Darlene O'Connell, age 82 of Freeport, IL, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by her family on Friday, March 24, 2017. She was born July 22, 1934; the daughter of the late Lena (Smith) Ralls. She married James George O'Connell on January 27, 1953; he passed on April 22, 1998.
She is survived by her son, David "Rooster" (Patty Shenberger) O'Connell of Freeport; daughters, Brenda (Michael) Staben of Downers Grove, IL and Nancy (Bill) Johnson of Pearl City, IL; grandchildren, Jennifer (Prescot Gadd), Todd (Samantha) Staben, Meghan (Adam Holloway) Johnson, Paul (Casey Coon) Johnson, Jason (Maria Ginn) O'Connell, and Hunter Shenberger; and great grandchildren, Harper Ritschard, Brian and Brody Ginn, and a great grandchild on the way. She was preceded in death by her mother, Lena; husband, James; son, Jerry; and her brother and sister.
The funeral service will be held Wednesday, March 29th at 12:00 pm at Walker Mortuary in Freeport with a visitation beginning at 11:00 am. Interment will take place at Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens in Freeport. A memorial fund has been established. Condolences may be shared with her family at www.walkermortuary.com.