Maurice Russell McDaniel

November 5, 1951 — July 20, 2025

Pleasanton

Maurice Russell McDaniel, age 73, passed from this life on July 20, 2025, in Fort Scott, Kansas. He was born on November 5, 1951, in Leon, Iowa, the son of Bennie and Alta Dale McDaniel. He grew up on a farm near Davis City, Iowa, and graduated from Lamoni High School in the Class of 1969.

Maurice was tormented by mental illness nearly all of his life. Nevertheless, he went on to receive a BA degree from Graceland College in Lamoni and a Masters degree from the University of Northern Iowa in Cedar Falls. He and Regina Thatcher were married on May 30, 1976.

He enjoyed fishing, going to classic car shows, and watching sports on TV, KFC, visiting family and friends, and going to church. He was a good-natured person. When he was younger, he would often tease and show off to make others laugh. Maurice was peace loving and seldom said a bad word about anyone. He was active in his church, the Community of Christ. His faith never wavered and carried him through many difficult times. He was a strong believer in the power of prayer. Some of his best memories were of going to church activities and especially prayer meeting.

He was loved and will be missed by his wife, Regina; his sister Martha and husband Danny Palmer; his brother Myron and wife Sundi McDaniel; sister-in-law Cinda Reynolds; nieces Lacey Whitaker, Stacey Davis, Sommer McDaniel and Cassie Greer; nephews Shawn, Jason and Justin Palmer and Weston Henkle. He was preceded in death by his parents, sister Maurita and nephew Charlie Henkle.

Funeral service will be held 2 p.m. Thursday, July 24, 2025, at the Schneider Funeral Home, Pleasanton Chapel. Burial in the Pleasanton Cemetery.

(Published in the Linn County Journal on July 24, 2025.)