Sharon K. McDaniel

Sharon Kay McDaniel, age 71, of Marion, Ohio, completed her earthly journey and was called home to be with her Lord and Savior on Sunday, September 27, 2026, at Wyandot Memorial Hospital in Upper Sandusky.

Sharon was born on August 18, 1955, to Clarence and Ruth (Taylor) West. From the beginning, hers would become a life defined not simply by the years she lived, but by the people she loved, the hands she held, the knowledge she shared, and the countless ways she made herself available whenever someone needed her.

On August 15, 1975, Sharon married Hobert McDaniel at Grand Prairie Baptist Church. Together, they built more than fifty years of marriage around family, faith, hard work, laughter, and a lifetime of memories. Hobert survives in Marion.

Sharon is also survived by her son, Tobin McDaniel of Marion; two grandchildren, Brayzin and Kaylor McDaniel, both of Marion; sister, Linda Williams of Sunbury; brother, Tom West of Marengo; sister-in-law, Rose West of Mount Gilead; and sister-in-law, Elaine (Roger) Hall of West Union. She also leaves behind numerous nieces and nephews, dear friends, and a work family gathered over decades of serving others.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Clarence and Ruth West, and her siblings, Charles, Marilyn, and John West.

A 1973 graduate of Highland High School, Sharon discovered early in life that caring for others was not simply something she did—it was part of who she was. While still in high school at the age of 16, she began her career as a candy striper at Morrow County Hospital. Soon after graduation, she became a nurse’s aide at Marion General Hospital before beginning the pharmacy career that would become such an important part of her life.

As a pharmacy technician, Sharon shared far more than her professional knowledge. She shared her patience, wisdom, work ethic, stories, laughter, and genuine concern for the people around her. Her career eventually brought her to the wonderful teams at Wyandot Memorial Hospital and Grady Memorial Hospital in Delaware. Even retirement could not quite convince Sharon to stay away. She continued working part time at Wyandot Memorial because sitting still was never really Sharon’s way—and neither was walking away from people who had become family. She loved being useful, she loved helping, and perhaps most of all, she loved knowing she could make someone else's day a little easier.

Away from work, Sharon found joy in some of life's simplest and most meaningful things. She loved gardening, caring for the many animals that found their way into her heart over the years, and helping Hobert with his dogs. She cherished time spent with family and friends and rarely needed an elaborate reason to make a memory. Sometimes all it took was good company, a destination, and a little trip in the “Senior Buggy.”

Those who knew Sharon knew that she had a gift for showing up. She showed up with advice when it was needed, honesty when it mattered, a helping hand when there was work to be done, and love when words simply were not enough. She could tell a story with such vivid detail that you felt as though you had been there beside her. She shared what she knew freely, worked hard without needing recognition, and gave of herself because being needed brought her genuine joy.

Sharon leaves behind a lifetime of stories that will continue to be told, lessons that will continue to be passed down, and a love that will continue to be felt in the lives of those fortunate enough to have received it. Her absence will be deeply felt, because a heart like Sharon's occupied a great deal of space in this world. But for those who share the faith she held so dearly, there is comfort in knowing that Sunday morning was not simply a goodbye. It was a homecoming.

Visitation for Sharon will be held from 10:30 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. on Thursday, October 1, 2026, at Grand Prairie Baptist Church in Marion, Ohio. A funeral service will begin at 12:00 p.m., officiated by Pastor Floyd Radabaugh. Burial will immediately follow at Grand Prairie Cemetery. Following the burial, family and friends are invited to return to the church for a luncheon and time of fellowship.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Tunnel to Towers Foundation and may be sent to Lucas-Batton, 476 S. Sandusky Ave., Upper Sandusky, OH 43351.