Curtis Robert Darling

Curtis Robert Darling, 90, passed away suddenly on September 21, 2024. It was very peaceful. He was comfortable in his chair and then was in the presence of his Lord and Savior.

Curtis was born August 24, 1934 in Shawano, Wisconsin. Being raised in Wisconsin caused a sincere life-long love of cheese, which he then passed down to his children. He grew up in a large farming family and attended a one-room schoolhouse. He met his bride, Barbara (Eaton) Darling, in England while serving in the Air Force and brought her back to the States in 1959. They were married for 65 years. She survives. Also surviving are his sister, Karen Amsdill; his son, Stephen Darling; his daughters, Michelle (Dan) Saalfeld and Heather (Jay) Adamcik; grandchildren Kelsey Parker (Troy Stanger), Heidi Parker, Noah Adamcik, Samantha Darling and Benjamin Darling; many nieces and nephews, his good friend Duane, who he talked with daily; and his longest friend, Ken, who he met in the Air Force. He was preceded in death by his parents Lloyd and Amalia (Eul) Darling, his son, David Darling, and seven siblings. He leaves behind family and friends too numerous to count and is now rejoicing with many who went ahead.

He was a great man who cared for every person he met. He spent much of his life working at Grace & Truth, Inc. while also visiting prisons, jails, nursing homes, hospitals, and shut-ins. He did not know a stranger and talked to people on the street, in line at the store, or whoever he was sitting next to in a waiting room. His was a life of service, including being a volunteer firefighter, eventually serving as chief of Kickapoo Fire Department for many years. More recently, he was Visitation Pastor at Calvary Baptist Church in Tilton, IL and loved his church family. If you were ever approached by a tall man with white hair (and possibly a walker in later years) who handed you a gospel tract, it was probably him. He was still sharp as a tack to his last day, and remembered small details about every person he had talked to throughout his life.

He often told jokes at mealtimes and had a delightfully corny sense of humor. His children think he might have been the inspiration for the phrase "dad joke." He enjoyed telling jokes with a straight face, trying his hardest not to smile until he could hold it no longer and a smirk broke free. He loved the Cubs, so that sense of humor came in handy.

He endured so much pain these last years without complaint. He was an amazing man and his family will miss him dearly, but we can't be sorry because he's gone to his Heavenly reward and is no longer in pain. He would tell us not to mourn, because he's finally home.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 2:00 PM on Tuesday, October 1, 2024 at Calvary Baptist Church, 1632 Georgetown Road, Tilton, IL 61833. Pastor Dan Kitinoja officiate. Visitation will be held on Tuesday, October 1, 2024 from Noon until 2:00 PM at the church. Committal Rites will be held on Wednesday, October 2, 2024 at 11:00 AM at Danville National Cemetery with Military Rites accorded by American Legion Post 210 Honor Guard.

All donations in his memory should go to Grace & Truth Inc., 210 Chestnut St., Danville, IL 61832 or prisonfellowship.org.

He would also want his memory to inspire and encourage others to carry on his work.

Sunset Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Danville, Illinois, 3940 N Vermilion St. Danville, IL 61834 is assisting the family with arrangements.

Please join Curtis’ family in sharing memories, photos and videos on his Tribute Wall at www.sunsetfuneralhome.com .