Obit: Darling, Earl "Smokey" (1917 - 2007)

Contact:  Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
Email: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Darling, King, Fradette, Ormond, Gallaher, Alsterberg, Walz

----Sources: Clark County Press (Neillsville, WI.) March 7, 2007
 

Darling, Earl "Smokey" (January 9, 1917 - March 2, 2007) (I also have sent a photo to include, to Janet to do)

Earl (Smokey) Darling, age 90, went to his final rest on March 2, 2007, at The House of The Dove Hospice in Marshfield.

He was born Jan. 9, 1917, to Ellen Ann King and Fred Merrill Darling.

As a young man, he started young at 16, and had many jobs. He worked with the crew that paved Highway 73 for the first time. He was part of the crews that built many drainage ditches and dams west of Neillsville, Wis. He hauled brick and built the Post Office.

On May 1st, 1934, at age 17, he joined the National Guard. He was part of the 128 Infantry Service Company that later made up their part of the 32nd, "Red Arrow" Division.

He was on the War Bond Tour in Louisiana when he married Lorraine B. Fradette on Feb. 21, 1942, in Natchez, Miss.

He left to join WWII shortly thereafter. He left from San Francisco to Australia and then on to New Guinea. He served in the Pacific Theater of the war.

He left active duty as a Master Sergeant on Aug. 4th, 1945, and the National Guard on June 21, 1950.

After service he had a mil route for a time and then worked for the Clark County Highway Department until his retirement in 1981.

After retirement he enjoyed planting flower gardens at his home on 5th Street. He enjoyed feeding the birds and squirrels. He also enjoyed his family, and helping them when he could.

He is survived by six children: Susan (Ted) Ormond, Betty Darling, Margaret (Bitt Gallaher) Alsterberg, Lynn (Joe) King, James (Kay) Darling, Missy (Dale) Walz; 17 grandchildren, 31 great-grandchildren, and two great-great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 63 years, both of his parents, and both of his brothers.

There will be a memorial Service at a later date.

The family would like any memorials sent to The House of The Dove, 613 Western Street, Marshfield, WI 54449, in his memory.