Darrel E. Killham
December 26, 1936 — September 15, 2014
Darrel E. Killham, 77, died at Mercy Medical Center in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, on Monday, September 15, 2014. The family will greet friends from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., Thursday, September 18, 2014, at Murdoch Funeral Home & Cremation Center, Marion, and one hour prior to service at the church on Friday. Funeral Service: 10:30 a.m. Friday, September 19, 2014, at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Marion. Burial: Oak Shade Cemetery, Marion.
Darrel is survived by his wife of 49 years, Esther; daughters, Marie (Tom) McCurry of Weiser, Idaho, Cheryl Killham of Marion, Iowa, and Sheila Williams of Marion, Iowa; granddaughters, Shami McCurry of Salem, Oregon, and Selena Williams of Marion, Iowa; great-grandson, Gavin of Salem, Oregon; sister, Sharon (Tom) Johnson of Marion, Iowa; as well as many nieces and nephews. Darrel was preceded in death by his parents.
Darrel was born on December 26, 1936, in Casper, Wyoming, to Charles Samuel and Bernice Marie (Harley) Killham. He graduated from Canon City High School in Canon City, Colorado, in 1955. He received his Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Colorado and his Master’s Degree in engineering from Iowa State University. Darrel was united in marriage to Esther Hinz on August 29, 1965, at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Marion.
Darrel worked at Collins Radio, Hydrospace, was Vice-President of Engineering at J-Tec, and Rockwell Collins. He retired in 1999. Darrel volunteered as a math tutor for the Kirkwood GED program and Linn-Mar High School students. In 2008, he was the Linn-Mar recipient of the Iowa Governor’s Volunteer Award. He was a deacon at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church. He enjoyed singing at Crestview Acres Nursing Home, Willow Gardens Care Center, and Winslow House Care Center. Darrel loved spending time with his family, taking his wife to Donutland, doing artwork, traveling, cooking and sitting outside on his patio. He loved his wife and family. He will be dearly missed.
Darrel is survived by his wife of 49 years, Esther; daughters, Marie (Tom) McCurry of Weiser, Idaho, Cheryl Killham of Marion, Iowa, and Sheila Williams of Marion, Iowa; granddaughters, Shami McCurry of Salem, Oregon, and Selena Williams of Marion, Iowa; great-grandson, Gavin of Salem, Oregon; sister, Sharon (Tom) Johnson of Marion, Iowa; as well as many nieces and nephews. Darrel was preceded in death by his parents.
Darrel was born on December 26, 1936, in Casper, Wyoming, to Charles Samuel and Bernice Marie (Harley) Killham. He graduated from Canon City High School in Canon City, Colorado, in 1955. He received his Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Colorado and his Master’s Degree in engineering from Iowa State University. Darrel was united in marriage to Esther Hinz on August 29, 1965, at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Marion.
Darrel worked at Collins Radio, Hydrospace, was Vice-President of Engineering at J-Tec, and Rockwell Collins. He retired in 1999. Darrel volunteered as a math tutor for the Kirkwood GED program and Linn-Mar High School students. In 2008, he was the Linn-Mar recipient of the Iowa Governor’s Volunteer Award. He was a deacon at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church. He enjoyed singing at Crestview Acres Nursing Home, Willow Gardens Care Center, and Winslow House Care Center. Darrel loved spending time with his family, taking his wife to Donutland, doing artwork, traveling, cooking and sitting outside on his patio. He loved his wife and family. He will be dearly missed.
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