Dorrance N. Daniels

Dorrance N. Daniels

Born 3/29/1934                Passed 7/16/2026

Born in Wilkes-Barre, PA, to the late John H. and Margaret Daniels, Dorrance was a 1952 graduate of Meyers High School. After trying his hand at becoming a professional baseball pitcher, he served from March 1957 to March 1959 on the Krishna in the United Stated Navy, and earned the rank of 3rd Class Store Keeper.

Following his honorable discharge in 1959, Dorrance returned home to Wilkes-Barre, where he worked as a baker at Old River Road Bakery. Eventually he went on to Certain Teed Fiberglass, from which he retired after 31 years.

Dorrance’s work life is only a very small part of his story. As a life-long Christian, Dorrance read his Bible daily and was an active member of St. Clement St. Peter Episcopal Church as long as he was able, even serving on the vestry as well as singing in the choir. His love of music led him to many activities. He joined the Masonic Lodge and rose through the degrees to allow him to join the Irem Shrine. He thoroughly loved being a Shriner and playing in their String Band, including going to Virginia Beach for The Shrines conventions every year and volunteering at the annual circus. He was also active in the Shriners Chanters and Provost Guard Groups. Dorrance was an avid golfer, and you would often find him on the greens, enjoying his time with friends.

Beginning in 1981, Dorrance discovered another passion at which he excelled at, acting. He performed in many shows, primarily at The Music Box Dinner Playhouse in Swoyersville. His favorite roll was in Camelot as Old King Pellinore. In later years he even named one of his beloved Love Birds, Pelly, in his honor. He also co-starred in the production of God and the Ghost of Woody Guthrie, in which he played The Ghost.

For the last 26 years of his life (give or take) Dorrance pursued a love and passion for singing, especially going out to karaoke. Two to three nights per week, he could be found at area bars singing Frank Sinatra (his favorite), Willie Nelson songs, and duets, especially with his best friend Johnny B (John Beierle, who became like a brother to him over the last 10 years and was very much loved). He never stopped singing, even as dementia and age stole his strength and memory.

Dorrance is preceded in death by his parents; brother, John “Jack” Daniels; and his beloved wife, Lucina J. Daniels, with whom he shared 40 years of marriage. He is survived by his sons, Glenn R. Miller and Eric Miller (wife Jacqueline), and his daughter, Linda Castrine (husband Pasquale). He is also survived by his granddaughters, Samantha Motisi (husband Matthew), and Jessica Miller (fiancé Shaan Sadiq), his daughter-in-law Joanna Miller, as well as a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and other loved ones.

The family would like to thank the staffs of Lakewood Nursing and Rehab, Fritzingertown Senior Living Community, and especially Allied Hospice in Wilkes-Barre for their care for Dorance and his family during the course of his sickness.

A viewing will be held on July 19 from 3-6PM at Kniffen O’Malley Leffler, 465 S. Main Street Wilkes-Barre. Funeral services will be on July 20 at 11:30 AM at St. Clement St. Peter’s Episocpal Church, 165 Hanover Street, Wilkes-Barre. Please go directly to the church. Interment will immediately follow at Memorial Shrine Cemetery, Wyoming.

In lieu of flowers, donations would be greatly appreciated in Dorrance’s memory to St. Clement St. Peter Episcopal Church or Shriner’s Hospitals.