Darrell DeLong

Darrell Albert DeLong, son of Leonard Evertt DeLong “Peck” and Gladys Lucille (Hall) DeLong, was born May 20, 1928, in Osceola. He passed from this life April 27, 2009, at his home in Osceola at 80 years of age.

Darrell attended Osceola school.  He was united in marriage to Betty Jean Osborn on May 1, 1948, in Peru, and six children blessed this union.

Darrell was a self-employed truck driver and horse trainer. His love of horses allowed him to show horses at the State Fair for many years, and he enjoyed crafting bridles, spurs and halters. He also made his grandchildren and great grandchildren sheep halters to use when showing at the fair.  He was a member of Osceola Saddle Club; Sheriff’s Posse; and former member of Osceola Go-Getters 4-H Club. Darrell enjoyed country music; he loved to dance and call square dancing. He also had a great love of horses, trained many trick horses, and also trained several horses in dressage. His family, children, and grandchildren were the center of his life. For many years, family outings consisted of camping at the State Fair and traveling to the Sydney Rodeo. These family times created very special memories to all his family.

Those relatives who preceded Darrell in death were his parents; sister, Alice June Mason; brother, Richard Max DeLong; great-grandson, Tanner Roe Matlage; and brother-in-law, John L. Binns.

He leaves to cherish his memory: his wife, Betty DeLong of Osceola; daughters, Janet (Larry) Miller of Murray, Pennie (Bob) Jubell of Osceola, Sharon (Bernie) Miller of Murray, Deb (Brian) Brown of New Virginia, Dara (Steve) Queck of Peru; son, Lenard (Minda Barr) DeLong of Pleasant Hill; 14 grandchildren, Jim Miller of Murfeesboro, Tenn., Wanda (Greg) Draper of Garden Grove, Bobbie (Jason) Cook of Osceola, Billy (Rebecca) DeLong of Osceola, Robin (Jim) Young of Pleasantville, Michele (Mark) Matlage, Tonya (Damon) Dustin, Troy (Robin) Miller - all of Murray, Jeremy (Joni) Brown of Des Moines, Jenna Brown of Indianola, Stephanie (Josh) Good of St. Charles, Becky (Brad) Kramer, Danielle (Zach Woods) Queck, Paul Queck — all of Peru; 29 great-grandchildren, Kyle, Devin, Braden and Levi Draper, Jesse and Brittany Bailey, Kayelea, Kelcy and Jayden Cook, Michael and Dakota Matlage, Mercedes and Hunter Davis, Andy and Alex Young, Scarlet and Grayson Dustin, Brent, Anthony, Caleb and Dustin Miller, Casey, Charmayne and Christopher DeLong, Ashley and Madison McNutt, Brianna and Braelyn Brown, Kolter Good; great-great-grandson, Christopher Crisman; sister, Dixie Binns of Osceola; as well as many nieces, nephews, other family and friends.

Funeral services were held May 2, 2009, at Kale Funeral Home in Osceola, Pastor Brian McCracken officiating.

Interment followed in Maple Hill Cemetery.