Darell McMartin

Darell Duncan McMartin, 60, of Grundy Center Iowa, passed away on Thursday, April 8, 2010 at the University of Iowa Hospital in Iowa City, Iowa. A memorial service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, April 12, 2010 at the United Methodist Church in Grundy Center; with Pastor Matthew Miller and Reverend Brent deSilva co-officiating. Burial will be private at Oakland Cemetery, Beaman, Iowa. Memorial visitation will be held on Sunday, April 11, 2010 from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at Engelkes-Abels Funeral Home, Grundy Center.

Darell was born on August 1, 1949 in Eldora, Iowa to his parents Duncan and Dorothy McMartin. Darell was a life long resident of rural Grundy Center. He graduated from Grundy Center High School, Class of 1967. Darell was united in marriage to his wife Kathryn on October 12, 1968 at the 2nd Christian Reformed Church in Wellsburg, Iowa. Less than a year later, he was called into active duty with the US Army. He served his country in Vietnam as part of the 5th Mechanized Army Infantry Division. After his discharge from the service he rejoined his wife Kathy in Iowa and began their family, welcoming their son Jason Duncan and their daughter Apryl Mae.

Darell was a proud member of the Grundy Center Am Vets, the Eldora American Legion and the VFW. Darell loved to fish, especially deep sea fishing and he loved to bird and wildlife watch;. He loved auto racing including NHRA and NASCAR racing, and was a voracious reader. He could finish a book in one day. He and Kathy happily spent the last 16 years wintering in Rockport, Texas. His family also remembers him as a great story teller and a devoted father and grandfather. He will be missed and long remembered by his friends and family.

Darell is survived by his wife, Kathryn; father, Duncan; son, Jason Duncan (Sara); daughter, Apryl Mae (Nathan) DeLange; brother, DeeGene (Linda) McMartin; sister, Dixie (Lennie) Phillips; father-in-law, Henry Vanderzyden; his grandchildren Katie, Josie, Payton, Mason, Jacob and Anna and many nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his mother, Dorothy; mother-in-law, Verda and his grandparents.