Francis Edward "Ed" McDaniel, 78, Of Gilbertsville

Francis Edward "Ed" McDaniel, 78 of Gilbertsville, formerly of Ambler, died Thursday May 24, 2012 at the Lehigh Valley Medical Center in Allentown, PA after an extended illness.

Born in Ambler, PA, he was the son of the late Charles S. and Lillian (nee Fadeley) McDaniel.

Ed was a graduate of St. Joseph's School in 1948 and of Dobbins Technical High School in Philadelphia class of 1952.

He was an Auto Mechanic, employed by a number of dealerships in the area including Knopf Chrysler Plymouth in Ambler and Gateway Nissan in Norristown prior to his retirement in 1999.

Mr. McDaniel was a former member of St. Joseph's Church in Ambler.

He was an avid train buff and modeled his train layout on the Pennsylvania Railroad. He enjoyed riding the rails of the Strasburg Railroad and visiting the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania.

Ed is the Beloved husband of Marie M.(nee Sieg) McDaniel and the Devoted father of Kathleen M. (Michael) McNamara of McKinney, TX, Sally A. (Roger) Simpson of Perkasie, PA, Richard M. (Cindy) McDaniel of Riverview, FL, Thomas E. (Jean) McDaniel of Colmar, PA, Timothy P. (Diane) McDaniel of Seminole, FL, Mary R. (Adam) Smith of Hatfield, PA, Theresa A. McDaniel of Gilbertsville, PA, Peggy M. (Robert) Steinbacher of Lansdale, PA, Barbara J. (Colum) Friel of Lansdale, PA, Bonnie J. (Thomas) Alexander of Telford, PA, John D. (Lisa) McDaniel of Quakertown, PA and the late Joseph G. McDaniel. He is the Loving Grandfather of 24 and brother of Emma Mae Connolly of Cary, NC. He was preceded in death by two brothers, Charles S. McDaniel, Jr. and Rev. John J. McDaniel.

Relatives and Friends may call Thursday May 31, 2012 from 9:00 to 10:00 AM at St. Joseph's Church, Main and Poplar Sts. Ambler with a Funeral Mass at 10:00 AM with the Rev. Eugene Tully Pastor as Celebrant. Interment will be in Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, Cheltenham.

Remembrances in his name to St. Joseph's Church, 16 S. Spring Garden Street, Ambler, PA 19002 or The Pennsylvania Railroad Historical Society C/O Andy Hart P.O. Box 54 Bryn Mawr, PA 19010-0054 would be appreciated by the family.

Tributes can be made at www.urbanfuneralhome.com