Mr. Darrell Dean Eilander

Darrell Dean Eilander, 81, of Ankeny, was called home on May 17, 2016, due to complications of a cardiac arrest. Celebration of life will be held at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, May 21, 2016, at Ankeny First United Methodist Church, where he had been a member since 1966. A visitation will be held from 5-7:00 p.m., Friday, May 20th at the Ankeny Memorial Chapel. Darrell was born on June 14, 1934. He was a U.S. Army Veteran and served during the Korean Conflict. Darrell worked at the John Deere plant for 38 years as an assembler building cotton pickers, rotary hoes and grain drills until his retirement in 1995. He was also well known in the community for his quality concrete work and his hard work ethic. Darrell and his wife, Janice, were married on September 9, 1956, at the Little Brown Church in Nashua, Iowa. They made their first home in Newton, Iowa until moving to Ankeny in 1965, making it their permanent home and raising their family. Darrell is survived by his wife, Janice; his children, Mike (Robin) Eilander, Darrin (Michelle) Eilander and Michelle (Chad) Trimble. He also leaves behind many grandchildren, Derek Eilander, Brook Otto, Teale Westberg, Cole and Kayla Eilander, Brendan, Meghan, Holly and Drew Trimble; and great-grandchildren, Gabe and Lily Otto and June Westberg. He was preceded in death by his mother, Tietje, his son, David, and infant daughter, Diane. Darrell's family was very important to him and he has given wonderful memories to all of them. The Lord received another angel and his family will miss him greatly.