Darrel K. Kempf, age 77 years, of Pettisville, passed away early Wednesday morning, January 8, 2020, at CHP Defiance Area Inpatient Hospice. He was born January 16, 1942, at Parnell, Iowa, the son of Ervin and Lucille (Kuhns) Kempf. He married Mary Ellen Eash on July 30, 1966 and she preceded him in death on April 17, 2008.
He served in voluntary service in Hannibal, MO, and lived in the Fayette area many years before moving to Pettisville in 2008. He worked at LaChoy Food Products, was a self-employed truck driver, and retired from Archbold Equipment in 2010.
He enjoyed purchasing, repairing and then donating lawn mowers for Youth for Christ auctions, mowing family and friends lawns and helping others. He was a member of the Inlet Mennonite Church, rural Wauseon.
He is survived by four children, Rhonda Kempf and Michael (Diane) Kempf , both of Pettisville, Brian (Debra)Kempf of Stryker and Scott (Christine) Kempf of Perrysburg; three grandsons, Zachary (Brittney) Kempf, Gregory Kempf and Austin Kempf; two brothers, Ervin Kempf of Navarre, FL and Dennis (Carol) Kempf of Williamsburg, IA; two sisters, Janice (Garry) Barrett of Waukon, IA and Lydia (Mike) Martin of Parnell, IA.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife; two brothers, Edward and Larion.
Memorial services will be held on Monday at 11 AM at North Clinton Church with Pastors Luke Nagy and Brad Faler officiating. Interment will precede at 10 AM in the Pettisville Cemetery. Friends may call at North Clinton Church from 3 – 7 PM on Sunday.
Short Funeral Home in Archbold has been entrusted with the arrangements. The family suggests that memorials be given to CHP Inpatient Hospice or the charity of the donor’s choice.
