Darrell Luster

1940 - 2025

Darrell Luster

December 31, 1940 - January 22, 2025

LEXINGTON-Darrell Luster, 84, of Lexington, IL, passed away on Wednesday, January 22, 2025, surrounded by family. He was a cherished husband, father, brother, grandfather, great-grandfather, and friend.

A visitation will be held 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday January 26, and the funeral service will take place at 11 a.m. on Monday, Jan. 27; both will be held at St. Paul's Lutheran Church, 107 E. Chatham St., Lexington, IL. Calvert & Johnson Memorial Home in Lexington is in charge of arrangements.

Born Darrell DeLoy Luster to Kenneth and Velda Luster on December 31, 1940, he was known to friends as "Red" thanks to his head of auburn hair. On September 19, 1959, he married the love of his life, Betty Blair, in Lexington. He spent the next 65 years in tireless commitment to her, their children and grandchildren, the community, and the church.

Darrell took immense pride in his work and his home and took pleasure in bringing joy to those around him.

He retired from UPS in 2003 after 25 years of service, and 20 years in service to Haushalter's Food Store in Lexington before that. Not only did he impact his community through his work, but he also volunteered much of his time to activities in his hometown including with the fire department as a volunteer and trustee, a member of the Lexington Jaycees, and with the city as treasurer.

He was proud of his community service, but those who knew him will best remember him for his sense of humor and generosity of spirit. They'll remember the small ways he blessed their day or their week with a smile, a wave, or a hug. They'll remember that he always called them by name, and even if he didn't know it, would still treat them like an old friend. They'll remember how he laughed boldly – and often long before he got to the punchline of his own joke. They'll remember that he rarely complained and that he promised "I'm going to", when anyone told him to have a nice day. He emanated joy, and there is no substitute for the light he shared with all of us.

Darrell was also a generous and faithful servant to the Lord. He was a lifelong member of St. Paul's Lutheran Church of Lexington, where he served for many years as an Elder. He sang in the church choir with great enthusiasm (if rarely the right pitch) and delighted in fellowship with his brothers and sisters in Christ.

The only source of happiness greater than his service to the church was that of his family, who returned his boundless love in full measure. All who knew him were blessed, and he will be sorely missed.

Darrell is survived by his wife, Betty; and three children, Darrell (Lisa) Luster, Sue Colclasure, and Cindy (Andrea Gadberry) Leake; and sisters, Marylyn Luchowski and Debbie Pierce. He also leaves behind five grandchildren, Ashley Poirier, Cassie (Justin) Bellas, Katrina (Erik) Westerberg, Andrew (Whitney) Leake, and Kelly (Jared) Vaughn; as well as 18 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by sister, Alice Summers; son-in-law, Don Colclasure Jr; and grandson, Travis Homan.

Memorials may be made to St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Lexington IL. Online memories and condolences may be sent to his family at www.calvertmemorial.com.