Dawn Michelle McDannell

Dawn Michelle McDannell, 58, of St. Joseph passed away on Monday, August 18, 2014 at Lakeland Regional Medical Center.   A Celebration of Life Service will be held at Starks & Menchinger Chapel on Wednesday, August 20, 2014 at 10:00 am. Burial will follow at Lincoln Township Cemetery. Visitation will be held Tuesday, August 19, 2014 where friends may visit from 5:00 pm until 7:00 pm at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to Blossomland Learning Center. Those wishing to sign Dawn’s Memory Book online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com.   Dawn was born September 19, 1955 to Dale and Marjorie (Hermes) McDannell. She was a special child from the day she was born. Dawn went to Gard School and then to Blossomland Learning Center in Berrien Springs. She looked forward to school dances and being a cheerleader. She had many friends. To know her is to understand her. She could put a smile on anyone’s face with her sense of humor. She loved family get-togethers, holidays and her birthday. If she had her way, she would have had a birthday every month. We called her “Queenie,” rightfully so; she had a crown and mink stole she wore constantly. Dawn will be deeply missed by her family and many friends.   Dawn is survived by her sisters, Gerry McClure, whom she lived with for 29 years and Teresa (Russell) Molnar; brother, Phillip (Evonne) McDannell; five nieces: Deborah Southard, Tammy (Robert) Oakley, Beth Herrman, Kimberly Bell, and April Burtchett; two nephews, Burland Lee McCornick and Adam McDannell a special great niece, Alicia Gilford; and two special great nephews, Dale Oakley and Jacob Southard;.   Preceding Dawn in death are her parents, brother-in-law Virgil McClure, aunts, uncles, and grandparents.