After a life of love and quiet grace, James F. "Smokey" Daniel of Willard, OH has passed.
Below, the simplest tribute: the truth of a life as it was lived.
James held deeply to the Catholic faith — and was, by all accounts, loved by those who knew him best.
Those who live by belief leave a different kind of mark.
James F. "Smokey" Daniel, age 85 of Willard, Ohio passed away Monday, May 4, 2026 at the Embassy Nursing Home in Willard, Ohio, surrounded by his family. He was born July 23, 1940 in Willard, Ohio to the late Herman and Mildred (Sherwood) Daniel. He retired from RR Donnelley in Willard after 45 years of service and served in the National Guard. He was a former member of the St. Sebastian Catholic Church and now the St. Gaspar del Bufalo Catholic Church. He had attended the Pontifical College Josephinum in Columbus and then graduated from Willard High School in 1958. He was very active in any Civil War re-enactment and was a lifelong member of the NRA. Smokey is survived by his wife Garnetta A. (Phillips) Daniel, whom he married June 10, 1972; 3 children, Tammy (Joshua) Beard of Attica, John Daniel (Heidi Slone) of New Washington and Brian Daniel of Attica along with 3 grandchildren, Madison Beard, Walker Daniel and DJ Slone; and many nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents, Herman and Mildred Daniel and 4 brothers, Herman Jr., Kenneth, Milton "Red" and Norman "Shorty" Daniel. The family would like to mention a special Thank You to the nurses and aides at the Embassy Nursing Home and the Kind Hearts Hospice. Smokey's calling hours will be Friday, May 8, 2026 from 4:00 to 8:00 PM at the Secor Funeral Home in Willard. The funeral mass will be celebrated on Saturday, May 9, 2026 at 11:00 AM at the St. Gaspar del Bufalo Catholic Church in Bellevue, with Fr. Joseph Joseph officiating. Burial will follow at the St. Sebastian Catholic Cemetery in Bismark. Memorial contributions may be made to Pontifical College Josephinum. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.secorfuneralhomes.com. Secor Funeral Home has been entrusted with the arrangements.
