- Date Of Birth: April 25, 1938
- Date Of Death: March 3, 2016
- State: Illinois
Ronald W. Darland, 77, of Virginia, IL died Thursday, March 3, 2016, at his residence.
He was born April 25, 1938 in Beardstown, IL, the son of Gerald C. “Red” and Mildred M. “Millie” Lindley Darland. He married Vivian Springer and they later divorced. He married Patsy Beaucham Smith on September 22, 1984 in Virginia, IL and she survives.
He is also survived by two children, Jeff Darland and Rhonda Ream (husband, Michael), both of Phoenix, AZ; three step children, Rob Smith (wife, Marla) of Virginia, Mark Smith of Weslaco, TX, and Kandy Horrer (husband, Kerry) of Virginia; five grandchildren, Parker, Gauge, and Dylan Darland and Kain and Piper Ream, all of Phoenix, AZ; five step grandchildren, Missy Smith of Virginia, Kara Greene of Cheyenne, WY, John Dickerson of Texas, Megan Seitzinger of Jacksonville, and Devin Clemons of Virginia; a great granddaughter, Jovi Seitzinger; and five step great grandchildren, Hailee, Nathan, Lucas, Payten and Sasha Dickerson. He was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Ruth E. Darr; and his former wife, Vivian.
Following graduation from high school, Ron served with the US Navy aboard the aircraft carrier, USS Roosevelt. He managed an RV Park in the Phoenix area for several years before returning to central Illinois. He was then employed 20 years with Mobil Chemical/Pactiv in Jacksonville.
He was a member of Shiloh Cumberland Presbyterian Church. He and his wife enjoyed black powder shooting and were active members of the Muscouten Bay Gun Club in Beardstown and the Coon Run Gun Club in Chapin. He thoroughly enjoyed solving the world’s problems with his coffee club friends. He had a deep love of his family and an amazing ability to repair almost anything
