Michael E. Darnell, 55, of Monmouth, IL passed away at 3:55 pm Saturday, November 7, 2020 at OSF Heart of Mary Medical Center, Urbana, IL.
Michael was born September 23, 1965 in Monmouth, IL the son of Donnie Darnell and Carol Gillette. He was raised and educated in Kirkwood, IL, attending Yorkwood High School.
Michael served with the United States Army for 15 years stationed in Korea, Germany, Louisiana and Texas as a radio/computer technician.
Michael married Lisa K. Neff in Warren County, IL. He later married Sharla J. Prejean on October 23, 1998 in Monmouth, IL and she survives.
He currently was employed at the Henry Hill Correctional Center in Galesburg for 20 years as a Corrections Officer where he was honored as Employee of the Year several times. He was to be honored as the 2021 Employee of the Year at the time of his passing.
Michael was a member of the Westminster Presbyterian Church in Kirkwood. IL. He was also a member of the Monmouth Masonic Lodge #37 A.F. & A.M., and the AFL-CIO.
He enjoyed fishing, panning and prospecting, home remodeling, camping, gardening, collecting coins and any outdoor activity.
Survivors include his wife, Sharla Darnell of Monmouth, IL; his children, Crystal (Dean Churn) Prejean of Monmouth, IL, Valerie (Cody) Judd of Burlington, IA, Bethany Crain of Monmouth, IL, Matthew (Mindy) Eastman of Warsaw, WI, Kellie Kline of Warsaw, WI, Megan Eastman of Warsaw, WI, Mariah (Kaitlyn Riedel) Ehler of Monmouth, IL; 26 grandchildren; 1 great granddaughter; his father, Donnie (Sharon) Darnell of Kirkwood, IL and his mother, Carol Gillette of Des Moines, IA; 3 brothers, Lonie Darnell of Gerlaw, IL, Gerald (Carman) Williams of Seaton, IL and John (Sandra) Holter of Des Moines, IA; 3 sisters, Leslie (Tony) Worley of Monmouth, IL, Shanda (Robert) Brownlee of Little York, IL and Misty Darnell of Des Moines, IA; several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his grandparents, George & Eva Darnell and Raymond & Frances Gillette and his best friend and cousin, Mark Buster along with several uncles.Celebration of Life services will be from 10:00-12:00 Noon on Saturday, November 14, 2020 at McGuire & Davies Funeral Home and Crematory, Monmouth, IL. Military Honors will take place at 12:00 Noon on Saturday at the funeral home. Cremation has been accorded with interment to take place at a later date. Memorials may be given to the Michael E. Darnell Memorial Fund. For more information, please visit, www.mcguireanddaviesfuneralhome.com
