Presley "Darrell" Oard

Darrell was born on July 20, 1934, in Keokuk, Iowa to P. Jay and Dorothy LaFrenz Oard. His family moved to Peoria a few years later. He married his late wife, Joyce Marie Hedges, on June 24, 1961, in Peoria.

Darrell is survived by his son, Todd (Cindy) Oard of Lisle, IL; daughter, Kelly (Christian) Grandy of Naperville, IL, and three grandchildren, Jake Oard, Sarah Oard, and Connor Grandy.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Joyce; one brother, Ken; and three sisters, Jackie Shores, Dene Weaver, and Jaye Dileo.

Darrell was a 1952 graduate of Woodruff High School. He proudly served in the U.S. Army and was stationed at Fort Shafter in Hawaii. He often shared fond memories of his time spent in Hawaii and playing on his Army unit’s basketball team. He returned to Peoria in 1958 and began a long and successful career in construction equipment sales. He retired from Midwest Foundation in 1993.

His late wife, Joyce, was also a graduate of Woodruff High School (Class of 1953). She was the love of his life. They were married for 55 years and shared many adventures together including traveling and spending time with their children, grandchildren, and friends.

Darrell was an avid Chicago Cubs fan who attended many games at Wrigley Field over the years. He was especially happy to have spent two weeks at the Cubs spring training camp in Arizona the year they won the World Series in 2016.

Darrell loved to golf, read, watch Cubs games and old movies, and listen to jazz music. He was very active in his church. He spent the last few years as a resident at Lutheran Hillside Village where he was loved by all who knew him.

Funeral services will be held at 11AM on Saturday, April 15, 2023, at Peoria Heights Congregational Church. Visitation will be held at the church an hour prior to the service. Burial will follow at Swan Lake Memory Gardens with military honors.

Memorial contributions may be given to Peoria Heights Congregational Church, 4906 N. Prospect Rd., Peoria Heights, IL 61616. Words of comfort may be shared at www.Woolsey-Wilton.com.