George "Slabs" Daniels

George Robert "Slabs" Daniels, 86, of Channing, passed away peacefully at his home on Friday, May 11, 2012. Bob was born June 20, 1925, in Hancock, son of the late George and Lucille (Radell) Daniels. He grew up in Channing and graduated from Channing High School in 1943. A lifelong flag-flying, patriotic man, Bob joined the United States Navy after high school to do his part for the war effort. It was always with a touch of regret that he quipped about fighting "the battle of Terre Haute, Ind." as the war ended before he saw action overseas. On Oct. 20, 1956, Bob married the love of his life, Mary Clyatt, in Crystal Falls. His devotion to her and to his family was an inspiration to everyone. Happiest when surrounded by family and friends, he was always up for anything, from "color tours" to fishing trips, to our every Saturday night, card club. He loved to help others with a cheerful attitude. "Slabs" was a railroad man, working for the Milwaukee Road for 40 years as a conductor; first on the wonderful old passenger trains such as the "Hiawatha" and "Chippewa" and also on the freight trains until his retirement in 1986. He collected railroad memorabilia and had about a million stories that he loved to tell. A self-taught pianist, Bob loved to share his considerable talent whenever he could. He developed his unique style of playing the swing standards and ballads of the 40s, and in his later years, the strength of his faith showed through in the hymns he taught himself. He will be sadly missed by the residents and staff of the Iron County Medical Care Facility, where he put on a show every other Saturday for many years. Those of us who knew and loved the man and his music are smiling to think of a little combo playing up in Heaven, with a trumpet, a clarinet, a drummer, and a man at the piano with a twinkle in his eye and a big grin on his face, playing a perfect Twelfth Street Rag. Bob is survived by his beloved wife of 55 years, Mary; daughters, Diane (Vincent) Roell, MaryLu Daniels, and Carolyn (Bob) Kennard, all of Channing; "adopted" son, Mychael Stafford of Green Bay, Wis.; brother James (Florence) Daniels of Wakefield; 10 grandchildren, Brian (Kendra) Roell, Joseph (Bronwyn) Roell, James (Julie) Roell, Karisa (Dave) Falls, Wade (Daphne) Kennard, Blake Kennard, Abigail (Benjamin) Garcia, Katelyn (Kyle) Kubacki, Bailey Stafford and Jacob Stafford; seven great-grandchildren and an eighth great-grandchild he would have been proud to welcome in June. In addition to his parents, Bob was preceded in death by his stepfather, Owen Sayers and a brother, John Daniels. Visitation will be Wednesday from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Erickson-Rochon & Nash Funeral Home in Iron Mountain and from 10:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Thursday at the Grace Presbyterian Church in Sagola. The funeral service will follow Thursday at 11 a.m. at the church. Rev. David Anderson will officiate. Burial will be in the Channing Cemetery. Military honors will be accorded by the Cuculi-Baraga Post 168. Memorials may be made to the North Dickinson Music Department. Condolences to the family of Bob Daniels may be expressed online at ernashfuneralhomes.com. The family has entrusted the Erickson-Rochon & Nash Funeral Home of Iron Mountain with the arrangements.

George "Slabs" Daniels

May 11, 1926 - May 11, 2012