Richard P. “Dick” McDaniel, 79, of West Liberty, passed away at 1:08 a.m. on Wednesday, September 29, 2021, in the Mary Rutan Hospital, ICU, Bellefontaine.
He was born in Urbana, Ohio on April 11, 1942, the son of the late Paul Adrian and Virginia Elizabeth (Peters) McDaniel.
On April 16, 1965, at their first home, 222 E. Baird St. West Liberty, Dick’s grandfather married he and the former Barbara J. “Janie” Clark, who survives.
He is also survived by his three children; Clark (Sharon) McDaniel of West Liberty, Jason (Amy) McDaniel of DeGraff, Denise (Phil) Casto of Cable, five grandchildren; Cole (Megan) McDaniel, Reaghan McDaniel, Madison Casto, Evan Casto, and Tristan Casto.
Dick worked as an auto mechanic, owning and operating McDaniel’s Auto Repair in West Liberty from 1973 to 2010. He was a United States Army Reservist and volunteered with the West Liberty Fire Department for 35 years, retiring as the Assistant Chief. He also served 38 years as a Liberty Township Trustee and on the West Liberty EMS Board for a number of years. From 1984 to 1993 a portion of the repair shop was converted to a wrestling room affectionately referred to as “The Garage”. It produced 23 state champions, 55 state placers, and helped West Liberty Salem High School win the 1991 team state wrestling championship. He enjoyed playing softball and coaching and sponsoring youth baseball with his children and grandchildren. His favorite activities included attending all of his grandchildren’s events and trips to Michigan.
Visitation will be Saturday, October 2, 2021, from 9am to 12Noon at the Eichholtz Daring & Sanford Funeral Home, 101 Zanesfield Rd., West Liberty, OH 43357. Pastor Dick Barrett will officiate a private family memorial service and burial will be in Fairview Cemetery, West Liberty, at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial contributions be made to the West Liberty Fire Department, 201 N. Detroit Street, West Liberty, Ohio 43357 or to Macochee Joint Ambulance District, 113 Newell St, West Liberty, OH 43357.
The family asks that you come dressed casually, be symptom-free, and practice social distancing. Masks will be available upon request.
EICHHOLTZ DARING & SANFORD FUNERAL HOME, WEST LIBERTY is honored to serve the McDaniel family and encourages anyone to share a fond memory or message of condolence at www.edsfh.com.