Cherie McDaniel

Cherie McDaniel was a strong, resourceful woman who cherished her family and successfully built a nurturing, loving home. Known for her competitive spirit, moral courage, and unwavering love for her family, Cherie lived a life full of purpose, adventure, and cherished memories. She was known for speaking her mind, and those closest to her knew where she stood at all times. A champion for those in need, Cherie never hesitated to do what's right or to stand up for others. A cherished mother, grandmother, sister, and friend, Cherie will long be remembered and so very missed.

For much of 1929, the year continued to ride the decade's roaring wave of peace, prosperity, and hope. The nation celebrated the recent inventions of Penicillin, the iron lung, bubble gum, and the Yo-Yo, as well as Charles Lindbergh's Congressional Medal of Honor and Amelia Earhart becoming the first woman to fly solo across the Atlantic. As the wave of sweeping social and economic growth rapidly increased, nowhere was there more hope for the future than in the home of Robert and Georgia (Beam) Breed, who welcomed their daughter Cherie on June 18 in Three Rivers, Michigan.

Growing up during the Great Depression, Cherie's early years were fraught with financial struggles that resulted in a lot of moving around. She spent a lot of time with her grandmother, Mami, who raised her. Mami was a source of strength and perseverance, and Cherie loved her very much. Though life was challenging, Cherie learned to be strong and resourceful from a very young age.

Cherie's schooling began in Paw Paw before moving to Schoolcraft. She possessed a photographic memory and had strong memories from as young as two. A very studious student, Cherie was honor-society material. She was also a natural athlete and exercised her athleticism through cheerleading, basketball and tennis throughout High School, taking the Class D State Championship in tennis. Smart and trustworthy, Cherie was beloved and trusted by her teachers. One of her teachers even loaned her his car to drive all the cheerleaders to a game. She took the responsibility very seriously and returned the vehicle in perfect condition.

At the age of 16, Cherie met her future husband, Dick McDaniel. Dick noticed Cherie in her beautiful yellow dress while visiting a friend in Schoolcraft and immediately fell for her. He learned who she was and told her he would have a car in two weeks and would pick her up for a date. Two weeks later, he picked her up in his dad's car and took her for a soda in downtown Schoolcraft. And as they say, the rest is history.

The happy couple married on August 5, 1950, in the Methodist Church in Schoolcraft and officially began their 60-year marriage with a romantic honeymoon at Dick's father's cottage on Long Lake in Cadillac, Michigan. Cherie and Dick waited five years before starting a family of their own, during which Cherie worked at KVP in the art department and then at a local bank. They were then blessed with two wonderful children: Mark and Susan.

Cherie devoted herself to creating a loving and supportive home. She was an awesome mother who was always there for her children, ensuring opportunities to pursue their interests and encouraging their academics. Whether serving on the PTA, being a den mother for Cub Scouts, volunteering to help with school functions, or encouraging her children's participation in ballet, scouts, baseball, and other activities, Cherie proudly cheered her children in all their endeavors. With great care, Cherie created a nurturing, supportive environment that never revealed in the early years the family's challenging financial situation to her children.

Cherie ran a good, well-organized house, where everything had to be clean, and everything had a spot. Cherie taught her children to be very independent and self-supportive, encouraging a good work ethic and helping them understand that they had to care for themselves through life. A self-taught chef, she believed cooking was an essential life skill and taught her kids to cook and bake, starting with cookie recipes. Breakfast for dinner was one of her favorite meals while raising her kids. Though the family didn't eat out much, Cherie loved going to her favorite restaurant, Bill Knapp's, for birthdays and special occasions. Even long after her children moved out, Cherie continued to mother them, reminding them to brush their teeth and take good care of themselves.

A woman of many interests, Cherie loved cars, especially sports cars and smaller convertibles. For a time, she had a Pontiac convertible, then a Firebird, and then a Mazda 626. Sadly, as the family grew and required a larger vehicle, she had to drive a van, which she hated. Cherie was also a photographer for a time. In the 80s, she took pictures of historical buildings around Kalamazoo, which were later printed on a calendar. Later in life, Cherie picked up sports like tennis, golf, and bowling. Tennis was her passion; she enjoyed playing in leagues, winning competitions and trophies until she was 74. For 35 years, Cherie volunteered for the USTA Boys' National Tennis Tournament at Kalamazoo College, working at the event's scoring tower, registration, and organization. Playing Bridge with her women friends was always a good time. Though she would never admit it, she was very competitive and rarely lost any game she played. Cherie was a Michigan State University super-fan, and she was very proud of and loved that her children both went to Michigan State.

The family shared many great memories together at the cottage over the years. Cherie liked how unplugged it was and how that nurtured her relationships with her husband and children. She and Dick enjoyed spending time outdoors, hiking, row-boating, fishing, and relaxing around bonfires at night.

A true matriarch, Cherie's indomitable spirit and fierce protection of others never wavered. Even in her final years, while staying at assisted living, she would often speak up for other residents who had issues and would sometimes get in trouble for doing so. Her children joked that it was their turn to have "Parent/Teacher meetings with the principle" at the retirement home for their mother. Cherie's steadfast love, support, love of learning, and resilience are the cornerstones of her legacy. As we celebrate her beautiful life, may we find comfort in the honor of carrying this legacy forward. In each moment we confidently navigate life's challenges, enjoy spending time outdoors, cheer on our loved ones' dreams and goals, encourage self-care, and demand the quality care of others, we keep Cherie's bright memory alive and inspiring others as she so inspired each of us.

Cherie McDaniel, of Kalamazoo, age 95, died on December 30, 2024. Cherie was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Dick, son-in-law Barry Bowen, and half-brother Gary Breed. Surviving are her children, Susan Bowen and Mark (Mary) McDaniel; grandchildren, Kelly (Tomas), Jenn (Todd), Mike, and Matthew; three great grandchildren; brother-in-law Rush (Diane) McDaniel; and siblings, Wes Crawford and half-sister Terrie Cummins.

Celebrate Cherie's life online by sharing your favorite stories and photos on her dedicated webpage at BetzlerLifeStory.com. Betzler Life Story Funeral Homes, 6080 Stadium Dr. Kalamazoo. (269) 375-2900. Memorial contributions may be made to Haven House Family Shelter in East Lansing. Please designate “in memory of Cherie McDaniel” with your contribution.