James "Jim" McDanel, 76, of Atlanta, Kansas, passed away Saturday afternoon, October 20, 2012 at Cumbernauld Village in Winfield.

Born August 28, 1936 in Appanoose County, Iowa, he was the son of Herbert and Maxine (Tucker) McDanel. He was raised and received his early education in Moravia, Iowa. His family later moved to Rockford, Illinois where he attended junior high and high school. After school Jim proudly served his country in the United States Navy. After being honorably discharge from the service he returned to Rockford.

Jim was united in marriage to Sylvia Kvick on December 3, 1965 in Rockford, Illinois. The couple made their home in the Rockford area, where Jim went to work for the Chrysler Corporation in 1966. He remained at Chrysler for over 31 years until retiring in 1997 as part of the Neon Prototype Development Team. After retiring he relocated to Atlanta, Kansas.

His family includes:
His wife: Sylvia McDanel of the home;
His mother: Maxine McDanel of Byron, IL;
His daughters: Sonja McDanel of Atlanta; Deborah Firebaugh and husband, Mark of Winfield; Heather Wilson and husband, Vince of Mountain View, MO;
His brothers: Bob McDanel of Rockford, IL; Gary McDanel of Byron, IL; Donald McDanel of Byron, IL;
His brother-in-law: Russell DeShazo of Byron, IL;
His grandchildren: Kristina Houser and husband, Luke of Oxford; Kyle and Corey Firebaugh of Winfield; Morgan and Sydney Wilson of Mountain View, Mo; and
Several nieces and nephews.

Jim was preceded in death by his father, Herbert McDanel and his sister, Sue DeShazo.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 P.M., Wednesday, October 24, 2012 at Miles Funeral Service in Winfield. Interment will follow at Mt. Vernon Cemetery east of Atlanta. Friends may call at the funeral home on Tuesday evening, October 23, 2012 from 4 to 8. The family will greet visitors from 6:30 to 8 that evening.

Memorials have been established in Jim's name for Cumbernauld Village in Winfield and for the Cowley County Humane Society. Contributions may be made through the funeral home.