Mary Jane McDaniel

THORNDALE – Funeral services for Mary Jane (Leschber) McDaniel, 82, of Thorndale, will be held on Monday 10 am, February 16, 2026 at the Phillips & Luckey Funeral Home in Rockdale. Burial will follow at the St. John Lutheran Cemetery in the Detmold community near Thorndale.

The Rev. Larry K. Griffith of Brown Deer Baptist Church in Wisconsin will officiate the service, with the potential for assistance from The Rev. Larry E. Caldwell, Sr. of Mount Zion Baptist Church in Thorndale. The family is especially grateful to The Rev. Caldwell and his wife, Laverne, for their outstanding spiritual care; and also, to The Rev. James Brymer, along with Susan and Larry Drabek, for looking out for mom all these years and taking her to so very many appointments.

Public visitation will be on Sunday, February 15th from 4:00-6:00 pm, at Phillips & Luckey Funeral Home in Rockdale, and also immediately prior to the service. Casket will be permanently closed at the beginning of the service.

Mrs. McDaniel, a resident of the Thorndale area for most of her life, was born October 25, 1943 to Alfred and Nelda (Patschke) Leschber. At the time of her death, Mrs. McDaniel was a retired Special Education Paraprofessional, UIL Academics Coach, and Middle School UIL Director; last employed at Thorndale Middle and High Schools. Prior to that, she had served as a teacher to special needs students in the Rockdale Elementary School's Early Childhood Program. She was a 1962 graduate of Thorndale High School, served many years as a leader/teacher/volunteer at St. John Lutheran Church in Thorndale, and was part of the church's quiltmaker team benefiting Lutheran World Relief. She was instrumental in organizing and launching the handbell choir at St. John into a strong start. While her children were in school, she served many years as an officer and uniform tailor with the Band Boosters, and as a 4-H leader of excellence. Once the nest was empty, she served various food pantries and with Thorndale Cares, while continuing her service to the church.

Mrs. McDaniel married Jerry Wayne McDaniel on July 10, 1962, at St. John Lutheran Church in Detmold. She was a proud mother, grandmother, and great grandmother. She was well-known for the artwork she created, her passion for native plants, the quilts she donated to Thorndale Cares, the blankets she crocheted, and all the many items she sewed: blue jean quilts, cloth children's books, every dress her daughters wore, many of the shirts/suits her sons wore, baptismal gowns for some of the grandchildren, the twirling uniforms, the prom dresses, the bridesmaids dresses, the granddaughter dresses, and the wedding dress she sewed and hand-beaded. Her children have many fond memories of decorating Christmas cookies together, the creative homemade birthday cakes, having the most fashionable and well-dressed Barbie dolls in the area, weekly transportation to piano lessons and practices, and as one who was present for every milestone of theirs and their children (no matter how far she had to travel). Her grandchildren have many fond memories of books read to them by their "Maw Maw", art/painting projects worked on together, and of exploring her sunflower forest. The great grandchildren grew to love searching for fresh eggs, as well as feeding her fish, chickens, and ducks. Friends describe her as being full of light. They remember Mary Jane for her kindness, deep thinking, humor, quick wit, and strength of heart. Many in the community valued her homegrown organic eggs, which came from her happy, free-ranging chickens.

Mrs. McDaniel was preceded in death by her husband of 56 years; her father; her mother; her brother-in-law, Richard Fondy; and her older brother, Norman Leschber.

Surviving are her children: Michael McDaniel and wife, JoLynne of Early; Donald McDaniel and wife, Vickie of Thorndale; Angela Upshaw of Katy; Ramona Griffith and husband, Larry of Cedarburg, Wisconsin; a sister-in-law: Carol Leschber; two sisters: Linda Fondy; Rosalie Forman and husband, Jake; two brothers: Raymond Leschber and wife, Debbie; Allen Leschber and wife, Deby; eight grandchildren: Hannah Everett and husband, Kyle; John McDaniel; Colby Hilton and wife, Toni; Reagan Upshaw and wife, Carolyn; Matthew Upshaw and wife, Tori; Dallas Griffith, Daniel Griffith, and Anissa Joy Griffith; seven great grandchildren: Sutton Jane and Beau Michael Everett; Brooks and Chase Hilton; Cliff and Mack Upshaw; and Emory Upshaw; many friends; plus numerous nieces and nephews.

Pallbearers will be Michael McDaniel, Donald McDaniel, Kyle Everett, John McDaniel, Colby Hilton, Reagan Upshaw, Matthew Upshaw, and Daniel Griffith. Honorary Pallbearers will be Hannah Everett, Dallas Griffith, and Anissa Joy Griffith.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. John Lutheran Church of Thorndale, or to Thorndale Cares.