DONALD R DARLING

Donald R. Darling, 87, of Rexford, MT passed away peacefully at the Montana Veteran’s Home in Columbia Falls, MT on Monday, October 2, 2017. 

He was born June 24, 1930 in Garrison, ND to Neville and Martha (Christman) Darling.  He grew up in Columbia Falls and the West Kootenai.  Don joined the US Navy in 1951 during the Korean War and served aboard a destroyer and submarine.  He received an Honorable Discharge in 1955 and then joined the US Air Force.  He served his second enlistment while stationed in Great Falls, MT.

Don married Nellie Triplett Truman on December 23rd, 1961.  He and Nellie raised her two youngest daughters, Sharkie and Cheri in Rexford, where they lived the remainder of their marriage.  Don was a logger; worked for the USFS; spent time on the Alaska Pipeline; and retired from Owens & Hurst Lumber Company.  He enjoyed walking 5 miles every day; hunting; fishing; picking huckleberries; and was known for his green thumb and garden.  Dad loved visiting with family members, neighbors and many friends.  Anyone who met him (especially his grandchildren) loved hearing about his adventures and misadventures.

He was preceded in death by his greatest love, his wife, Nellie; his parents; brother, Doug; stepdaughter, Shirley Kaufman; and 7 grandchildren.

He is survived by his brother, Allen Darling of Columbia Falls; sisters Sharron Branscome and Cecil White (Dale) of Eureka; his daughters, Barbara Cook, Cheri Butts (David), Charlotte ‘Sharkie’ Kraus (Tom); his grandchildren Davey Butts; Andy, Rocky, Sue, Teresa and Barb Torres; Travis and Josh Truman; Bobby and Bonita Cook; Derick Pitman; Brandy Hinzman and Amanda Sandon; and many great and great great grandchildren, as well as many nieces and nephews not listed.

His family would like to extend their heartfelt thanks to the Montana Veterans Home for the wonderful comfort and care they extended Don.

Funeral Services will be 2:00 p.m., Saturday, October 7, 2017 at the First Baptist Church in Eureka, MT.  Arrangements are under the care of Schnackenberg & Nelson Funeral Home of Eureka, MT.  Online condolences and memories may be shared by visiting www.schnackenbergfh.com.