Michael C. Daniels - Rochester - Post Bulletin | Rochester Minnesota news, weather, sports

Published January 16, 2012 at 10:00 PM

Michael C. Daniels, 61, of Rochester, passed away Thursday, Jan. 12, 2012, at his residence.

Michael Charles Daniels was born Oct. 26, 1950, to William and Helen (King) Daniels in Lima, Ohio. He grew up in Madison, Ohio, and graduated from Madison High School in 1969. He worked as a plumber apprentice until 1974, when he enlisted in the U.S. Navy, where he served as a boiler technician. He was discharged Aug. 16, 1983, as chief petty officer. On Sept. 5, 1981, he married Kaylin Beth Fee in Orlando, Fla. Michael and Kaylin moved to Fargo, N.D., where he worked in maintenance at North Dakota State University. A year later they moved to Fergus Falls, where he worked at the incinerator. Within a year, they moved to Rochester, where Michael served as supervisor at the Rochester incinerator until he was recruited to be a business agent for the Operating Engineers Local #49. He retired in 2009. Michael then became a business partner with Mel Dickie at M&M Custom Rods.

He taught custom fishing rod building in the Rochester schools and with Rochester Community Education.

Michael is survived by his wife, Kaylin of Rochester; four daughters, Patricia (Shelby) Ashburn of Concord, Ohio, Tiffiany (Dan) McCarty of Knoxville, Tenn., Helen Daniels of Minneapolis and Samantha Daniels of Rochester; two grandchildren, Meghan McCarty and Kellan Ashburn; two brothers, Ernie (Barbara) Gronas of Indian Lake, Ohio and Robert Jr. (Sharon) Daniels of Lima, Ohio; sister-in-law, Jeanie Gronas of Lima, Ohio. He was especially fond of his dog, Gilligan, whom he also leaves behind. He was preceded in death by his parents, William and Helen and a brother, Joe Gronas.

A memorial service will be held on Wednesday, Jan. 18, at 1:30 p.m. at Ranfranz and Vine Funeral Homes.

Visitation will be from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 17, at Ranfranz and Vine Funeral Homes, and one hour prior to the service on Wednesday.

Ranfranz and Vine Funeral Homes, 5421 Royal Place NW Rochester, MN 55901. 507-289-3600.