Mary Jane McDaniel, 95, passed away peacefully at 7:18 a.m. Sunday, June 23, 2024. She was born in Alton, IL on July 22, 1928, the first of five children born to the late Samuel and Edna Hill Nickell.
She married Marvel E. Taylor, and they enjoyed 48 years of marriage. He passed away in 1998. In 2005 she married Robert S. McDaniel, and he died in 2012.
Mary Jane worked for the Montgomery Ward for 35 years, many of them when she lived in Villa Park, IL. She retired in 1985 and she and Marvel spent 20 years living in Fort Myers, Florida during the winter. They were very active as leaders in the exercise and line dance programs. They were also avid square and round dancers.
During her marriage to Robert McDaniel, they loved to travel and visited Europe, Russia, Ireland and China several times. Mary Jane also loved to play pinochle and bridge with her friends. Her greatest joy was her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren whom she dearly loved.
She is survived by her daughter Linda Sue England (Terry) of Leesburg, FL, son, Larry (Anne)Taylor of Toledo, Ohio, grandchildren Sarah (Ivan) Ortega, Rebecca (Andrew) Lass, Philip (Genevieve) England, and Alexa (Rassan) Samson. Great grandchildren Natalie, Alyssa, and Leah Ortega, Camden and Charlotte Jane Lass, Payton and Lincoln England, and Jett Samson. Her sister, Betty Wagner of Murrieta, CA, a sister-in-law, Mary Nickell of Godfrey, IL, and many nieces and nephews.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by two brothers Sam and Robert Nickell, a sister, Edna Gleghorn, and a niece Kathy Nickell.
Graveside services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, July 13, 2024 at Valhalla Memorial Park in Godfrey. Reverend Jay Hanscom of Godfrey First United Methodist Church will officiate. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Godfrey First United Methodist Church. Gent Funeral Home in Alton is in charge of arrangements. Online guestbook and information may be found at www.gentfuneralhome.com