Darlene Kaye Umbarger
Darlene Kaye Umbarger, aged 88, passed away on March 20, 2024, at Sheffield Bay in Bay City, Michigan. She was born on May 15, 1935, in Eaton Rapids, Michigan, the daughter of Francis Davis and Iva Willougby. On November 6, 1952, Darlene married the love of her life, Delton Umbarger. Together, they shared many years of cherished moments until his passing in 2015.
Throughout her life, Darlene found joy in simple pleasures. She loved spending time with family, taking road trips with her loved ones, ceramics, ice cream, Elvis, and country western music. Darlene cherished her time with her loved ones and getting to visit her great and great-great grandchildren and great grandnieces. Darlene’s life was blessed and has created lasting memories for her friends and family.
Darlene and Delton moved to Beaverton, MI following her retirement from Felpausch’s in Eaton Rapids, Michigan, where she worked as a meat wrapper. Additionally, she spent many years as a Tupperware saleswoman. Despite life’s challenges, and many changes from growing up during the depression to the invention of cell phones to the loss of her husband, Darlene remained resilient. In 1973, she achieved a significant milestone of finishing her high school education by obtaining her GED and in the 90s she helped teach her grandchildren to use computers.
She is survived by her brother, Richard (Jill) Davis of Pentwater, MI; sister-in-law, Judy Davis, of Florida; children, Debra Watson of Hastings, MI, Peggy Pirhonen of Florida, and Dennis (Debra) Umbarger of Tennessee; grandchildren, Jennifer (Bryan) Moloney of Tennessee, Jeremy (Dana) Pirhonen of Virginia, Christine (Donnie) Chambers, Heather Sawdy of Harbor Springs, and Jamey Sawdy of Grand Rapids and granddog : Tina Louise; great grandchildren, Austin (Nicole) Stranahan of Mississippi, Brayton and Carson Moloney of Tennessee, Maddie and Rylee Chamber of Tennessee, and Dela and Caiden Pirhonen of Virginia; and great-great grandchildren, Gerrard and Scipio Stranahan in Mississippi; along with many nieces and nephews.
She is preceded in death by her beloved husband of 62 years, Delton Umbarger; her daughter, Joni; parents, Francis and Iva; and brothers, Gary and LeRoy.
A memorial service was held on Monday, March 25, 2024 at 1:00 p.m. at Sheffield Bay Chapel, 4471 Sheffield Place, Bay City, MI. Burial took place on Monday, March 25, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. at Gilmore Township Cemetery in Farewell, MI. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Transition Hospice, the Clare County VFW, and Gladwin American Legion Post 171. Arrangements are in the care of Hall-Kokotovich Funeral Home, www.hallkokotovichfuneralhome.com.