Jess McDaniel Jr., 90, of Shelbyville passed away Thursday, December 3, 2020, at his home.
He was born June 17, 1930, in Liberty, the son of Jess Sr. and Ercie (Davis) McDaniel. On September 20, 1957, he married Mary Lou Welch, and she preceded him in death on November 3, 1993.
He married Marilyn June (Asher) Green on September 27, 1997, and she survives.
In addition to Marilyn, Jess is survived by his daughters, Shoshanna Everhart and husband, Bruce, of Waldron, Regina Laird and husband, Ted, of Arlington; sons, Shawn McDaniel of Batavia, Ohio, and Rhett McDaniel of Nashville, Tennessee; step-daughter, Sheri Crist and husband, Dale, of Fountaintown; grandchildren, Blake Everhart and wife, Ashley, Jordan England and husband, Brian, Jacob Laird and wife, Elizabeth, Morgan Jarman and husband, Adam, Nolan Laird and wife, Kari, Mitchell Laird and fiancé, Keely Springman, Wyatt McDaniel, Katelyn Crist, Nathan Harley, Ali Thomas and husband, Jeremy, Angi Lewis and husband, Mike and Ashlea Harley; great-grandchildren, Brody Everhart, Hayden Everhart, Vivian Everhart, Ruby England, Evan Mae England, Von England and Sutton Laird; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Jess was also preceded in death by his sisters, Betty Ray, Hazel Ross, Rose Hurst and Lena Brewer; brothers, Harold McDaniel and David McDaniel; and step-children, Teri (Noble) Harley and Michael Dean.
He graduated in 1948 from Short High School and received his bachelors degree in economics from Earlham College.
Jess was a U.S. Air Force veteran, serving during the Korean Conflict.
He was a member of the Waldron Methodist Church.
Jess began his banking career working at First Bank of Indianapolis, then while in Florida, he worked at First Bank of Pompano Beach. Upon returning to Indiana, he worked at Irwin Union Bank and then served as president of Shelby National Bank until 1980. He retired as the director of the Shelby County Planning Commission in 2005. After retirement, he worked at Indiana Grand in public relations.
He was the oldest living Rotarian and had been a dedicated member of the Shelbyville Rotary Club, since 1973. Jess was also a member of Quails Unlimited.
Jess enjoyed singing and listening to music. He also enjoyed woodworking, hunting, fishing and reading poetry. Jess also judged field trials and raised and trained bird dogs.
Visitation will be from 2 to 4 p.m. Tuesday, December 8, 2020, at Freeman Family Funeral Homes and Crematory, Carmony-Ewing Chapel, 819 S. Harrison St. in Shelbyville.
Private family services will be conducted. Military rites will be conducted by the local military committee.
Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, CDC guidelines requiring a mask and social distancing will be observed. There will be a limit of 50 people allowed inside the funeral home at a time.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Shelbyville Rotary Club, 308 N. Harrison St., Shelbyville, Indiana 46176.
Online condolences may be shared with Jess’ family at www.freemanfamilyfuneralhomes.com.
