Gwendolyn McDaniel

A service celebrating the life of Gwendolyn McDaniel will be held at The First Presbyterian Church on Sunday, April 15, 2018, at 1 p.m. followed by refreshments with the family afterwards.

Gwendolyn (“Gwen”) V. McDaniel, age 100, passed away on Feb. 21, 2018, at IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital. She was born in Jay County, Indiana, in 1918, the daughter of Clarence C. and Vashti (Vance) Martin and had recently celebrated her 100th birthday. She graduated from Portland High School in 1935. Gwen was the queen of the Portland Centennial in 1936. She was married to Wendell Williamson in 1937, and he died in 1973. She married Lee McDaniel in 1986, and he died in 2013.

She is survived by her son, Ted Martin Williamson, and his wife, Fadia Fayad Williamson, who live in Vermont. She is also survived by her stepchildren, Tom McDaniel (wife: Elaine) of Lopez Island, Washington, Cindy Merchant (husband: Jerry) of Mt. Dora, Florida, and David McDaniel (wife: Beth) of Carmel, Indiana; seven step-grandchildren; eight step-great-grandchildren; a brother, Royce Martin of Palatine, Illionis; her brother Bill’s widow, Elisabeth Martin, of Columbus, Georgia; six nieces and three nephews. She was preceded in death by a brother, Bill Martin, in 2015.

Memorials can be made to Arts Place, First Presbyterian Church of Portland or the donor’s favorite charity. Baird-Freeman Funeral Home are in charge of arrangements. 

Condolences may be expressed at bairdfreeman.com.