James "Cotton" McDaniel

July 1, 1923 - June 8, 2012

James “Cotton” McDaniel, 88, of Benton Harbor went to be with the Lord on Friday, June 8, 2012 at his home. Services celebrating his life will be held at 11AM on Tuesday, June 12, at the Fairplain Chapel of Florin Funeral Service in Benton Harbor with Rev. William Hughes officiating. Burial will follow in Mount Pleasant Cemetery in Sodus Township. The family will receive friends and relatives from 5 PM to 8 PM on Monday at the Fairplain Chapel. Memorials may be made to Hospice at Home. Cotton was born on July 1, 1923 in McHenry, KY to Will and Ruth McDaniel. He married his wife, Barb Rutkowski, on March 31, 1951 in Benton Harbor and together they have celebrated 61 years of marriage. He retired in 1980 after 25 years with Whirlpool where he was manager of the Display Dept. He enjoyed going to the Ponderosas Restaurant with his brother and grandson and more recently to McDonalds and Michigan City. Cotton also enjoyed making his home made chill along with some of his favorite foods like beans, corn bread, and fried potatoes. He loved being around friends and family. Cotton was a loving father and a good provider for his family. He is survived by his wife, Barb; his daughters, Deborah (Everett) Lumpkins of Stevensville, Kathy (Dennis) Kessinger of Benton Harbor, and Karen McDaniel of Benton Harbor; his brother, Bob McDaniel of Benton Harbor; his sister, Loretta Schultz of Port Richie, FL; his 2 grandchildren and his several nieces and nephews.