Shawn Daniels

Shawn Daniels

Troy Mills

Shawn Richard Daniels, 41, of Troy Mills, Iowa, belonged to a family who knew how to fix things and take care of others. He spent most of his life doing just that. On Oct. 1, 2023, Shawn’s poor body just couldn’t be fixed anymore and he passed peacefully, in his sleep at home.

Shawn was born to Nancy (Robinson) and Rufus Daniels on March 11, 1982. He was raised in Troy Mills, Iowa, the community he was proud to call home his entire life. He graduated from North Linn High School in 2000 with many of his closest lifelong friends. Shawn was a true entrepreneur from a young age and had many jobs and ventures during his youth including mowing lawns, selling nightcrawlers, working for Gary’s Auto, Brislawn Logging, and the Walker Sale Barn. Shawn worked hard to earn an Eagle Scout badge. He won numerous trophies with his favorite big blue mud running truck. Shawn left college to pursue an apprenticeship with H & J Heating and Cooling. He spent a number of years working for them while earning his plumbing, electrical and HVAC licenses. He then established SD Homes building spec houses. Shawn was born with an innate sense of determination and was raised with an unwavering work ethic that laid the foundation for his solo venture, Source One Heating and Cooling. He was not just a business owner; he was a trusted provider of comfort and warmth to countless homes in Troy Mills and the surrounding areas. Shawn also had several rental properties, an AirBnB rental home in Michigan and a small herd of Kiko goats that he absolutely adored.

Shawn spent most of his younger years following his dad around learning how to fix things, and then as he got older he would break those things and figure out how to repair them all over again. Shawn had an incredible zest for life and rarely found an adventure he wasn't willing to try. He loved anything that involved being outdoors, but boating, fishing, hunting and snowmobiling were some of his favorites. Shawn grew up on the Wapsi river and there was nothing that brought him more joy than spending time on the river that he called home. Shawn was a constant figure in the close-knit community and he rarely met anyone he couldn’t call a friend. His smile was incredibly infectious, his sense of humor wickedly sharp, and his heart made of pure gold. Shawn faced some health struggles in his later years, meeting each challenge head-on, and fought back to champion every battle with the rare ability to always find a silver lining along the way.

Shawn will be missed by all those who knew and loved him, but especially by his mother, father and dear sister Sonya (Thornton), along with extended family in Northwest Iowa and Minnesota. Shawn was preceded in death by his grandparents, uncles Ray Daniels, Jeff Robinson and his beloved brother-in-law Derek Thornton, along with a number of friends who also left us too soon. We know he’s enjoying all his best fishing holes with them right now.

A celebration of life will be held on Sunday, Oct. 29, from 2 to 5 p.m. at the American Legion Hall in Troy Mills, Iowa. Cards and condolences may be sent to the family at 3126 Coggon Rd., Troy Mills, IA 52344.