aikinsfarmer-millerfh.com)