LAWRENCE WILBERT DARNSTAEDT, 86, of Jacob, Illinois, passed away at 2:50 pm on Wednesday, January 15, 2014 at Memorial Hospital in Carbondale, Illinois. He was born to the late Gustav and Ida (nee: Guetersloh) Darnstaedt on October 29, 1927 in Jacob, Illinois. He married Nora L. Moeller on May 4, 1951 in Chester, Illinois; she survives. Lawrence farmed most of his life on the family farm. He worked 27 years on power line construction and was a member of Local #702. He had built several hand pedal tricycle type vehicles for handicapped youngsters. He was a member of Christ Lutheran Church in Jacob, served on the School Board at Christ Lutheran School, was church elder and was an usher for 50 years. He enjoyed restoring old International Harvester tractors and tractor parades. He was the Grand Marshal of the 2012 Tractor Parade in Jacob, IL. Survivors: Wife Nora Darnstaedt Jacob, IL 6 Children: Debra (Don) Beckman Campbell Hill, IL Laura (Richard) Vasquez Chester, IL Lisa (Rick) Sutton Murphysboro, IL Heidi (Kenny) Bunselmeyer Jacob, IL Larry Darnstaedt Jacob, IL Todd Darnstaedt Carbondale, IL 15 Grandchildren: Sabrina (Jonathon) Jeremiah, Tiffany (Keith) Daily, Tyler (Sarah) Beckman, Thomas Beckman, Jonathan (Casey) Beckman, Jennifer Vasquez, Jason (Rachel) Vasquez, Kyle Heins, Brittany (Mike) Niermann, Kendra (Tufan) Zengil, Kandace (Tony) Messina, Alecia Darnstaedt, Levi Darnstaedt, Alexis Darnstaedt and Blake Darnstaedt 2 Step Grandchildren: Shauna (Adam) Hoffman and Nathan Sutton 16 Great Grandchildren: Courtney Johnson, Jared Johnson, Landon Hornbostel, Olivia Vasquez, Elijah Beckman, Briar Beckman, Titus Beckman, Rue Elli Nierman, Jacob Nierman, Preston Heins, Kylie Heins, Karter Zengil, Kaylin Zengil, Karson Messina, Konnor Messina and Juliana Jeremiah 4 Step Great Grandchildren: Brittany (Marcus) Hurley, Brandy Stewart, Cody Stewart and Zada Hoffman 3 Step Great-Great Grandchildren 1 Niece: Gail (Bill) Linamen Preceded in death by: Parents, 1 Sister - Helen (Al) Wichern, 1 Nephew - Kenneth Wichern and 1 Grandson - Andrew Lawrence Beckman Funeral Service: 11:00 am, Saturday, January 18, 2014 Pechacek-McClure Funeral Home, Chester, Illinois Officiating: Rev. Michael Kettner Visitation: Friday - 4:00 pm - 8:00 pm Saturday - 7:30 am - 11:00 am Pechacek-McClure Funeral Home, Chester, Illinois Interment: St. John Lutheran Cemetery Chester, Illinois Memorials: Christ Lutheran School, Jacob, IL Christ Lutheran Church, Jacob, IL Donor's Choice
