Obituary for Jay McKinley Darnell
DARNELL, JAY McKINLEY, age 90, of Mt. Pleasant, passed away Saturday, February 27, 2021 at his home surrounded by his family.
A public Visitation will take place on Tuesday, March 2, from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. at Clark Family Funeral Chapel. A Private Funeral Service will follow for Jay. Friends are invited to attend the services via a live broadcast on Tuesday, March 2, 2021 at 1 p.m. by clicking the "Watch Webcast" icon below or visiting www.facebook.com/clarkfuneralchapel. Following the Service, friends are invited to a gathering and light luncheon at the home of Jay and Leola on Tuesday afternoon beginning at 4 p.m.
A public Graveside Service with military honors will be held on Wednesday, March 3, 2021 at 2 p.m. at Forest Hill Cemetery in Sherman Township, Isabella County. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Envelopes will be available at the funeral chapel.
Jay was born July 6, 1930, in Weidman, the son of Ray and Adilene (Denslow) Darnell. He graduated from Weidman High School with the Class of 1948 and then served his country in the U.S. Army. Jay married Leola Moore on April 24, 1954, in Barryton. He retired from Dow Chemical in 1985 after several years of service. He was a member of Floyd Church of God. Jay loved to spend time with his family. He enjoyed many hobbies, including hunting, fishing, wood carving, camping, traveling, and gardening.
Jay is survived by his wife of 66 years, Leola Darnell; his children Jeff (Diana) Darnell of Breckenridge, MI, Kaye (Frank) Spidel of Tuscaloosa, AL, Shelly (Jamie) Vokes of Orlando, FL; son-in-law Gary Briggs of Tulsa, OK; 9 grandchildren Jason, Brian, Jon, Brad, Nicole, Sarah, Anita, Vanessa, Emily; 24 great-grandchildren; and sister Berdella (Duane) Root of Reed City, MI.
Jay was preceded in death by his parents; daughter Debbie Briggs; and his 3 brothers and 3 sisters.
A public Visitation will take place on Tuesday, March 2, from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. at Clark Family Funeral Chapel. A Private Funeral Service will follow for Jay. Friends are invited to attend the services via a live broadcast on Tuesday, March 2, 2021 at 1 p.m. by clicking the "Watch Webcast" icon below or visiting www.facebook.com/clarkfuneralchapel. Following the Service, friends are invited to a gathering and light luncheon at the home of Jay and Leola on Tuesday afternoon beginning at 4 p.m.
A public Graveside Service with military honors will be held on Wednesday, March 3, 2021 at 2 p.m. at Forest Hill Cemetery in Sherman Township, Isabella County. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Envelopes will be available at the funeral chapel.
Jay was born July 6, 1930, in Weidman, the son of Ray and Adilene (Denslow) Darnell. He graduated from Weidman High School with the Class of 1948 and then served his country in the U.S. Army. Jay married Leola Moore on April 24, 1954, in Barryton. He retired from Dow Chemical in 1985 after several years of service. He was a member of Floyd Church of God. Jay loved to spend time with his family. He enjoyed many hobbies, including hunting, fishing, wood carving, camping, traveling, and gardening.
Jay is survived by his wife of 66 years, Leola Darnell; his children Jeff (Diana) Darnell of Breckenridge, MI, Kaye (Frank) Spidel of Tuscaloosa, AL, Shelly (Jamie) Vokes of Orlando, FL; son-in-law Gary Briggs of Tulsa, OK; 9 grandchildren Jason, Brian, Jon, Brad, Nicole, Sarah, Anita, Vanessa, Emily; 24 great-grandchildren; and sister Berdella (Duane) Root of Reed City, MI.
Jay was preceded in death by his parents; daughter Debbie Briggs; and his 3 brothers and 3 sisters.