Drew Kristofer McDaniel, of Champaign, was involved in a fatal motorcycle accident in Savoy on Thursday, Sept. 18, just a few days prior to his 26th birthday.

He was on leave from active military duty in Iraq spending time with his family, friends and loved ones.

Visitation will be from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday, September 21st at Morgan Memorial Home, 1304 Regency Drive West, Savoy. Drew will be buried in a private military ceremony at Camp Butler in Springfield on Monday.

Drew was born Sept. 21, 1982, in Urbana, a son of Mike and Katrina McDaniel. His son, Blake Michael McDaniel, age 5, resides in Athens, Ill., with his mother Brittney Dura.

Survivors also include a grandmother, Kathryn Piper of Savoy; father Mike McDaniel of Champaign; four brothers, Shane of Chicago, Tad of Houston, Kip and Jaes of Champaign and a sister, Keely Ashman, also of Champaign.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Katrina, in 2003, his maternal grandfather, Harold Piper, and his paternal grandparents, Arnold and Geniel McDaniel.

After graduating from Central High School in 2001 and attending Parkland College, Drew spent nearly six years in the Army as a Specialist in Military Intelligence. He was deployed to Iraq from Fort Leonard Wood, Mo., earlier this year.

He had nearly completed his professional EMT training. Throughout his service in the military, Drew also spent considerable time in South Korea, Arizona and Missouri.

Drew was a proud, devoted father and well loved by many. He died doing what he loved and his untimely passing will not soon be forgotten.

Memorials may be made on behalf of Blake McDaniel's education fund: c/o Kip McDaniel at The Refinery 2302 West John Street Champaign, IL 61821.