Waneta J. Dailey

Waneta J. Dailey, 91, of Watseka passed away on Sunday, September 8, 2024 at Riverside Hospital in Kankakee. She was born on January 12, 1933 in Martinsville, Indiana, a daughter of Paul and Gladys (Baugh) Maxwell and they preceded her in death. Waneta married the love of her life Dr. James E. Dailey on August 28, 1954 in Muncie, Indiana and he preceded her in death on February 18, 2000.
Waneta is survived by her three daughters, Brenna (Dave) Johnson of Watseka, Suzelle (Bill) McCullough of Park City, Utah, and Kristin (John) Straubinger of Summerville, South Carolina; six grandchildren, Scott Johnson of Watseka, Kyle (Kelli) Johnson of Bloomington, Kaity (Zak) Ellrick of Watseka, Erin McCullough of San Antonio, Texas, Laine McCullough of Salt Lake City, Utah, and Brett Straubinger of Summerville, South Carolina; four great-grandchildren, Jackson "JJ" Johnson, Alida McCullough-Furness, Emmett McCullough-Furness, and Audrey McCullough.
She was born with perfect pitch and played the piano at an early age. She could hear a tune on the radio and then sit down and play it on the piano. She later took up the guitar with one of her daughters.
She learned her love of cooking and sewing from her mother and the game of golf from her father. Together with Jim, she added tennis and snow skiing to her growing list of passions.
After she met Jim and had two of her three daughters, they moved to Watseka and created a wonderful life together. Waneta became very involved in the community and served on the school board for several years. She was also very involved in the Iroquois Memorial Hospital Auxiliary. She loved to give back to her community, supporting her husband and the work he did as a local physician, and taking care of her three daughters.
Near the top of the list of things that Waneta loved was bridge. Her love for this game started in college and was a social pastime that included regular ladies bridge clubs and the occasional couple's bridge. Later on, she and a dear friend plunged into the world of competitive duplicate bridge and she never looked back. One of her proudest moments was earning her ACBL Life Master.
More than anything, she loved vacations with her family, especially Fair Hills in Minnesota and Hilton Head Island. She actually loved them so much; you could always find her driving around with her ILUVHH license plates. She loved being able to travel with her family and make memories with them that will last a lifetime.
Throughout her adult life, Waneta was the happiest when she was watching her grandchildren and great-grandchildren competing in sports and doing what they loved. Waneta was the first one to celebrate in their accomplishments and be there for them. She always talked about how proud her husband, Jim, would have been of the life that they created together and always reminded the kids that their grandfather was celebrating with them.
Waneta had one of the sharpest minds and never lost interest in the world around her. There was never a conversation with her that didn't involve who won the golf match that past week, what football team was playing that night or who she thought would win the tennis open coming up. Every night you could find her catching up on the latest game that was on TV and playing competitive bridge online.
Waneta will always be remembered for her love of her family, generosity, grace and quick wit.
A Private Graveside Service will be held on Tuesday, September 10, 2024 at the Oak Hill Cemetery in Watseka with Pastor Jerry Parker officiating.
Arrangements are by the Knapp Funeral Home in Watseka.
Memorials may be made to the Cornerstone Ministry or to the Iroquois Memorial Hospital Auxiliary.
Please share a memory of Waneta at www.knappfuneralhomes.com.