Darl L. Bookout

Darl Bookout, 95, died peacefully on October 31, 2025, at Westminster Village in Muncie.
He was born May 28, 1930 in Fort Wayne Indiana to Kathleen (LeFavour) Bookout and Cleo Bookout. He graduated from Portland (IN) High School in 1948 and served three years in the US Air Force in England during the Korean War. He and Donna Shoemaker married on July 14, 1957, at Asbury United Methodist Church (UMC) in Portland, IN.
Darl graduated from Ball State University in 1957 and began his career in the trucking business at I.R.C. & D. Motor Freight. He managed freight terminals in Anderson, Muncie and Indianapolis and later worked for Ryder System and Pacific Intermountain Express (P.I.E.) prior to his retirement. Throughout his career he was active in transportation professional groups Delta Nu Alpha and Indiana Motor Truck Assn.
Darl was an active leader in his church and community over the decades. Civic affiliations include Anderson Jaycees, Kiwanis Club of Muncie where he served as President, Master Gardeners, Martin D. Riverside Society of Sigma Phi Epsilon, TEAMwork for Quality Living Circles Program, Precinct Committeeman and United Methodist Men. He was a 32nd Degree Mason in the Valley of Fort Wayne Scottish Rite and a member of the Mizpah Shrine.
He was an active member of Gethsemane UMC for 50 years, later transferring to High Street UMC. Active in United Methodist Mission work, he and Donna traveled on many mission trips including to Africa University in Harare, Zimbabwe. Over the years, he collected and transported many loads of donated text books bound for African mission schools. Other mission trip destinations included Black River, Jamaica; Heifer Ranch Center for Regenerative Agriculture in Perryville, AK; McCurdy School in Espanola, NM; and Red Bird, KY.
He enjoyed working alongside the Gethsemane UMC kitchen crew, preparing weekly meals for the 55 Alive Program. For many years, he chaired the church's annual Spaghetti Dinner and Strawberry Festival-community events that generated support for the mission programs he steadfastly supported.
Darl and Donna were actively involved in international student programs through Ball State University Friendship Families and Gethsemane UMC International Friends. They regularly welcomed students from all over the world into their home for family dinners and conversation. Darl maintained relationships with the students after graduation and took genuine interest in following their lives and careers in their home countries through the years.
Darl was honored with the Bread and Basin Award by the North Indiana Conference of the United Methodist Church, a recognition reserved for lay leaders who quietly serve behind the scenes with unwavering dedication. He demonstrated extraordinary commitment to serving others, leading not with fanfare but with compassion, humility, and faithfulness. Through decades of community service and quiet acts of kindness, he embodied the spirit of servant leadership-always present, always dependable, and always guided by his deep faith.
He was an active grandfather in the lives of his grandchildren. He loved cooking breakfast, road trips to the Shrine Circus, Indians Baseball Games, State Fair or anywhere someone needed a ride. He was happy to pitch in on projects like building the Burris Backyard. He rarely declined a request from his grandchildren for his time or talent. His generosity toward them was unwavering and reflected his love and devotion to each of them.
He is survived by his wife of 68 years Donna (Shoemaker) Bookout and by three daughters: Gretchen Bookout Cheesman (husband Stephen Selvey) of Muncie, Stephanie Bookout Sommer (husband Chris) of Commerce Township, MI and Lorraine Tomlin (special friend Charlie Terry) of Muncie. Eight grandchildren: Hannah Cheesman Ryan (Terence) of Portland, ME; J. Samuel Cheesman (Hannah Wolfer) of Portland, OR; Daniel Cheesman of San Francisco, CA; Elizabeth Sommer Wilcox (Dan) of Naperville, IL; Sarah Sommer Haffey (Robert) of Redondo Beach, CA; Annie Sommer of Pasadena, CA; Katie Tomlin of Franklin, IN; Jared Tomlin (Morgan) of Muncie, IN; five great grandchildren and former son-in-law Jeff Cheesman.
He was preceded in death by his parents and siblings Vecil Heniser and Hurley Bookout.
Darl's family extends sincere appreciation to the staff at Westminster Village/Cooper Vista, SouthernCare Hospice and Lexi Cares for their skilled and compassionate care during his final days.
Darl lived a life marked by extraordinary commitment to serving others. In keeping with that legacy, he gave the gift of life through tissue donation.
Friends may call at High Street UMC, 219 S. High St., Muncie on Wednesday, November 5th from 1:00 to 3:00 PM. Funeral service will be held at the same location at 3:00 PM.
In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to High St. UMC or UMCOR (United Methodist Committee on Relief) for Hurricane Melissa relief to Jamaica. (Global Ministries/UMCOR, GPO, P.O. Box 9068, New York, NY 10087-9068
The Meeks Mortuary and Crematory, Washington Street Chapel is entrusted with all arrangements and online condolences may be left for the family at www.meeksmortuary.com