Serving families is what we do best. It’s reassuring to know that the Dannel family has been in the funeral business since 1896. For over 100 years, each generation of Dannels has passed along the pride, the expertise and the compassion that distinguishes us. Mrs. John C. Dannel II (Pat) and son, Charles Oliver Dannel III, continue the family tradition of serving their neighbors and their community with exemplary leadership and genuine care. 

Our heritage is built on doing the extra things that families appreciate. We know that many people are uncomfortable with planning or even attending a funeral. It’s not unusual to feel awkward and unsure about what to do. We will lead you through every decision, helping you understand options so that your family receives the gift of a well-planned, personalized and unique tribute.

Every family has a history. We are interested in know about you and your family. We thought you might enjoy reading about ours:

In the 1880s, Charles Oliver Dannel, a farmer who also owned and operated a furniture store and undertaking parlor in Greenfield, Illinois, began the tradition of exceptional service. His son, John Carlton Dannel and his wife of one month, Flossie Wade Dannel, arrived in Denison, Texas on the train in 1908. They had come from Illinois and were eager to establish themselves and their business, the Sherman Undertaking Company. The legacy has continued through many generations and several locations. In 1923 Dannel Funeral Home was built at its present location on Walnut Street -- one of the first in the State of Texas built specifically as a funeral home. The building was awarded a Texas State Historical Marker in 2009.

Current owner, Pat Dannel, began working at the funeral home while she was a school nurse, acquiring her funeral director’s license and taking over management of Dannel Funeral Home after the death of her husband in 1997. Charles O. Dannel III carries on the family tradition. He first documented his desire to carry on the family tradition in the third grade, when he drew a picture of a casket with beautiful flowers and, standing next to it, the strong presence of his dad.

About his mother, Charles said, “My mom has taught me the very definition of service. Her actions show me that she values people over ‘the bottom line.’ She does everything with class and respect for the people she serves and I think that is how she has distinguished herself.”

Dannel Funeral Home provides a complete range of funeral, cremation, burial, and pre-planning services. Every family is different. That’s why we provide numerous options, from the latest media technology to time-honored traditions. We want you to be well-informed about the choices available, so we will devote time and attention to learning what is important to you and how we can best assist your family.

“Helping families is a gift,” said Pat. “Everybody reacts differently to a loved one’s death, but all want to know that you understand and will help make challenging decisions a little easier. Compassion is a word that gets used a lot, but it really is intrinsic to reaching people in a meaningful way.”

Charles sums up the family heritage in another word: Dignity. More than a way of doing business with integrity, dignity is paramount with every service.