Diane McDaniel

Diane McDaniel, 68, of El Dorado, Kansas (formerly Udall, Kansas), passed away on Friday, October 24, 2025, surrounded by her family after a courageous battle with ovarian cancer.

She was born on Thursday, February 28, 1957, in Laredo, Texas to Jerry and Joy Gum. As a military child, Diane lived in many places throughout her youth, creating a lifetime of experiences and memories. She graduated from Tehran American High School in Tehran, Iran, in 1975. Shortly after graduation, she began her career at Beechcraft, where she worked in Government Contracts for 38 years and where she also met her beloved husband, John McDaniel. Diane retired in 2015, ready to embrace a new chapter filled with travel and cherished time spent with John.

Diane had a deep love for her family, especially her grandchildren. She rarely missed a game or school event, always cheering from the stands with pride and joy. Each winter, Diane and John enjoyed traveling to Texas, where they spent their days among friends and sunshine at Lemon Tree Estates in Mission, Texas—making countless memories along the way.

Diane is preceded in death by her father, Jerry Gum, and her grandparents, Lawrence and Pauline Daniel. She is survived by her mother, Joy Gum of Derby, Kansas; her husband of 27 years, John McDaniel; two daughters, Shelly (Clay) Conard of Severy, Kansas, and Jenne (Aaron) Roe of Augusta, Kansas; and three stepchildren, Andrew McDaniel of Appleton, Wisconsin, Joe McDaniel of Wichita, Kansas, and Elizabeth (Morgan) Bush of Lenexa, Kansas. Diane was a proud grandmother to Dylan Conard, Charlie Conard, Levi Roe, Daniel Bush, and Emma Bush. She is also survived by her siblings, Bob (Donna) Gum of Louisville, Kentucky; Cindy (Mike) Gadd of Derby, Kansas; and Anita (Jason) Camfield of Derby, Kansas; along with numerous nieces and nephews who dearly loved her.

Visitation will be held from 5:00-7:00 p.m. on Friday, October 31, 2025, at Smith Mortuary in Derby, Kansas. Funeral services will be at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, November 1, 2025, at Trinity United Methodist Church in El Dorado, Kansas. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or Trinity United Methodist Church in El Dorado, Kansas. Interment to follow at Hillcrest Cemetery in Derby, Kansas.