Edward
William McDaniels
Edward
William McDaniels of Hudsonville, Michigan, died March 13, 2026, shortly before
his 86th birthday.
Ed was
born March 27, 1940, in Chelsea, Michigan, to Charles Edward and Nina (Brown)
McDaniels. He graduated from Chelsea High School in 1958 and earned a
bachelor’s degree in biology at Central Michigan University. He served two
years as a U.S Army officer stationed at Fort Ord, California. Upon returning
to Michigan he began his graduate work in biology and in 1965 accepted a
teaching position at Grandville High School where he enjoyed teaching the next
forty years. Ed spent many years coaching distance runners on Grandville’s team
and with the support of fellow coaches, served as director of the Buck Creek
Run at Grandville’s Fourth of July celebration.
Ed was
preceded in death by his parents, Charles Edward and Nina McDaniels. He is
survived by his wife of 64 years, Grace Ann (Schmunk) McDaniels; his children
Sarah (David) Bainbridge of LaGrange, Indiana; Tom (Mathilde) McDaniels of
Chelsea; and Charles McDaniels of Hudsonville; and his grandchildren Abigail
Bainbridge, Jacob Bainbridge, Katerina Bainbridge, Matthew (Kacey) McDaniels,
and Aaron McDaniels. He is also survived by his brother-in-law, Charles
Schmunk, and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.
Ed was
committed to the study of biology and enjoyed continuing his own education
throughout his teaching career. As a man with little tolerance for sitting
still, Ed believed that science was best learned firsthand. Whether he was
wading a stream with his freshwater biology students or taking his
grandchildren on a “bear hunt”, which never ended in a bear sighting. Ed
encouraged observation and curiosity. Many students remember their leaf
collections and their search for the elusive butternut tree.
Ed
loved the natural wonders our country has to offer, whether he was hunting,
skiing, golfing, camping, horseback riding, or traveling to national parks, but
he especially enjoyed spending time with extended family on fishing trips to
Canada and weekends at the cabin in Big Rapids.
Ed
took great joy in the time he spent with his own children and also his nieces
and nephews, passing on all the activities he loved. He was definitely the
family’s free spirit. Although an only child, Ed also shared a lifelong bond
with his brother-in-law, Charles Schmunk of Chelsea, who became the brother he
never had. The two spent many years hunting, fishing, and sharing stories.
Charles remained a steady presence for Ed.
After
his stroke two years ago, Ed was able to return to the home he and his
father-in-law had built fifty years ago with considerable help from family and
many friends. The help of Faith Hospice and loving support of his family,
friends and neighbors enabled Ed to regain most of his memory despite his
inability to learn to walk again. Ed knew that his long life was a gift and
that he was blessed.
In lieu of flowers, if you wish to honor
Ed’s memory, he would have been pleased with your spending time enjoying the
wonders of this earth and helping preserve it for future generations.
A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, March 21, at Grandville
United Methodist Church, 3140 Wilson Ave. SW, Grandville, Mi. Visitation will
be available at 10 a.m., and a luncheon will follow.
