Darlene J. Albertson (Sloan) Cook

      “Anything is possible.” That is what Darlene J. Cook believed about life. She was a creative woman, a perpetual inventor, who seemed to be able to find a solution for any difficulty confronting her. She had faith in her ability to find those solutions. Darlene thoroughly enjoyed understanding how things worked. She possessed an inquisitive, confident, and rational nature matched with a versatile and agile mind. Darlene was a person who believed that she could achieve whatever she set out to do.

      Darlene was born on September 14, 1939 at Wilmington,Ohio in we think Wilmington, Ohio. Her parents were Clifford Albertson, Sr. and Virginia Hoff Albertson. Darlene was raised in Lebanon, wilmington. Ohio. She showed her ingenuity even as a child. When she was confronted with a problem, Darlene could develop an imaginative solution, and she derived satisfaction from knowing she had that ability.

      This same talent for finding solutions had a positive bearing on Darlene's family relationships. Darlene was raised with nine. Clifford jr, Betty, William(Bill), Kenneth(Frog), Wayne(Sky), Sherry, Sylvia (Sue),Janet, Marsha. When a difficult situation or dilemma arose within the family, Darlene was always there to help figure out a solution for making things work.

      As a young girl, Darlene could be found building and inventing new and different things. She was curious, resourceful and interested in anything original. She was a very active in cub scouts, with her son. Worked in the brownies, with her girls in the years before she went to work, Was part of Pyrex Pleasure Planners,and active in her church painter creek church of the brethren. ,. In her spare time she loved to sew, craft. Decorate her home. And work in her flowers. Darlene's memorable achievements included having her children, she was only 16 when she got married to Earl Marion Sloan.

      Endowed with an appetite for knowing how her world worked, Darlene enjoyed school, especially when the learning experience involved dissecting and probing the unknown. Darlene was adept at scrutinizing different possibilities and designing innovative solutions. She graduated from Lebanon High school in 1957. She enjoyed some courses more than others, having favorite classes and teachers. Her favorite class in high school was English. The teacher she enjoyed learning from the most was Elizabeth Clark, her last daughter is named for her.

      Darlene was socially resourceful, an expressive person who was willing to try new things. These qualities drew a lively circle of friends around her. Always interested in her friends’ activities and interests, Darlene was uncritical of her acquaintances. She was sought after by people who recognized that she was generous with her time and energy, and these same friends found Darlene to be very stimulating company. Darlene's humor and curiosity were contagious for those around her. While growing up, some of her best friends were Norma Hazs, Connie Albertson, Her sister Betty,. Later in life, she became friends with Betty Butts, Renea, Hoblit, Jazz, Joann Statler, really too many to mention.

      On July 4, 1975 Darlene exchanged wedding vows with William Henry Cook Sr. at Paintercreek church of Arcanum, Ohio. Darlene was adept at devising original and creative ways to enhance and improve the marriage partnership. Darlene was seldom a critical person, but rather the one who was able to bring out the best in others. Darlene was an entertaining conversationalist who was quick to respond to her spouse’s needs. She was a vibrant personality and she enjoyed verbally sparring with Bill. In fact, those who knew her often remarked that Darlene loved to argue for argument’s sake. She was very perceptive in recognizing others’ feelings, especially regarding Bill's.

      Darlene's remarkable talent for being inventive influenced her relationship with her children. She would create original, clever and fun games for her kids and had a knack for finding ways to make everyday events, even chores, enjoyable to them. Darlene was blessed with six children, Earl Marion Sloan Jr, Carrol Virginia Sloan willis, Julee Darlene Sloan Bourne, Lucinda Kay sloan, Linda Rae Sloan, Elizabeth Ann Sloan. They were also blessed with 9, Cherokee, Darlene, Douglas(deaceased),Tabor, Amanda, Zachary, Jillian, Jordan, Henry. Someone who was quick to laugh, Darlene found it easy to spend lots of time with her children, but she was never overbearing or guilty of pushing herself on them.

      As a born inventor, Darlene was definitely in her element in her work place. She could easily create new and innovative systems, and incorporate those changes to bring a fresh approach to any work situation. Darlene was a focused worker with a strong drive for achievement. She could assess all of the options before her and, using her analytical skills, could comfortably find answers that no one else had even considered. Her personal initiative inspired those around her. Darlene was always good at getting a project started and then, at the appropriate time, handing it on to a colleague. Wife, Mother, Store room clerk. She was employed for Corning. Glass works. Darlene always made an effort to be a team player, doing what needed was necessary in order to get the job done.

      Darlene's passion for finding a better way to do things was often an end in itself for her. In fact, that interest by itself became something of a hobby for this perpetual problem solver. Since Darlene was always searching for new and unusual activities, she developed many interests and leisure pursuits. Some of the things she became an “expert” in might come as a surprise to those who knew her, but most friends and family understood that Darlene simply couldn’t be limited to just a few activities or ideas. She loved to garden, If you could not find her she would be outside working in her gardens winter included. If it was christmas she would be busy decorating. A tree in every room. Her outside could be seen for miles, with hand made ornaments and wood carved displays. Always a treat to drive by.

      Darlene was continually concerned with the status of local, national and even world affairs. Her keen interest and strong values led her to become active in her community. She was a work place moma, Wherever she was employed, be it corning, CJBanks, rural king, she was the care giver to all. Always the first to honor a birth to birthday.

      Faith and religion were important to Darlene. She was a member of Painter Creek church of the brethren. During that time, she was helpful in so many ways. From funeral dinners, to Mother day celebration,fathers day, hanging of the greens. Reading scriptures. No was not a big part of her vocabulary.

      With all of her talents, her ingenuity, her solutions and inventiveness, it is no surprise that Darlene received public recognition for her competence. With the drive and ability to meet any challenge, Darlene accumulated a long list of achievements throughout her life. Some of her most prestigious awards included, So many ribbons and awards for her gardening, canning, pies, vegetables. Her gardens were always amazing. She could revive any plant or tree. She would load up and take to the fair and enter what she could. It may have been a quilt or some old thing she found. She would get so much joy out of all the ribbons she would get. Just wanted enough to pay for her fair ticket. Lol.

      Having the opportunity to visit and explore a new place always intrigued Darlene. Traveling and going away on vacations offered yet another opportunity for Darlene to expand her ever-growing inventory of knowledge. Favorite vacations included She loved going to Daytona Beach, Sometimes in the early years she would go with her daughters. Later she went with her sister. Just laying out and getting some rays. To going to the fle market to come back and make BLTs. Her husband Bill and her took several cruises, this was always an amazing journey for her.

      Darlene was a lover of animals and cherished her pets. One of Darlene's favorites was Her dog, Benji, Petie,Sparky, they were all her favorites. They were best friends for Benji was 10 when he was killed by another dog, She went out and dug his grave by having her headlights on and in the rain, Trying to mix the rain with her tears, It was quite a devastation for her. She didn't realize how much she loved him till his death. Petie a terrier died from old age, Where she was you could fine pete, I am not sure of his age. And sparky a maltase was 11 he died from being ill health. She loved these dog, they were almost human, Her last companion I am sure still misses her. Max a maltase, They were best buds.

      Even while in retirement, Darlene never stopped exercising her inventive talents, and this new phase of her life provided new opportunities for stimulating her interests. In 1996, her new life involved relocating to staying right where she was. She wanted to be close to her family. They were her life. In retirement, she found new pleasure in working for different places like rural King, and christopher Banks. She worked at CJ Banks for her clothes habit. She dress so fine. She was a major clothes horse. Always looked amazing. If you said you like something like" liver and onions," the next day there would be a plate of liver and onions just for you. Could have been anything from a german chocolate cake to homemade noodles, pumpkin pie, she was an amazing cook. And love to cook for everyone. Even in retirement, Darlene continued to stay in touch with her old friends and while making plenty of new acquaintances. She was active in the community and felt fulfilled.

       She died in a car accident on arcanum bear mills road, She traveled on the wrong side for a space of time, hit another car head on. There were five passengers in the other car. The passenger and the drive both succumb to there injuries with in five days of the accident. She died on the spot. Services were held at Zechar Bailey in Greenville, Ohio.

      During her lifetime, nothing appeared impossible to Darlene. She met the words “it can’t be done” with the enthusiastic challenge of a “wanna bet” attitude. Darlene was able to recognize the possibilities a new idea held, even when those around her could not. For Darlene, the traditional way of doing things fell short of her expectations, especially if there were original and untested methods for handling a challenge. For Darlene J. Cook, the fun of living her life could be found in the challenge.

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Darlene J. Cook, age 76 of Pitsburg, Ohio passed away Saturday October 3, 2015 in Darke County as a result of a car accident. Darlene was born September 14, 1939 in Warren County Ohio and the daughter of the late Clifford and Virginia (Hoff) Albertson Sr.

She was retired from Corning Inc. after 23 years of employment, a 1957 graduate of Lebanon High School and a member of the Painter Creek Church of the Brethren. Darlene was currently employed at Rural King of Greenville.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband William H. Cook Jr. January 22, 1996 and brothers Clifford Albertson Jr., William Albertson, Kenneth Albertson and Wayne Albertson

Darlene is survived by her children Earl Sloan Jr. of Arcanum, Carrol Willis of Tennessee, Julee Bourne of Arcanum, Cindy Sloan of Corpus Christi, Texas, Linda Sloan of Springboro and Elizabeth Sloan of Greenville; step son Kris Cook of New Paris; sisters Betty (Cleo) Caudill and Sherry (George) Turley all of Huber Heights, Janet (Chuck) Jones and Sue Phillips all of Middletown and Marsha Lyle of Dayton; 9 grandchildren, 9 great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.

Funeral Services will be held 10:00 A.M. Friday October 9, 2015 in the Zechar Bailey Funeral Home Greenville, Ohio with Pastor Dave Cummings officiating. Burial will follow in the Greenville Township Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends from 5:00 P.M. until 8:00 P.M. on Thursday and from 9:30 A.M. until time of services on Friday in the funeral home.