Darrell Rich

Darrell Lee Rich, 70, of Danville, passed away at 1:08pm on Friday, December 4, 2009 at the Carle Foundation Hospital in Urbana. Darrell was born on October 30, 1939, in Flat Rock, IL, the son of Lyman and Artie (Blair) Rich. He graduated from Robinson Township High School in 1957 with honors, and later enlisted into the United States Navy, receiving an Honorable discharge in 1959. Darrell then received a degree in Electrical Technology from the Ivy Technical Institute and did course work at the Olivet Nazarene College, as well as, Danville Area Community College. He married Ms. Norma Jean Freed on August 17, 1991. She survives. Darrell also leaves behind one son, Drew Rich of Danville, one daughter, Corby Esarey of Lawrenceville, IL, and three step-children, Linda (Steve) Bloomfield of Perrysville, IN, Buddy (Dee) Freed of Danville, and Brenda (Terry) Hollingsworth of Chrisman. Three grandchildren, Dalton Rich, Jack Fouts, Ashley Neer, seven step-grandchildren, Steve Bloomfield Jr. Samantha Corray, Katie, Kayla, and Kade Hollingsworth, and Cole and Taylor Freed. Four great-grandchildren, Olivia Fouts, Briar Bloomfield, and Riley and Haley Corray. One half sister, Sharon Lawhead of Effingham, and one nephew, Clifford Rich of Louisville, KY. also survive Darrell. His parents, two brothers, Teddy and Jim, and one daughter, Tina Esarey, precede Darrell in death. Darrell was an Industrial Electrician who was able to travel all over the United States. In this area, he worked at the Fairhall Elevator, Allied Chemical, Lauhoff Grain, and the Clinton Nuclear Power Station. He also worked in other states always as a job, or electrical supervisor at places such as Off-Shore Control Systems in Humble, TX, AIME, and International in Pasadena, TX, (both off-shore oil rigs), DC Cook Nuclear Power Plant in Bridgeman, Michigan, Columbia Engineering in Juneau, Alaska, Lamb Engineering in Salt Lake City, Utah, Brown and Root in Mobile, Alabama, and England. Before retiring, Darrell worked at Freight Car Services in Danville where he was the past President of the UAW Local 1271. He also worked summers part-time at the boating dock and at Kennekuk Cove County Park in Danville. Darrell was a member of the Danville American Legion Post 210, and enjoyed many hobbies, such as, reading, watching NASCAR, baseball, football, old westerns, cooking, listening to country music, and mushroom hunting. Most of all, he loved spending time with his family and his many friends. A Celebration of Life Service for Darrell Rich will begin at 12:00pm (noon) on Wednesday, December 9, 2009 at Sunset Funeral Home and Cremation Center located at 3940 N. Vermilion St. in Danville with internment to be held at the Danville National Cemetery with military honors. Pastor James Blue will officiate. Visitation will be from 10:00am until time of service on Wednesday at the funeral home. E-mail condolences may be sent to the family at www.sunsetfuneralhome.com.