Sylvia L. (Mills) McDaniel, 96, formerly of Green Tree in West Lafayette, IN, died Tuesday, June 15, 2010 at St Mary Healthcare Center in Lafayette.
Born December 28, 1913 in Round Grove Twp, White County, IN, she was the eldest daughter of Elda Elmetta (Deboy) Mills and Herman Mills. She went to Round Grove School, was a 1932 graduate of Montmorenci High School and later attended business college in Lafayette.
On Dec. 31, 1949 she married Arthur J Short McDaniel in Crawfordsville. He died Dec.7, 2001.
Mrs. McDaniel was a founding member of the Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church and participated in the Lafayette Indiana Historic Society, Alcoa Retirees, Wabash Valley Packard Club, and the Democratic Party. She was an avid gardener, bridge player and traveler, who also took great pleasure in her family and friends. She touched the lives of many and will be greatly missed by all that knew and loved her.
Mrs. McDaniel grew up on the family farm at Round Grove and lived in West Lafayette for the past 75 years. As a young woman she found work at Purdue and in the home of David Ross, a major benefactor of the University. She spent many years in business before marrying and becoming a homemaker; later she worked at H&R Block and the Wabash Township Assessors office.
Surviving are three daughters, Carol Blume (husband Terry) of West Lafayette, Judy McDaniel (husband Rene Buendia), Karen Mander McDaniel (husband Bob Mander) both of Seattle WA and two step sons, Jerry Short (wife Roxie) of Palm Dessert CA and Harry Short (wife Shirley) of Lafayette; six grandsons Terry (wife Denise), Brian (wife Jill), Chris (wife Gina), Jason and Josh Blume and Dylan Mander; five great grandchildren, two step great granddaughters, three step great great grandchildren; four sisters Elizabeth Slattery of Speedway, Berniece Danaher of Lafayette, Florence Young husband Herbert of Brookston, Mary Baker husband George of West Lafayette and one brother John Mills wife Elsie of Brookston. Also surviving are grandchildren by marriage Rhonda Brillhart (husband Ron), Doug (wife Monica), Tracy, Gary (wife Sheila) and Gregg (wife Amanda) Short, their children, step daughter in law Linda Short of Arlington, TX,sisters in law Mable Mills, Indianapolis, Wilma Mills of Otterbein and many nieces and nephews.
Mrs. McDaniel was preceded in death by her parents, husband, two brothers Ralph Mills of Indianapolis and Robert Mills of Otterbein, one sister Vivian Bartholomew of Lafayette and step son Art Short of Arlington TX.
Visitation on Monday, June 21 from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Soller-Baker West Lafayette Chapel, 1184 Sagamore Parkway West, WL, with a Rosary Service at 4:45 PM. Funeral Mass 11:00AM, Tuesday, June 22 at the Church of the Blessed Sacrament , 2224 Sacramento Drive, WL, Father Ambrose Ziegler officiating. Entombment at Tippecanoe Memory Gardens Mausoleum.
EULOGY FOR MY MOTHER, SYLVIA LUCILLE MILLS MCDANIEL
By her daughter, Judy McDaniel
Read at the Funeral Mass, Church of the Blessed Sacrament, June 22, 2010
Mom lived a long and full life. People tell me I am so lucky to have had her with me for so many years, and that is true. But because she has always been there, it is so hard to imagine life without Mom in it.
Thinking back, there is so much that Mom taught me, mostly by her example. Much of who I am is her legacy to me. It is difficult to know where to begin.
First and foremost, Mom never let life get her down. There were certainly many trials along with the joys, but Mom just did what she needed to do, and carried on. She just kept smiling.
Mom treasured her independence and self-sufficiency. Mom was proud that she worked before she married and was able to buy her first home and a car for herself. Of course, those purchases came after the fur coat. Mom always took pride in her appearance, and loved<