Stuart Shawn McDanel's Obituary
Stuart Shawn McDanel, age 63, of Moravia, passed away Wednesday, January 19, 2022 at MercyOne Medical Center in Des Moines.
Stu was born on January 22, 1958 in Centerville, Iowa, the son of Leon Glick McDanel and Bonnie Jean (Yonavich) McDanel. While in school, he played every sport that was offered, and made the All-State football team his senior year. He graduated from Moravia High School as the salutatorian, with the Class of 1976. Following high school graduation, Stu attended Missouri Valley College for two years where he played football. He then transferred to Northeast Missouri State University in 1980, where he earned a bachelors degree in accounting.
After college, Stu worked his way up to Manager of General Accounting at Iowa Southern Utilities. After leaving ISU, he was employed by William Penn College as their Chief Financial Officer. Stus next career move led him to Mercy Medical Center - Centerville as the CFO, where he maintained a close relationship with his colleagues at the hospital. Stus last career change took him to Pella Regional Health Center as the Director of Accounting. During the entire time he held these jobs, Stu lived and raised his family and operated his century family farm in Moravia with his mother, Bonnie McDanel, who started 3MC Charolais, supporting his community and the Moravia Community Schools.
Every Sunday, Stu enjoyed meeting with a breakfast/social group at the Hoffman family farm cabin. He also had an unofficial brotherhood with his friends in Moravia, helping with farming and other needs. Stu enjoyed racing dogs in field trials and hunting in his free time. He was an avid University of Iowa Hawkeyes fan. He had a love/hate relationship with his Hawkeyes. Stus passion for his family was very strong, especially his grandchildren. On September 22, 2018, Stu married his sweetheart, Jean Kirkpatrick in Kirksville, Missouri. The couple would make many memories together in the time they had.
In November of 2021, after retiring from Pella Regional Health Center, Stu was elected to be on the Moravia School Board, District #3 seat. He was very excited to start this new adventure in his life, and to help children begin their lives. He felt that top quality education goes well beyond the classroom, and a well-rounded student should have multiple opportunities in sports, music, FFA, and other activities. He was a strong supporter of vocational education, stating that college is not the right option for every youth, and the school needs to do the best possible job of helping every student prepare for a future career that best fits their interests and abilities.
Left to honor Stuarts memory are his wife, Jean McDanel of Moravia; his children, Chad (Deanna) McDanel of Coralville and Shawn (Jennifer) McDanel of North Liberty; stepdaughters, Halley Kirkpatrick and Katey Kirkpatrick of Moravia; four grandchildren, Mylia McDanel, Blakely McDanel, Logan McDanel, Keira McDanel; a brother, Jeff McDanel of Moravia; niece, Bailey Baughman; and nephews, Kyle Baughman and J.D. McDanel; as well as several friends and extended family members.
Stuart was preceded in death by his parents, Leon and Bonnie McDanel; and his sister, Glenda Baughman.
Funeral services will be held at 10AM, Friday, January 28, 2022 at Lange Funeral Home in Moravia with Fr. Timothy Armbruster officiating. Burial will follow the service at Hillcrest Cemetery in Moravia. Visitation will take place Thursday, January 27, 2022 at Lange Funeral Home in Moravia, with the family greeting friends from 5-8PM. Memorials have been established to the Stuart McDanel family, and may be mailed to Lange Funeral Home and Crematory, ATTN: Stuart McDanel family, 1900 South 18th Street, Centerville, Iowa 52544. Condolences may be shared online at www.langefh.com or on our funeral home Facebook page.
Visitation
2022-01-27 17:00:00
20:00:00
Lange Funeral Home & Crematory
103 N. John Street
Moravia
IA
52571
Funeral Service
2022-01-28 10:00:00
Lange Funeral Home & Crematory
103 N. John Street
Moravia
IA
52571
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