Darlene Lavonne Piper

Darlene was born on December 14, 1932 to Walter and Jessie Onken in Greenfield, Iowa. After Darlene graduated from Greenfield High School, she went on to study Education at Creston Community College. She then spent several years teaching different grade levels, beginning in a one room schoolhouse. She was later co-owner of Hal-Dar Vacation Trailers for 32 years.

On September 26, 1953, Darlene married her high school sweetheart and the love of her life Harold Piper. They had 4 children, Diane, Dixie, Darry, and Dan.

Darlene was a member of Morning Star Church for many years where she loved teaching Sunday School and Vacation Bible School. She enjoyed countryside drives and traveling with Harold, spending her winters in Florida, camping and taking the grandkids on trips. She was also a very talented painter. She spread smiles and cheer by making and sharing handmade jewelry, cards, and baked goods. She was always outside planting beautiful flowers, feeding and watching the birds, and watching the butterflies go through their life cycles. She was a member of the Deer Creek Do-Ettes Homemakers Club and had made a lot of friends there. She enjoyed visits from her daughters, dates with her sons, and spending time with her grand and great grandchildren.

Darlene was preceded in death by her parents; Walter and Jessie Onken, and her husband Harold Piper. She is survived by her siblings; Gene (Barb) Onken and Becky Theis, children; Diane (Joe Turcotte) Sebastian, Dixie (Will) Minson, Darry (Cathy) Piper, Dan (Jo Ann) Piper, grandchildren; A.J. (Nichole) Piper, Beth (Noah) Mechling, Trelanie (Dan) Weirauch and Toria (John) Adams, and great grandchildren; Arianna Spencer, McKenna Adams, Oakley Piper, Glade Piper, and Hazley Piper.

A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, March 30th at Ellers Mortuary and Cremation Center located at 3400 S. Webster Street, Kokomo, IN. Visitation will be from 1:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. with a formal ceremony to follow at 3:30 p.m. with Pastor Greg Reed officiating. There will not be a graveside service.

Darlene will be laid to rest in Springdale Cemetery , Santa Fe , Peru, Indiana 46970.