Darrell Richard Spain

Darrell Richard Spain, 73, of Lost Nation, died peacefully Tuesday, August 4, 2015, in his home, surrounded by his wife Jackie and son, Vincent.

Visitation will be from 2:00 until 6:00 p.m. Sunday, August 9, 2015, at Schultz Funeral Home, DeWitt, Iowa, with a Vigil Service at 1:30. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. Monday, August 10, 2015, at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Petersville, Iowa. Burial will be at Elmwood Cemetery, DeWitt. The Rev. Fr. Scott Lemaster and the Rev. Fr. Francis Odoom will officiate.

Darrell was born January 12, 1942, to Paul J. and Marcella M. (McDonnell) Spain in Clinton, Iowa. He was the oldest of seven children, having four brothers and two sisters.  He graduated from Welton High School in 1960.  Darrell married Jacqueline Marie Sheridan on July 16, 1966, at St. Ann’s Catholic Church in Long Grove, Iowa. Darrell farmed in the Welton, Petersville, and Lost Nation areas. He was employed at Farmall, Rock Island, Illinois, worked as a seed corn sorter for eighteen seasons, and was a Crows Hybrid seed corn dealer for 15 years.

He was a long time member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Lost Nation, where he served as an usher.  He was also a member of the Knights of Columbus, Farm Bureau, Clinton County Pork Producers, and the Welton Volunteer Fire Department. Darrell had a passion for youth in agriculture. As a member of the Welton Jr. Farmers 4-H Club, he cherished exhibiting his Black Angus Cattle.  He became a leader of the Welton Jr. Farmers as well as the Northwest Jr. Farmers in Lost Nation, and served on the Clinton County Extension Council to encourage involvement in agriculture.  Darrell loved pulling his Farmall 560 diesel Tractor. In later years he enjoyed attending tractor pulls all over Iowa and Illinois.  Darrell was one of his grandchildren’s biggest supporters in their music, sports, 4-H, and FFA activities.

Those left to honor his memory are his wife of 49 years, Jackie; a son and daughter-in-law, Vincent and Stephanie Spain of Castalia; three grandchildren, Alexis (Kevin) Schneider of Des Moines, Spencer Spain of St. Olaf, and Cole Spain of Castalia; siblings, Paul L. (Sandy) of Coal Valley, Illinois, Ruth Spain of DeWitt, Larry (Nancy) of Petersville, Terry (Helen) of Delmar, Steve “Woody” (Paula) of Delmar, Rita (Pat) Dunlavey of Charlotte; step-mother, Delores Spain of DeWitt; many cousins, nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, and a niece, Shannon Spain.

Memorials may be made to Hope Lodge, Iowa City, and Genesis Hospice.

Condolences may be expressed and a photo tribute viewed at www.schultzfuneralhomes.com