Bobby Dean McDanel

Bobby Dean "Muskrat" McDanel, age 58, of Moravia, passed away Monday, August 7, 2023 at MercyOne Medical Center in Centerville.
Bobby was born on August 1, 1965 in Centerville, Iowa, the son of Robert Wayne McDanel and Patricia "Patty" Ann (Clark) McDanel. He graduated from Moravia High School with the Class of 1984. In 1986, Bobby was united in marriage to Penny Robinson, and to this union, a son, Christopher Blake McDanel was born.
Following graduation, Bobby accepted a position at Rubbermaid in Centerville, where he worked for over 20 years. When the foundry closed, he began working for Lee Container. He was currently still employed, and his work family will miss him dearly. Bobby enjoyed being a volunteer firefighter for the Moravia Fire & Rescue in his younger days. He also was the Treasurer and the Lay Speaker of the Light Of Life Church in Moravia. In his free time, he was fond of hunting, especially coyote, coon, deer and bear hunting, as well as fishing. Bobby also had a special love for music, and was an avid follower of Jake McVey and Houston Fry.
Left to honor Bobby's memory are his wife of over 37 years, Penny McDanel; his son, Christopher Blake McDanel; his sister, Debra (Roy) Fry; his mother-in-law, Marlyn Copeland; his father-in-law, Billy Robinson; a brother-in-law, Russell Robinson; two sisters-in-law, Billie Robinson (Rick Eckles) and Dustie (Kevin) Argenta; as well as several extended family including nieces, nephews and great nieces and great nephews.
Bobby was preceded in death by his parents, Robert and Patty McDanel.
Funeral services will be held at 10:00AM, Friday, August 11, 2023 at the Lighthouse Church of the Nazarene in Moravia with Pastor Dennis Doud and Pastor Terry Chapman officiating. Cremation will follow the service. Visitation will take place Thursday, August 10, 2023 at Thomas Funeral Home in Moravia, opening at 3:00PM, with the family greeting friends from 5-7PM. Memorials in honor of Bobby may be written to either the Light of Life Church or the Moravia Fire Department, and may be mailed to Thomas Funeral Home, ATTN: Bobby McDanel family, 501 North 18th Street, Centerville, Iowa 52544. Condolences may be shared online at www.thomasfh.com or on our funeral home Facebook page, www.facebook.com/thomasfuneralhome.