Extracted from The Press Democrat (Petaluma, CA)
Thursday, February 26, 2009

Ernest W. ``Mac'' McDaniel

World War II Veteran. Died in peace and comfort at 89 on Tuesday, February 17, 2009.

Born April 30, 1919 in Oklahoma. A resident of Palm Desert who spent summers in Sonoma County. Served with General Patton in Europe and North Africa as a soldier in the US Army. As the Campaign for Normandy and Operation Overload came to a conclusion, he ended up in Paris for the liberation parade and celebration on August 25, 1945.

After growing up one of nine siblings on a rented farm outside of Comanche, Oklahoma, and having joined the Civilian Conservation Corps during the Depression, Mac had now seen Paris, and within a few years made his way to California. Throughout his career he was a manufacturing plant manager, ran an oil pipe distributing operation, and owned a window installation business and repair shop. His last business was a cooler and air conditioning service in the Coachella Valley, where he also assisted in his son's painting and contracting jobs.

Predeceased by his wife, Ann Maureen McDaniel, in 2004; son, Van McDaniel, in 2007; four sisters and four brothers.

Mac leaves devoted daughters Woody Jordan and her husband Willie of Rancho Cucamonga, California, and Maureen McDaniel Merrill and her husband Mike of Windsor; daughter-in-law Wadie Griffin of Rancho Mirage; granddaughters Kelly McDaniel and Nicole Jordan; and beloved friends and neighbors the Frenznick Family of Palm Desert. He was called ``Grandpa'' by Carolina Sanchez, loved and admired as a father figure by Luis Israel Sosa, and treasured as a friend and cooking partner by Pegi Ball. Missed also by friend and neighbor Chuck Elsbree, with whom Mac enjoyed frequent farm talk over the vineyard fence.

Mac and Ann made many friendships in Windsor. Mac helped the Town of Windsor incorporation campaign with the Merrills and friends in 1991, planting signs around town and keeping them upright. A dedicated gardener and BBQ master for many social, Rotary and family events.

Military honors will be conducted at Desert Memorial Park in Cathedral City, California. A remembrance, blessing and reception will be held at 5:00 p.m., March 4, 2009, at The Miramonte in Indian Wells.