James Roy McDaniels

Jim McDaniels passed away peacefully on February 3, 2026. He was 97 years old and surrounded by family. Jim was the beloved husband of the late Jane McDaniels (nee: Toenjes). He is survived by his 3 children Steven McDaniels (Alison), Connie Kleber (Robert) and Robert McDaniels (Cindy), grandchildren Ryan McDaniels (Molly), Nicholas McDaniels (Samantha) and Lindsey Butz (Daniel) and great grandchildren Natalie, Collin, Matthew, Jackson, Raegan, Andrew, Kennedy, Calvin, Gentry, Louis, Walter and Noah.

He is preceded in death by his father and mother Roy and Clara McDaniels, sisters Lucy Brennan and Nancy Metcalf and his first wife Verna McDaniels (nee: Schappe).

Jim was born in Calumet City, IL on August 27, 1928. He was a proud Korean War veteran. He served in the Army Signal Corps and was assigned to secret missions to deploy tactical communication technologies in the Pacific islands. When Jim was in basic training, he learned to ballroom dance at the USO clubs in New York and became a lifelong ballroom dancer.

In addition to being a steadfast Cardinals fan, Jim cultivated many hobbies. He became fascinated with woodworking and created many Intarsia pieces most of which he gave away as gifts; he refused to accept money for any of his pieces of art. Jim also joined various bowling leagues throughout his life and won many awards for his skills.

Jim worked 37 years at Wagner Electric and was their Chief Shop Steward and the Building Skilled Trades Chairman. After that he worked at Monsanto for 10 years until retirement.

Jim also taught refrigeration and air conditioning classes at both North County and South County Technical Schools as well as for the Refrigeration Service Engineers Society (RSES).

Jim was an electrician by day and a model train enthusiast when not working. His entire basement accommodated a spectacular model train board that delighted his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. He made sure all the kids had a chance to blow the train whistle during their frequent visits.

Most important of all Jim was a kind and generous man. He loved his great big family with all his heart and will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved him.

Visitation will be at 9:30 - 10:30 a.m. on Monday February 9, 2026, at Hutchens Stygar Funeral Home in St. Charles, MO. A 12 p.m. Mass will be held at the Immaculate Conception Church in Columbia, IL. There will be no procession. Please meet at the church. A graveside service at the Immaculate Conception Cemetery will follow Mass. There will be a light meal served at the Immaculate Conception Church following the graveside service. In lieu of flowers donations in memory of James can be made to Dementia Society of America - www.dementiasociety.org.

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