Darrell Mansfield

DARRELL MANSFIELD

WHITE HALL — Darrell Lee Mansfield, 85, of White Hall, passed away on Monday, March 19, 2018, at St. John's Hospital in Springfield, Illinois. He was born on Aug. 11, 1932, in Scottville, the son of Coy Hicks and Ruth Marie (Marsh) Mansfield. He married Nancy Griswold in 1956. They had a daughter, Julie Marie. He later married Jo Ann Cosgriff in 1963. They had two children, Donald Alonzo (Lon) and Lea Ann.

Darrell graduated from White Hall High School in 1950 and the University of Missouri in 1954, with a degree in Animal Husbandry. While at Mizzou he was a member of Alpha Gamma Rho Fraternity, which created many friendships and humorous stories.

After graduating, he engaged in grain and livestock farming. He then spent three years in Roswell, New Mexico, managing the feedlot for Glover Meat Packing. He returned to White Hall to farm with his father in 1966. He continued to expand the farming operation through his hard work and his keen business sense, with his son, the fourth generation, eventually joining him. He actively managed the farm until his final days. He loved to farm and his favorite chore was taking care of the cattle. He especially enjoyed his herd of Texas Longhorns.

In his youth, he was a patient in Shriner's Hospital in St. Louis, which began his lifetime support of the Shrine organization. He was a member of White Hall Lodge #80 AF & AM for 64 years, Scottish Rite-Valley of Springfield and Ansar Shrine for 61 years respectively. He was also a member of Rasna Shrine Club and the Ansar Tin Lizzies Shrine Unit. He was seen in many parades driving in the Tin Lizzie unit, currently serving as Captain. He was the Honorary Ringmaster at the Shrine Circus in 2011 and named "Shriner of the Year" in 2008. He proudly hosted a pig roast every September, generating thousands of dollars that went directly to the Shriner's Hospital for Children in St. Louis.He served on the North Greene School Board, and enjoyed his membership with Bullshippers.

He is survived by his wife, Jo Ann; children Julie (Tim) King of Olathe, Kansas, Lon (Debbie) of White Hall and Lea Ann (Steve) Brannan of Jacksonville. He also leaves eight grandchildren: Andrew, John (Mary), Daniel, and Matthew (Maddie) King, all of Kansas, Joe and Brooke Brannan of Jacksonville, Keaten Mansfield of White Hall, and a step-grandson, Jordan (Chrissy) Walters of Carrollton, and two great-grandchildren, Carter and Claire King of Kansas, and two stepgreat-grandchildren, Alex and Tannin Walters of Carrollton. He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother Donald Alonzo.

Darrell enjoyed antique auctions, amassing numerous eclectic collections, traveling, watching his grandchildren in their various activities and socializing with friends near and far. He not only cultivated crops he cultivated friendships wherever he went.

A funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, March 24, 2018 at Christ United Methodist Church in White Hall, with burial at White Hall Cemetery. The family will meet friends from 3 to 7 p.m. on Friday at the church. Masonic Rites will be conducted at 7 p.m. on Friday. Memorials are suggested to the Shriner's Hospital for Children in St. Louis. Airsman-Hires Funeral Home in White Hall is in charge of the arrangements. Condolences may be left online at www.airsman-hires.com.