Joan (Cooley) McDaniel

Joan McDaniel, beloved wife of Rex McDaniel and mother to Gary, Michaelle and Scott, passed away on May 2, 2022.  She was born in El Dorado, Kansas August 6, 1942, to Arthur and Mary (Betty) Cooley.  Joan and Rex made homes in Kansas and Florida before returning to and settling in Cherokee and celebrated 60 years of marriage.  Joan was an inspiration to her family as she returned later in life to earn multiple college degrees while making a home with Rex and raising their children.  Joan served the Cherokee community with twenty years of teaching for Cherokee Public Schools.  She taught many grades but focused on special education.  She was an advocate for education and the students she taught.

She is survived by her husband, Rex; her children, Gary and Carolyn McDaniel, Michaelle and Kevin Statham and Scott and Amanda McDaniel.  She had two grandchildren, Conrad and Carson Statham.  Joan is also survived by her two sisters, Connie and Galen Johnson and Janice Lister.  She was loved and loved her extended family of nieces, nephews and brothers and sisters- in- law.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Art and Mary (Betty) Cooley and sister, Phyllis Cooley as well as her beloved in-laws, John and Faye McDaniel.  One of her favorite bands was Dire Straits and although she loved all of their music this quote seems appropriate, “Why worry, there should be laughter after the pain.  There should be sunshine after the rain.  These things have always been the same.  Why worry now.”

Funeral for Joan will be Saturday, May 7, 2022, at 2:00 P.M. at Lanman Funeral Home Chapel in Cherokee. Burial will follow at Maple Grove Cemetery with arrangements by Lanman Funeral Home, Inc. www.lanmanmemorials.com  There will be no public viewing. 

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