Joe Darling

Joe William Darling, one of four children of Charles W. and Florence E. (Pitcher) Darling, was born December 12, 1919 in Auburn, Nebraska. He attended school in Auburn, graduating from high school in 1938.

On April 1, 1937 Joe was united in marriage to Mervalyn Pasco in Hiawatha, Kansas. They made their home in Falls City, Nebraska, and were blessed with eight children: Patricia, Nancy, Deanna, Dale, Vicki, Gail, Larry, and Linda. In 1962 Joe moved his family to Auburn, Nebraska. Mervalyn passed away in 1978, and four years later, June 17, 1982, Joe married Elnora (Meyer) Harris in Maryville, Missouri. Joe welcomed Elnora?s two sons as his own.

When his country called, Joe entered the U.S. Army on August 2, 1944. He served in the Asiatic Theater during WWII, and was honorably discharged on January 8, 1946.

Joe?s lifelong career was the transfer company his grandfather started many years ago. He started in the business as a young boy, and for 43 years was owner/operator of Darling Transfer serving southeast Nebraska and neighboring states. The orange trucks used in the business became a widely recognized symbol of the Darling family.

Joe was a member of First United Methodist Church in Auburn, as well as American Legion Post #23, VFW Post #3277, and the Auburn Eagles Club. While in Falls City he served on the volunteer fire department and in Auburn was a member of the Nemaha Valley Museum Board and served for many years on the Sheridan Cemetery Association Board. He loved to travel, and almost never missed a big moment in the lives of his many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

After Elnora?s passing in 2007, Joe was able to live at their home in Auburn until just before his 93rd birthday, when he became a resident of the Good Samaritan Society-Auburn. It was there he passed away on Friday, February 1, 2013 at the age of 93 years, 1 month, and 20 days. In addition to his parents and wives, Joe was preceded in death by 2 brothers and their wives, a sister, a daughter-in-law, and 2 brothers-in-law.

Those left to mourn his passing include his children and their spouses Pat and Ed O?Grady of Falls City; Nancy Darling of Mountain View, CA; Deanna and Glen Mellage of Auburn; Dale Darling of Lincoln; Vicki and Jim McMurray of Lawrence, KS; Gail and Ron Sears of Ainsworth, NE; Larry and Faye Darling of Lincoln; Linda and Marlin Boden of Nemaha; children of his heart (step-sons) Francis and wife Marilyn Harris of Horseshoe Bay, TX; Ronald and wife Linda Harris of Austin, TX; 18 grandchildren and their spouses; 9 step-grandchildren; 34 great-grandchildren; 19 step-great-grandchildren; 9 great-great-grandchildren; sisters-in-law Beverly Bunn of Burlingame, CA and Carol Pasco of Auburn; many other relatives and friends.

Funeral services will be Tuesday, February 5, 2:00 p.m. at First United Methodist Church in Auburn. Burial will follow in Sheridan Cemetery near Auburn. Visitation will be at the funeral home Monday 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., with family greeting friends 6:00 to 8:00.

Memorials are suggested to Auburn Rescue Squad, Sheridan Cemetery Association, or First United Methodist Church.