Obituary of Walter Elim Darnall

Sedan - Walter Elim Darnall, age 88, passed away Wednesday, April 9, 2014 at the Sedan City Hospital in Sedan, Kansas. Walter was born on June 25, 1925 in Shidler, Oklahoma to Elim Darnall and Josephine Fox. He grew up in Osage County, Oklahoma before graduating from Peru High School in 1943. He was drafted in the United States Marine Corp, serving in the South Pacific where he had no leave for three years. After he was honorably discharged from the Marines, he went into business with his brother Charles Darnall and formed Darnall Brothers Well Service in 1946 until owning and operating Darnall Drilling Company in 1973. On June 24, 1949 he married Bernice Young and they lived in Chautauqua County their entire married life. She preceded him in death in May of 1985. He later married Viola (McCormick) Miller on December 20, 1998. She survives of the home. Walter was a member of the Chautauqua Baptist Church and was an ordained minister for several years which included churches that he filled in for pastoring at Bowring, Elgin and also in Chautauqua and other locations. He was a past deacon of the Chautauqua Baptist Church; He was a member of the VFW and American Legion in Sedan; he enjoyed trucks, bulldozers, and especially loved his Oil and Drilling Equipment. Survivors include his wife Viola Darnall of the home in Sedan; one daughter, Pam Cooper and husband Gene of Cedar Vale, Kansas; one son, Rob Darnall of Sedan, Kansas; two sisters, Ruby Alford of Topeka, Kansas and Nedra Holroyd and husband Fred of Topeka, Kansas; five grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. Walt was preceded in death by his first wife, three brothers, two sisters, his parents, and one nephew. Church Services will be held Monday April 14, 2014 at 2:00 p.m. at the Chautauqua Baptist Church in Chautauqua with Brother Kevin Fogerty officiating. Burial will follow at the El Cado Cemetery in rural Peru, Kansas. Family and Friends may call on Sunday, April 13, 2014 at the David W. Barnes Funeral Home in Sedan from 12:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. The family has suggested memorials to the Chautauqua Baptist Church or the Sedan City Hospital They can also be left in care of the David W. Barnes Funeral Home, 209 N. Douglas, Sedan, Kansas 67361.