Harold Darr Obituary

Harold E. "Gene" Darr

Harold Eugene "Gene" Darr passed into eternal glory Wednesday, March 6, 2024.

He was born April 21, 1931, in Clyde, to Robert W. and Cora M. (Hopfinger) Darr.

He was a lifelong resident of Clyde (until the last two months) and member of St. Mary Church.

He grew up working on the family farm. In 1949, he graduated from Clyde High School.

Gene had a milk route in the area for years, loading, transporting, and unloading heavy milk cans in his truck.

Gene entered U.S. Marine Corps on Nov. 28, 1951, and served until 1953.

On Labor Day Weekend, 1956, Gene met the love of his life, Irene Frey, at Forest Lake Dance Hall. There were married Feb. 23, 1957, in Kirby.

Together, they raised their six children. In 1960, they started their business, Darr's Cleaning. Together, they built the business with integrity and hard work. They are proud of the fact that the business continued with their sons and now grandsons.

Gene was active in his community and church. He served on various fundraising committees, including for Clyde St. Mary School, as well as Fremont St. Joseph School. For a long time, Gene was a volunteer at BINGO at St. Mary Catholic Church.

He served on parish and finance councils and was a Eucharistic Minister. He was a member of Knights of Columbus, Green Springs American Legion, and Four County Young at Heart, serving in various offices.

Gene's survivors include his wife, Irene; children, Bernard (Diane) Darr, Elaine Schultz, Ronald Darr, Rose (James) Britner, and Roger (Marianne) Darr; 24 grandchildren; over 40 great-grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews; and sister-in-law, Ruth Konst.

He was preceded in death by his parents; son and daughter-in-law, Randall and Sandra Darr; son-in-law, Dee Schultz; sister, Elizabeth Jane (in infancy); brother and sister-in-law, Gerald and Grace Darr; and sisters and brothers-in-law, Agnes and Joseph Ejhinger, Mary Ellen and Robert Meyers, Frey in-laws, Linus and Madelyn Frey, Rita Sullivan, Loretta Quail, Robert and Mary Lou Frey, and Ronald Konst.

Visitation will be 2-6 p.m. Sunday, March 10, 2024, with rosary at 5:30 p.m. at Mitchell-Auxter Funeral Home, 218 South Main St., Clyde. There will be a time for memory sharing following the Rosary. Funeral Mass will be 10:30 a.m. Monday, March 11, 2024, at St. Mary Catholic Church, Clyde. Burial will be at the Parish Cemetery with military rites provided by Clyde VFW and American Legion.

Memorials may be made to St. Mary Catholic Church.