Darrell C. Childers
(January 23, 1935 - December 26, 2013)
Darrell Clark Childers, 78, of Alvin, WI, passed away Thursday, December 26, 2013 at his home.
He was born January 23, 1935 in Hall’s Summit, Kansas, the son of the Reverend Vernon and Mary (Godden) Childers. He honorably served his country in the U.S. Army from August 20, 1958 until his discharge on August 19, 1964.
Darrell graduated from Gateway College, Racine, Wisconsin in 1974 with his degree in Fire Science. On December 30, 1989, he retired from the City of Kenosha Fire Department as a Lieutenant, after serving faithfully for twenty five years. Following his retirement from the Kenosha Fire Department, he was a fire instructor at Nicolet College for twelve years. He also served as fire chief for the Alvin Volunteer Fire Department for five years.
In 1956 he married Rosalind Block, and to that union, his son Dean was born. The marriage ended in divorce. In 1961 he married Wanda Puckett, and they had two daughters, Darla and DeAnna.
Darrell was a member of Grace Foursquare Church of Rhinelander, WI. He was also a member of The Retired Professional Firefighter’s of Wisconsin, The National Riflemen’s Association, The American Legion Post 0094, the Forest County Lakes Association, and long time member and past president of the Kenosha Ramblers Camper’s and Hikers Association. He owned and operated a photography studio "Creations by Darrell" for twenty years. He was an accomplished organist, loved the outdoors, fishing, hunting, and woodworking. He especially loved his children and grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents in November of 1958, his sister Laverna Henderson in November of 2006, and his brother, Paul in May of 2011.
Darrell is survived by his wife Wanda; son, Dean (Cherilyn) Norfleet of Chalfont, PA; daughters, Darla Childers of Kenosha, WI, and DeAnna (Bruce) Klawitter of Salem, SC; grandsons, Christopher (Kelly) Norfleet of Pennsylvania, and Michael Klawitter of Platteville, WI; brother, David (Naomi) Childers of Sunrise Beach, MO; sister, Carol (Rick) Childers of Sunrise Beach, MO; brother-in-law, Rev. Dwight Henderson of Sunrise Beach, MO.,and sister-in-law, Linda Childers of St. Anne, IL.
Visitation will be held Friday, January 3, 2014 from 9:30 to 11:15 a.m. at the Jacobs Funeral Home of Iron River, MI. The West Side Veterans will accord Military Rites at 11:15 a.m. Funeral Services will follow at 11:30 a.m. at the Jacobs Funeral Home, with Rev. Bob Messerli to officiate; Darrell’s close friends, Rev. Gay Frisinger and Father Jim Fosdic to assist.
Pallbearers will be Dean Norfleet, Bruce Klawitter, Michael Klawitter, Chris Norfleet, Bill Priebe, and Ronald Neubauer
Interment will be at Lakeview Cemetery, Alvin, WI, in the spring.