James "Jim" William Darnold Sr.
DARNOLD, JOHNSON, LIETSCH, BUCKLEY, TATE, SCHMEISER, BUECHEL, RICHENBERGER, POWELL, WISE
Posted By: Stacy Bliesener (email)
Date: 1/12/2015 at 23:29:34
James "Jim" William Darnold Sr., 92, of West Burlington, died at 7:30 PM Saturday, January 10, 2015, at the Great River Hospice House in West Burlington.
Born October 30, 1922, in West Burlington, he was the son of Dewey James and Anna Victoria Johnson Darnold. On November 25, 1948, he married Patricia Jane Lietsch at St. Mary's Catholic Church in West Burlington.
Jim worked as a Machinist and Method Engineer for Burlington Northern Railroad shops for 40 years, retiring in 1981. He was a self-taught carpenter renovating and rebuilding homes and furniture. He was also a skilled mechanic rebuilding small engines and general repairs.
Jim was a 1942 graduate of Burlington High School. He attended Burlington Junior College for one year.
Jim was a U.S. Navy Veteran, serving during World War II in the Atlantic and Pacific Theatres from November 23, 1942 until December 9, 1945. Later in life, he went on the Honor Flight with other World War II veterans to Washington D.C.
He enjoyed watching Sprint Invader Races, Golden Gloves Boxing, football, and riding his motorcycle. He loved listening to Midwest Country Music and playing the guitar. Jim was a passionate treasure hunter. He enjoyed repairing and sharing his finds with his family. He also enjoyed attending three generations of state fairs, raising chickens, and walking the mall with friends. He was a wonderful caretaker to his family and friends.
Survivors include his wife Patricia; nine children, Colleen (Sam) Buckley of Burlington, Eileen (Frank) Tate of Gladstone, IL, Debbie (Dale "Butch") Schmeiser of Burlington, James W. "Jamey" (Nancy) Darnold, Jr. of Elburn, IL, Mary Joan (Mike) Buechel of West Burlington, Maureen (Tony) Richenberger of Burlington, Rosemary (Randy) Powell of Chattanooga, TN, David (Jan) Darnold of Randleman, NC, and Daniel (Lynn) Darnold of Waverly; 23 grandchildren, Brooke, Mitchell, Jennifer, Ali, Benjamin, Dustin, Brandon, Layla, Ryan, Sara, Noah, Mariah, Jacob, Kara, Cody, Caleb, Amber, Paige, Kelsey, Brandi, Lauren, Nathan, and Christian; 21 great-grandchildren; one sister, Betty Darnold Atkinson of Burlington; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Beside his parents, he was preceded in death by three siblings, Harold Darnold, Robert "Bob" Darnold, and Donna Darnold Wise; and one grandchild, Jordan.
Visitation will be from 1:00 PM until 7:00 PM with the family to receive friends from 5:00 PM until 7:00 PM Wednesday, January 14, 2015 at Thielen Funeral Home.
The funeral service for Mr. Darnold will be 10:30 AM Thursday, January 15, 2015, at Thielen Funeral Home with Reverend Dean Graber officiating and full military honors rendered by the Burlington Area Veterans Honor Guard. Burial will be in Aspen Grove Cemetery. A time of food and fellowship will be held in the community room at Thielen Funeral Home following the burial.
Memorials have been established for Hope Haven Area Development Center and the Special Needs Foundation of Des Moines County.
http://www.thielenfuneralhome.com/obituary?id=1469928
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