Don Eugene Darding, 85 of Greenville passed away Wednesday, March 16, 2016 at the State of Heart Center in Greenville with family at his side. Don was born on June 25, 1930 in Xenia, Ohio to the late Clarence Lester and Ruth Catherine (Koogler) Darding. The Darding family moved to Darke County in 1948 to their homestead near Bradford, Ohio where they engaged in farming. Don graduated in 1948 from Gettysburg High School where he later served on the school board being involved with the consolidation with Greenville City Schools. On July 12, 1952, he married his wife of 63 years Marjorie Joyce "Dargie" (House) who survives. Together they farmed, raised livestock and sold seed until their retirement. Don is a member of the Oakland Church of the Brethren where he served on several committees and church board as well as a past deacon and enjoyed playing church softball in his earlier years and dartball in his later years. Don enjoyed watching almost every sport especially baseball, basketball and football. Don played shuffleboard with the Darke County shuffleboard team until July, 2015 when he had a stroke and enjoyed playing golf. Don also had served on several other boards such as Darke County Farm Bureau and was employed over the years at Poultry Producers in Versailles, Ohio, Martin's Hatchery in Gettysburg, Ohio and school bus driver for Ansonia and Gettysburg Schools. Don and Marjorie enjoyed traveling and especially liked to visit Holmes County where they met several nice families over the years. Don and Marjorie also enjoyed camping with family and friends, taking a daily golf cart ride on the farm and eating at MCL Cafeteria and the Front Street Inn. Don and Marjorie also wintered in Sebring, Florida for many years where they acquired many close friends.
Don is preceded in death by two sisters, Genevieve Darding and Josephine Darding Miller. Also by brother in laws, Dr. Lee Miller, Morris Stewart, William House, Ned Rhoades, and Robert Christian. Don is survived by sister in law Carole Miller of Tennessee, sister Ida Mae (Stewart) and Dan Meeks of Greenville, Naoma House of Greenville and Sue (Rhoades) Christian of Versailles. Don is also survived by two daughters and son in law, Diane (Darding) Huffman of Greenville, and Peggy (Darding) and Stirling "Bo" Overholser of Bradford; three grandchildren Mindy (Huffman) and Jason Stebbins of Greenville, Lydia (Overholser) and Jeremy Brenner of Greenville, and Aaron and Lindsey (Wolf) Overholser of Bradford; five greatgrandchildren Gabriella and Caleigh Stebbins, Landon and Lena Brenner, and Brody Overholser.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 2:00 P.M. Saturday March 26, 2016 at the Oakland Church of the Brethren 8058 Horatio-Harris Creek Road Bradford, Ohio with Pastors John Sgro and Dr. Fred Bernhard co-officiating. There will be a Gathering of Family and Friends immediately after the service. Private burial was held in the Oakland Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, Memorial Contributions may be given to State of the Heart Hospice or the Oakland Church of the Brethren.
Arrangements by Zechar Bailey Funeral Home Greenville, Ohio.
Condolences for the family may be sent to
www.zecharbailey.com.
