Phyllis Darnell

On 9/11/1932 Phyllis Dieterman was born to Frank and Lucy Dieterman in Kalamazoo. As an only child she was cherished by both and the love that they shared was incredible. In 1941 when she was 8 her Papa bought a weekend cottage at Gun Lake where she loved to swim, paddle with her friends and cousins in her canoe and go fishing.

On Nov 29, 1950 she married Benjamin Darnell whom she had met on a blind date several years before at the First Methodist Church in Kalamazoo. They welcomed their first child two years later and then completed their family with two more children whom she adored and loved with all of her heart. In 1972 when her children didn't need her as much Phyllis decided to work in the Cafeteria at Hillside Junior High School as a baker and remained there for 19 years. All of the teachers and students said that she made the best cookies and cinnamon rolls they had ever had.

In 1982 they sold their house in Kalamazoo where they had resided since 1954, remodeled the cottage at Gun Lake and had called that home ever since. When they both retired Ben and Phyllis decided to become "snow birds" and purchased a second home in Tarpon Springs, Fl. She enjoyed all of the friends that she met there and all of the great memories they made. She loved to play Bocce Ball (at which she was very competitive), enjoyed clogging and being able to walk miles everyday, speaking with everyone she passed. She loved those times but always missed her home and family and was happy to return every spring to Gun Lake.

Phyllis is survived by her husband Ben of 73 years, her children, Sherilyn Newcomer, Kathleen Darnell and David (Treva) Darnell and her grandchildren Lisa and Ashley Darnell and Brittany Newcomer

We would like to thank her for being the most caring, strong, beautiful human being and the best Mom we could ever have. She loved us with all of her heart. It will be so hard for us to go on without her but we were so lucky to have had her in our lives for so long and will remember her for the rest of ours.

Per her wishes she has been cremated. A memorial for the family will be held at a later date.

Love you Mom! Rest in Peace!

While at www.amsfuneralhomes.com please take time to sign Phyllis' guestbook and/or share a memory with her family.

The Darnell family is being cared for by the Avink, McCowen & Secord Funeral Homes and Cremation Society, 129 South Grand Street, Schoolcraft, MI 49087. 269-679-5622.