Darrell Lee Goldsmith

On December 10th, 2025, Darrell Lee Goldsmith was called home to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Darrell was born in Cadillac, Michigan on July 15th, 1937 to Loren and Edith Goldsmith. He had three sisters, Martha, Iva, and Irma, and one brother Wayne. He grew up in Anderson, Indiana and according to his famous stories "gave his teachers a run for their money".
When he was still in school, he worked for Ted Flowers at The Spot Shop helping to make ornate bridles and saddles which were used by Hollywood celebrities like Roy Rogers. Darrell had a love for motorcycles and was one of the youngest to complete his certification in the Harley Davidson school he attended. He loved working in the motorcycle shop as well as racing dirt bikes in enduros! He received a trophy for the oldest competitor in the Matthews Covered Bridge Enduro! He was a skilled mechanic and Volkswagen enthusiast. From bugs to vans he owned them all and fixed them up for those in the area! He was well known for his Volkswagen double van that he made and traveled to Alaska in. His ingenuity and inventiveness also led to many other things like his Volkswagen riding lawnmower that he created and taught his grandchildren to mow the Bradford Park Church field on. His engineer mind was always leading to tinkering around and being creative and planning five steps ahead in everything he did. He eventually went to work at Delco Remy in Anderson and retired there after 20 years of working in Tool and Die which he was very skilled in.
Darrell was also an avid pilot flying his Ercoupe out of Reese airport. He loved to take his grandchildren up for plane rides and teach them to fly in more ways than one. Always one to give lessons whether it was teaching cardinal directions, reading an aeronautical map, learning to drive, or learning to work hard through moving a stack of rocks from one spot to another. He was always teaching something. He took others under his wing over the years as well, always willing to teach and give someone the opportunity to make something of themselves.
Darrell was an adventurous one from his motorcycles, trip to Alaska, dirt bike races, plane rides, and even skydiving at age 60! He even had his fifteen minutes of fame on an episode of American Pickers! His personality was one for the books, his laughter unique, his jokes and stories plentiful, lessons shared meaningful, and his love for his family unending! He was so proud of his family and at every family event made sure to let everyone know how proud of us he was. He truly was the last of a dying breed. We are grateful for our time with this amazing man, and have peace knowing that he is in the arms of Jesus.
Darrell was preceded in death by his parents Loren and Edith Goldsmith, his siblings Imra, Martha, Iva, and Wanye, his first wife Dorothy Jean, his second wife Opal, and his youngest son, Jeffery Goldsmith.
He is survived by his special lady Kathy Dunsmore, his children Michael Goldsmith (Stephanie), Debbie Baker (Rick). His grandchildren Jessica Tallent (Matt), Josh Baker (Brienna), Jennifer Turner (Travis), Julie Caudill (Justin), Michael Goldsmith (Brooke), and his 12 great grandchildren.
Funeral Services will be held at 12:00 pm on Tuesday, December 16, 2025, at The Meeks Mortuary and Crematory, Mt. Pleasant Chapel, 7901 W. Isanogel Rd, with Pastor Paul Davis officiating. Private burial will be in Anderson Memorial Park in Anderson.
Visitation will be from 10:00 am until service time at 12:00 pm on Tuesday, December 16, 2025. At The Meeks Mortuary and Crematory, Mt. Pleasant Chapel, 7901 W. Isanogel Rd.
In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in honor of Darrell Goldsmith on behalf of his great granddaughter Cellie Caudill to: Beyond Primrose 2BTB20 Foundation https://give.rarevillage.org/campaign/749275/donate.
Online condolences may be directed to the family at www.meeksmortuary.com.