Darrell Sample

REV. DARRELL D. SAMPLE, 87 ROCKFORD - The Rev. Darrell D. Sample, 87, of Rockford passed away Monday, July 30, 2012, at home. Born Dec. 3, 1924, in Springfield, son of Roscoe and Essie (Miller) Sample. He grew up on a farm at Girard. He later moved with his parents and brother to Donnellson. Here he met his soulmate, Patricia Pownall. They married and enjoyed 67 years of a beautiful life together. Darrell served in General Douglas McArthur's Headquarters in the Philippines and Japan during the last years of World War II. He then attended McKendree College in Lebanon, where he majored in religion and philosophy. He graduated from Garrett Theological Seminary in Evanston and was ordained a United Methodist pastor. Darrell enjoyed participating in high school sports and taking part in drama productions during high school and college years. He was a kind and gentle man who lived by the Bible verse, "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you." After Darrell retired from his years as a pastor, he had to find some way to help others besides volunteer work. He found that mission by graduating from Florida School of Massage while wintering in Florida and obtaining their state license. He was a member of the national Massage Therapy Association and lobbied with a group to get Illinois to license massage therapists. Darrell loved hymns written by Natalie Sleeth, whose husband, Ron, was his advisor and friend at Garrett, and he felt so blessed to know both of them. He was a loving and faithful pastor as he served these churches: Okawville, Greenwood and Ringwood as student pastor, Highland Park/Highwood Bethany UMC, Rockford Christ UMC, Glencoe North Shore UMC, Joliet Grace UMC and Dixon First UMC. After his retirement, he served as interim pastor for several congregations. Darrell dearly loved his family and was so proud of all of them. Survivors include loving wife, Pat; son, Allen of Sherman; daughter, Karen (Tom) Hill of Lansing; grandchildren, Dane (Mallory) Sample of St. Louis, Devan (Chadd) Pfeiffer of Springfield, Darci Sample of Sherman, John Hill of Hamamatsu, Japan, Drew (Cindy) Hill of Kristiansand, Norway, Kara (Eric) McMahon of Crown Point, Ind., and Kalli Hill of Lansing; great-grandchildren, Reed Sample, Norah Hill and Bryn McMahon; sister-in-law, Ina Lee Sample; numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. Predeceased by brother, Delmar Sample. The family wishes to thank all the staff of VNA Hospice for their loving and caring help during Darrell's last weeks. Memorial service at 11 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 11, in Riverside Community Church, 6816 N. Second St., with visitation from 9:30 a.m. to service time; Pastor Bobby Sheets will officiate. Inurnment on Aug. 18, in Union Chapel Cemetery, Girard, with Pastor Al Sample officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorials to VNA Hospice, Riverside Community Church or Wesley Willows Good Samaritan Fund. Arrangements by Delehanty Funeral Home Ltd., Loves Park. For more information, visit delehantyfh.com.