Daryl E. Daniels, age 91, died Wednesday, January 24, 2024, at the Stanton County Long Term Care Unit in Johnson, Kansas. He was born on November 28, 1932, in Garden City, Kansas, the son of Walter “Pete” E. and Edith (Scott) Daniels.
Daryl grew up in Johnson where he graduated from Johnson High School in 1950. After graduating, he went to college at Garden City Community College and then on to Fort Hays State University where he earned a teaching degree. For a few years, he taught school at Scott City USD #466. Daryl married Wiletta “Sally” Hale on August 14, 1951, in Long Beach, California. Daryl served his country by joining the U.S. Navy in 1951 as an OS Specialist. Daryl and Sally moved between the west coast and Kansas many times before settling down in Manter, Kansas, in 1984. Daryl was the Postmaster for Johnson, and then he owned and operated Valley Irrigation and sold the first electric center pivot in Stanton County. After, he devoted 24 years to working for Tom Cross Motors and Riley Chevrolet as a salesman, he retired. After retirement, he enjoyed helping family with harvest and woodworking.
Daryl is survived by his wife, Wiletta “Sally”, of Manter, Kansas; children, Danny Ray Daniels and wife, Jan, of Wellington, Kansas, Doug Daniels and wife, Diana, of Johnson, Kansas, Susan Lucas of Johnson, Kansas, Wiletta Peterson and husband, Steve, of Chase, Kansas, Neil Daniels and wife, Delorse, of Manter, Kansas; sisters-in-law, Barbara (Daniels) Maerz of Rolla, Kansas, and Ruth Loader of Manter, Kansas; 14 grandchildren; 34 great-grandchildren; five great-great-grandchildren, with one on the way; and many nieces and nephews.
Daryl is preceded in death by his parents, Pete and Edith Daniels; brother, Leland Daniels; sister, Nancy Josserand and husband, O.W.; brother-in-law, Bud Loader; and grandsons, Brandt E. Daniels and Josh Stratman.
Funeral service will be Monday, January 29, 2024, at 2:00 PM at the First United Methodist Church in Johnson, Kansas, with Reverend Jacque Kambol officiating. Interment will follow at the Stanton County Cemetery with military rites conducted by the American Legion 8th District Honor Guard. Visitation is Sunday, January 28, 2024, from 2:00 PM until 8:00 PM at Garnand Funeral Home in Johnson, Kansas. Memorial contributions may be given to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in care of Garnand Funeral Home, PO BOX 715, Johnson, KS 67855. Condolences may be posted at www.garnandfuneralhomes.com.