Donald Wayne Daniels

Memorial services for Donald Wayne Daniels, 81, Lawrence, will be held at 2:00 p.m. April 22, 2024 at Warren-McElwain Mortuary in Lawrence.  Private family burial will be held at Pleasant Hill Cemetery in Pleasant Grove, KS.  Donald passed away on Wednesday, April 17, 2024 at The University of Kansas Health System.

Donald was born on July 15, 1942 in Lawrence, the son of Levi William and Lucy R. (Newville) Daniels.  

He was an Inspector for Black Hills Corporation and retired in 2005.

He was a former member of the Eagles in Lawrence.  He was an avid golfer and sports fan, he especially enjoyed the Jayhawks, Chiefs and Royal.

Survivors include his two daughters, Debbie Darlene McElhaney, Rhonda Lynn Heatwole; five grandchildren; Ryan (Vince) Robertson, Shawnee, KS; Chase McElhaney, Bend, OR, Chandler (Zack) Martin, Murfreesboro, TN, Macie Heatwole, Overland Park, KS; Evan Heatwole, Olathe, KS; three great-grandchildren, Lily, Mac and Maverick Robertson and brother, Norman Daniels of Lecompton, KS and his dog, Buster.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his siblings, Mildred Weibel, Darlene Wingert, Virginia Hadl, Robert Daniels, Clarence Daniels, Levi Daniels and Alvin Daniels, and his dog, Griffey.

16 Condolences

  1. Ella Anderson on April 20, 2024 at 12:23 am

    My sincere condolences at the passing of your dad. I remember him well.



  2. April Risner on April 20, 2024 at 8:03 am

    I had the honor of taking care of Don. He was one of my favorite patients. Don was such a kind man. He will be missed.



  3. Steve M Hanna on April 20, 2024 at 9:12 am

    I’m so saddened to hear of Dons passing. My thoughts and prayers go out to Debbie and Rhonda. Every time I spoke with Don he always related how proud he was of them and his grandchildren. We worked together for nearly 20 years at Kansas Public Service (KPS) where Don served as a Crew Foreman. A perfectionist with the highest integrity and work ethic. A dedicated Jayhawk fan and loved to play golf. Heaven will avidly accept Don with open arms. My sincere condolences to Don’s family.



  4. Sandra K Whitehead on April 20, 2024 at 10:17 am

    Sincere condolences to the family of Don. You are in my thoughts and prayers. Don will be missed.



  5. Shirley Shirk Anderson on April 20, 2024 at 10:44 am

    Debbie and Rhonda, my thoughts and prayers are with you and the Daniels family. The Daniels family and the Shirk family were neighbors for many years. I have fond memories of Don, his siblings and their parents. Our families were good friends. Cherish the wonderful memories of your father.



  6. Tommy Johnson on April 20, 2024 at 3:10 pm

    I was very sorry to hear of Don’s passing. Don was a good man, a wonderful friend and a great coworker of mine at Kansas Public Service for many years. Debbie, Rhonda & family – please know that you are in my thoughts during these difficult days. Your dad will be missed.



  7. Zee Button on April 20, 2024 at 5:54 pm

    My sincere sympathies are being sent to Don’s family. My husband, Alan, worked with Don for many years at Kansas Public Service which later became Black Hills Gas Company. Don was a great friend to both of us. He will be missed by all who knew him.



  8. Rhonda Wingert Thomsen on April 20, 2024 at 6:45 pm

    Debbie and Rhonda,
    So sorry to hear about Don’s passing. He always lit up a room with his personality and sense of humor!!
    My thoughts and prayers are with you and your families.

    Rhonda (Wingert) Thomsen



  9. Lisa Braun on April 22, 2024 at 9:27 am

    Dear Rhonda and Debbie
    My deepest condolences for the loss of your precious Father. He was a wonderful man and father. He will be missed by all that knew him. I will keep both of you and your families in my thoughts and prayers. Much love, Lisa Braun.



  10. Tina Daniels Sinclair on April 22, 2024 at 12:02 pm

    Debbie and Rhonda.
    I am sorry to hear about your dad’s passing. I pray God will wrap his hands around your family during this difficult time.You are in my heart!



  11. Sue Kraus on April 22, 2024 at 6:10 pm

    Debbie and Rhonda
    So sorry for your loss. Your dad was a great man.
    We had a lot of good times together. He will be missed.
    Much Love to you and family



  12. Galen R Gillaspie on April 23, 2024 at 10:24 am

    Sorry for your loss. Worked with Don a number of years at KPS. He was a good person to be around. funny and had a great since of humor. Always very picky with his automobiles, they had to be just right for him. Rest knowing that he is in good hands now and that GOD has a plan for him and will take care of him. So sorry for your loss.



  13. John Bateson on April 23, 2024 at 9:07 pm

    Condolences to the family. Don was a fun guy to travel with and had a lot of memories from golfing with him,
    He will be missed.



  14. Caleb Stephens & Stephanie Perez on April 23, 2024 at 11:40 pm

    Life wouldn’t have been the same, and much worse, had we not lived across and in community with Don. We Loved him so much.



  15. Tracie Elliott on July 18, 2024 at 9:18 pm

    I’m so saddened to just find out the passing of this wonderful man. I was Griffeys and Busters groomer ,I enjoyed Don very much! Debbie I am so very sorry for you loss !
    My sincere condolences to the family.



  16. Macie on September 13, 2024 at 10:14 am

    The best grandfather anyone could ever ask for.



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