Betty, passed away on April 1, 2020. She was born to Frederick and Nora Locke, as the youngest of 10 children.
After graduating from Parma High School, she was recruited to work for the FBI as a fingerprinting specialist in Washington, DC. Upon her return she met the love of her life, Van Marshall, on a very fortuitous blind date. On June 16, 1963, they decided to elope and settle down together on their new dairy farm, where they went on to raise four children (and quite a few cows).
An avid church-goer, Darlene loved socializing with her friends and family as well as putting her green thumb to good use in her garden, growing tiger lilies and chrysanthemums. She belonged to Calvary Baptist Church and volunteered for the nursery there, where she offered more than twenty years of hugs and helping hands.
Darlene was sunshine personified. Over the course of a single conversation she could make you feel like the most important person in the world, rarely departing without one of her signature catchphrases: "Bless your heart! You're special!" She sang while getting ready for church every Sunday morning, brought a smile to the face of anyone lucky enough to meet her, and her laugh was simply one-of-a-kind.
She is survived by her four children, Eric (Marsha Baum) Marshall, Brian (Sharon Fitzhugh) Marshall, Van (Kristy Bytwerk) Marshall Jr., and Ami (Brendan) Berry; grandchildren, Ethan (Marissa Riedstra), Janelle (Tyler) Harris, Alex, Jesse, Shelby, Abby (Kalen) Oswald, Jessie, Beth, James, Liam, Kate; 2 great-grandchildren; sister-in-law, Elsilee Marshall; and several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband, parents, grandson Garrett, and nine siblings.
Cremation has taken place and the memorial service will be held at a future date.
Lauer Funeral Home, Concord, MI.
After graduating from Parma High School, she was recruited to work for the FBI as a fingerprinting specialist in Washington, DC. Upon her return she met the love of her life, Van Marshall, on a very fortuitous blind date. On June 16, 1963, they decided to elope and settle down together on their new dairy farm, where they went on to raise four children (and quite a few cows).
An avid church-goer, Darlene loved socializing with her friends and family as well as putting her green thumb to good use in her garden, growing tiger lilies and chrysanthemums. She belonged to Calvary Baptist Church and volunteered for the nursery there, where she offered more than twenty years of hugs and helping hands.
Darlene was sunshine personified. Over the course of a single conversation she could make you feel like the most important person in the world, rarely departing without one of her signature catchphrases: "Bless your heart! You're special!" She sang while getting ready for church every Sunday morning, brought a smile to the face of anyone lucky enough to meet her, and her laugh was simply one-of-a-kind.
She is survived by her four children, Eric (Marsha Baum) Marshall, Brian (Sharon Fitzhugh) Marshall, Van (Kristy Bytwerk) Marshall Jr., and Ami (Brendan) Berry; grandchildren, Ethan (Marissa Riedstra), Janelle (Tyler) Harris, Alex, Jesse, Shelby, Abby (Kalen) Oswald, Jessie, Beth, James, Liam, Kate; 2 great-grandchildren; sister-in-law, Elsilee Marshall; and several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband, parents, grandson Garrett, and nine siblings.
Cremation has taken place and the memorial service will be held at a future date.
Lauer Funeral Home, Concord, MI.
Betty, passed away on April 1, 2020. She was born to Frederick and Nora Locke, as the youngest of 10 children.
After graduating from Parma High School, she was recruited to work for the FBI as a fingerprinting specialist in Washington, DC. Upon her return she met the love of her life, Van Marshall, on a very fortuitous blind date. On June 16, 1963, they decided to elope and settle down together on their new dairy farm, where they went on to raise four children (and quite a few cows).
An avid church-goer, Darlene loved socializing with her friends and family as well as putting her green thumb to good use in her garden, growing tiger lilies and chrysanthemums. She belonged to Calvary Baptist Church and volunteered for the nursery there, where she offered more than twenty years of hugs and helping hands.
Darlene was sunshine personified. Over the course of a single conversation she could make you feel like the most important person in the world, rarely departing without one of her signature catchphrases: "Bless your heart! You're special!" She sang while getting ready for church every Sunday morning, brought a smile to the face of anyone lucky enough to meet her, and her laugh was simply one-of-a-kind.
She is survived by her four children, Eric (Marsha Baum) Marshall, Brian (Sharon Fitzhugh) Marshall, Van (Kristy Bytwerk) Marshall Jr., and Ami (Brendan) Berry; grandchildren, Ethan (Marissa Riedstra), Janelle (Tyler) Harris, Alex, Jesse, Shelby, Abby (Kalen) Oswald, Jessie, Beth, James, Liam, Kate; 2 great-grandchildren; sister-in-law, Elsilee Marshall; and several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband, parents, grandson Garrett, and nine siblings.
Cremation has taken place and the memorial service will be held at a future date.
Lauer Funeral Home, Concord, MI.
After graduating from Parma High School, she was recruited to work for the FBI as a fingerprinting specialist in Washington, DC. Upon her return she met the love of her life, Van Marshall, on a very fortuitous blind date. On June 16, 1963, they decided to elope and settle down together on their new dairy farm, where they went on to raise four children (and quite a few cows).
An avid church-goer, Darlene loved socializing with her friends and family as well as putting her green thumb to good use in her garden, growing tiger lilies and chrysanthemums. She belonged to Calvary Baptist Church and volunteered for the nursery there, where she offered more than twenty years of hugs and helping hands.
Darlene was sunshine personified. Over the course of a single conversation she could make you feel like the most important person in the world, rarely departing without one of her signature catchphrases: "Bless your heart! You're special!" She sang while getting ready for church every Sunday morning, brought a smile to the face of anyone lucky enough to meet her, and her laugh was simply one-of-a-kind.
She is survived by her four children, Eric (Marsha Baum) Marshall, Brian (Sharon Fitzhugh) Marshall, Van (Kristy Bytwerk) Marshall Jr., and Ami (Brendan) Berry; grandchildren, Ethan (Marissa Riedstra), Janelle (Tyler) Harris, Alex, Jesse, Shelby, Abby (Kalen) Oswald, Jessie, Beth, James, Liam, Kate; 2 great-grandchildren; sister-in-law, Elsilee Marshall; and several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband, parents, grandson Garrett, and nine siblings.
Cremation has taken place and the memorial service will be held at a future date.
Lauer Funeral Home, Concord, MI.
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