Orville “Sonny” J. Darr, Jr.,
Bethalto | Save
Orville “Sonny” J. Darr, Jr., 83, passed away at 12:32 pm on Sunday, June 9, 2013 at Alhambra Care Center.
He was born on January 28, 1930 in Alton, IL, the son of Orville and Margaret (Elfgen) Darr.
He married Ann Connoyer on June 18, 1955 at St. Matthews Church in Alton. She preceded him in death on September 5, 2007.
Orville served his country in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. He worked at Olin Corporation for eighteen years and then worked in maintenance at SIU in Edwardsville. He was a member of Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Church in Bethalto, the Bethalto Knights of Columbus Post #4688 and the Cottage Hills VFW Post #7678. He was a great inspiration to all the people he was in contact with. He enjoyed playing washers and was an avid St. Louis Cardinals fan and St. Louis Rams fan. Most of all he loved spending time with his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.
He is survived by two daughters and sons-in-law, Rebecca & Kirk Brandenberger of Keokuk, Iowa and Janice and John Miller of Bethalto; three sons and daughters-in-law, Jeff & Tamara Darr of Bethalto, Orville III and Sue Darr of Henderson, KY and David & Deborah Darr of Bethalto; eight grandchildren and their spouses, Angela Mullenix, Scott and Dee Brandenberger, Travis and Ashley Brandenberger, Amy & Jared Shields, Justin and Tatum Darr, Jessica & Chad Pierson, Melissa Darr, and Kelsey and Kyle Schmidt; many great grandchildren; a brother, Bert and Tony Darr of Godfrey; a brother-in-law, Allen and Sandy Connoyer of Godfrey; two sisters-in-law, Irene Connoyer and Marian Connoyer both of Bethalto and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, Ann Darr, two brothers, Virgil and Bob Darr and a sister, Mary Margaret Medford.
Visitation will be from 4 to 8 pm on Wednesday, June 12, 2013 at Elias, Kallal and Schaaf Funeral Home in Bethalto. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 am on Thursday June 13, 2013 at Rose Lawn Memory Gardens with Pastor Sterling Schoen officiating.
Burial will follow at Rose Lawn Memory Gardens Cemetery in Bethalto with military rites given by the Bethalto American Legion Post #214.
Memorials may be made to the Alhambra Care Center Activities Department.
An online condolence and guest book may be found at www.eliaskallalandshcaaf.com.
Elias, Kallal & Schaaf Funeral Home
