Darlene
Darlene L. Riley
Darlene passed away Wednesday, January 13, 2021 at Borgess Hospital in Kalamazoo.
She was born June 8, 1964 in Plainwell, the daughter of Leonard and Sandra (Cam) Riley. Darlene worked at KDR Trucking for several years. She was an animal lover and enjoyed shopping, flower gardening and auto racing.
Surviving are her siblings, Anthony (Byllie) Riley of Delton and Sherri Riley of Gobles; half-brother, Duane Evink of Grand Haven; 2 step-daughters, McKenzie Griffith and Riley Griffith; 2 step-brothers, Donald Evink and Dean (Amy) Evink both of Allegan and many nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; step-father, Elmer Evink and step-sister, Marlene Dell.
Friends may visit with Darlene’s family from 5-7PM, Monday, January 18, 2021 at the Winkel Funeral Home, Otsego.
Cremation will follow.
Burial of ashes will take place at Mountain Home Cemetery at a later time.
In accordance with Covid -19 guidelines a limit of 25 people at a time will be allowed and masks and social distancing will be required.
Contributions in memory of Darlene may be made to the Humane Society or Pet Rescue of choice.
Messages of condolence may be posted at
www.WinkelFuneralHome.com.
Offer Condolence for the family of Darlene L. Riley
Condolence Messages
Carolyn Bennett
January 15, 2021 at 1:31 pm
Darlene was a great lady. I had the pleasure of working with her at Gertsen Trucking. She always had to listen and help when you needed her. She spoke constantly about her step-daughters. May she rest in peace.
Reply
Doug & Cathy Davis
January 15, 2021 at 2:55 pm
So very sorry for your loss. Prayers for your family.
Reply
Pam Try
January 15, 2021 at 3:15 pm
My thoughts and Prayers go out to Dar’s entire family.
What a shock to hear of Dar’s passing.
Dar was a very dear friend. She had a heart of gold.
I love and will miss you my friend.
Reply
Amber Try-Hall
January 15, 2021 at 3:45 pm
I’m so saddened by this news. Dar always greeted me with a hug and smile in my adult years and although I only saw her maybe once a year now, she will be missed!
Reply
LaRayne Sweet
January 15, 2021 at 3:58 pm
I am so sorry to hear the passing of Darlene, I have great childhood/teenage memories I will cherish. Sending my love and prayers to you all
Reply
Dawn Jones
January 15, 2021 at 6:05 pm
Uncle Tony,Aunt Byllie and family, So sorry for your loss. We are lifting your family up in our prayers.
With all our love Keith and Dawn Jones
Reply
Naomi holly
January 15, 2021 at 11:57 pm
So very sorry for the family’s loss. She will be greatly missed
Reply
Jim
January 16, 2021 at 12:08 am
Where to begin…I worked beside you for over 10 yrs. You did everything for me…I can’t believe I’m going to look over at your desk and you not be there. Such a wonderful person. Always willing to help anyone. She had a hesrt of gold and special place in her heart for her daughters! Always was talking about them. My heart and prayers go out to all her family. You will be missed Darlene!
Reply
J. Osman
January 16, 2021 at 7:17 am
My heart aches and tears flow knowing that you aren’t here anymore. You were such a pillar of goodness and kindness. Thank you for being McKenzie’s bonus Mom aka “Momma Dar”; you helped shaped her into a strong and thought girl that she is today. Until we meet again, RIP “Momma Dar”.
Reply
Janene Fitzpatrick
January 16, 2021 at 7:35 am
LOVE and Prayers to Darlene’s family.
Reply
Tammy Fuseek
January 16, 2021 at 8:49 am
So very very sorry for your loss. You all are in my thoughts and prayers.
Reply
Ruth Simonds
January 16, 2021 at 9:31 am
So sorry for your loss sending lots of love hugs prayers to your family
Reply
Scott
January 16, 2021 at 12:46 pm
We all will miss her at work she was a great person and friend would do anything for you praying for the family
Reply
Donna Williams
January 17, 2021 at 12:35 pm
Tony & Billie my heart goes out to you. Hugs hoping you have many great memories to look back on. Aunt Pat’s daughter– Sandy & Corkys niece
Reply
Carol
January 18, 2021 at 10:07 am
Sending condolences to all of Darlene’s family… I only worked with Darlene for a short time and already saw what a smart, kind, hard-working, and fun person she was. She will be missed!
Reply
Tom Gilmer
January 18, 2021 at 10:57 am
Fresh out of college I was hired to teach 3rd grade in Otsego in 1973 at Allegan Street Elementary School. My room was located on the playground side, and I was busy working to set things up in August. My windows were open and a cute little girl rode up on her bike, stuck her head in the window and started talking. “Was I Mr. Gilmer?” she asked . She told me she would be in my class, introduced herself, offered to help me, and came in to do so. Pretty much every day I was working before school started she showed up and helped out. That little girl was Darlene, and she would become the first Otsego student I ever met during my 32 year teaching career in Otsego. She was kind, she was funny, and she was enthusiastic. We had a good year together, and the memory of those first meetings are very good. I am sorry to read that she passed away so young. My sympathies to the family.
Reply
Janet & Don Richcreek
January 18, 2021 at 11:39 am
I did not know Darlene very well only meant her a few times at my niece Kim’s home but she was Very Nice to My Husband & Myself. My Niece Kim Meeker Absolutely Loved that Woman & My Great Niece Kenzie, Well like they said Dar was her 2 Mama. There Hearts are Broken. Darlene You Were So Loved, Rest In Peace. So Very Sorry For Everyone’s Loss
Reply
Barb Wine
January 19, 2021 at 10:27 am
The obit didn’t mention but she also worked at Burnham & Flower for almost two years, while still working at the trucking company. I don’t know how she ever got any sleep. She was a great person to work with and will be missed greatly. We had fun finding new connections in our small world like the fact that my Aunt Deb was her cousin. And that my cousins new daughter in law was related to Darlene also. My condolences to all of her family and friends.
Reply
John Tuka
January 20, 2021 at 1:03 pm
My sincerest condolences for your families loss.
Reply
John Tuka
January 20, 2021 at 1:05 pm
My sincerest condolences for your families loss. She was a fun person and a great sister in law.
Reply
Beverly Holmes
January 20, 2021 at 6:23 pm
So very sad to hear this news about my cousin Darlene. Wishing her siblings and immediate family my condolences. I remember sewing Barbie doll clothes for Darlene when I babysat for her many, many years ago.
Reply
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She was born June 8, 1964 in Plainwell, the daughter of Leonard and Sandra (Cam) Riley. Darlene worked at KDR Trucking for several years. She was an animal lover and enjoyed shopping, flower gardening and auto racing.
Surviving are her siblings, Anthony (Byllie) Riley of Delton and Sherri Riley of Gobles; half-brother, Duane Evink of Grand Haven; 2 step-daughters, McKenzie Griffith and Riley Griffith; 2 step-brothers, Donald Evink and Dean (Amy) Evink both of Allegan and many nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; step-father, Elmer Evink and step-sister, Marlene Dell.
Friends may visit with Darlene’s family from 5-7PM, Monday, January 18, 2021 at the Winkel Funeral Home, Otsego.
Cremation will follow.
Burial of ashes will take place at Mountain Home Cemetery at a later time.
In accordance with Covid -19 guidelines a limit of 25 people at a time will be allowed and masks and social distancing will be required.
Contributions in memory of Darlene may be made to the Humane Society or Pet Rescue of choice.
Messages of condolence may be posted at
www.WinkelFuneralHome.com.
Offer Condolence for the family of Darlene L. Riley
Condolence Messages
Carolyn Bennett
January 15, 2021 at 1:31 pm
Darlene was a great lady. I had the pleasure of working with her at Gertsen Trucking. She always had to listen and help when you needed her. She spoke constantly about her step-daughters. May she rest in peace.
Reply
Doug & Cathy Davis
January 15, 2021 at 2:55 pm
So very sorry for your loss. Prayers for your family.
Reply
Pam Try
January 15, 2021 at 3:15 pm
My thoughts and Prayers go out to Dar’s entire family.
What a shock to hear of Dar’s passing.
Dar was a very dear friend. She had a heart of gold.
I love and will miss you my friend.
Reply
Amber Try-Hall
January 15, 2021 at 3:45 pm
I’m so saddened by this news. Dar always greeted me with a hug and smile in my adult years and although I only saw her maybe once a year now, she will be missed!
Reply
LaRayne Sweet
January 15, 2021 at 3:58 pm
I am so sorry to hear the passing of Darlene, I have great childhood/teenage memories I will cherish. Sending my love and prayers to you all
Reply
Dawn Jones
January 15, 2021 at 6:05 pm
Uncle Tony,Aunt Byllie and family, So sorry for your loss. We are lifting your family up in our prayers.
With all our love Keith and Dawn Jones
Reply
Naomi holly
January 15, 2021 at 11:57 pm
So very sorry for the family’s loss. She will be greatly missed
Reply
Jim
January 16, 2021 at 12:08 am
Where to begin…I worked beside you for over 10 yrs. You did everything for me…I can’t believe I’m going to look over at your desk and you not be there. Such a wonderful person. Always willing to help anyone. She had a hesrt of gold and special place in her heart for her daughters! Always was talking about them. My heart and prayers go out to all her family. You will be missed Darlene!
Reply
J. Osman
January 16, 2021 at 7:17 am
My heart aches and tears flow knowing that you aren’t here anymore. You were such a pillar of goodness and kindness. Thank you for being McKenzie’s bonus Mom aka “Momma Dar”; you helped shaped her into a strong and thought girl that she is today. Until we meet again, RIP “Momma Dar”.
Reply
Janene Fitzpatrick
January 16, 2021 at 7:35 am
LOVE and Prayers to Darlene’s family.
Reply
Tammy Fuseek
January 16, 2021 at 8:49 am
So very very sorry for your loss. You all are in my thoughts and prayers.
Reply
Ruth Simonds
January 16, 2021 at 9:31 am
So sorry for your loss sending lots of love hugs prayers to your family
Reply
Scott
January 16, 2021 at 12:46 pm
We all will miss her at work she was a great person and friend would do anything for you praying for the family
Reply
Donna Williams
January 17, 2021 at 12:35 pm
Tony & Billie my heart goes out to you. Hugs hoping you have many great memories to look back on. Aunt Pat’s daughter– Sandy & Corkys niece
Reply
Carol
January 18, 2021 at 10:07 am
Sending condolences to all of Darlene’s family… I only worked with Darlene for a short time and already saw what a smart, kind, hard-working, and fun person she was. She will be missed!
Reply
Tom Gilmer
January 18, 2021 at 10:57 am
Fresh out of college I was hired to teach 3rd grade in Otsego in 1973 at Allegan Street Elementary School. My room was located on the playground side, and I was busy working to set things up in August. My windows were open and a cute little girl rode up on her bike, stuck her head in the window and started talking. “Was I Mr. Gilmer?” she asked . She told me she would be in my class, introduced herself, offered to help me, and came in to do so. Pretty much every day I was working before school started she showed up and helped out. That little girl was Darlene, and she would become the first Otsego student I ever met during my 32 year teaching career in Otsego. She was kind, she was funny, and she was enthusiastic. We had a good year together, and the memory of those first meetings are very good. I am sorry to read that she passed away so young. My sympathies to the family.
Reply
Janet & Don Richcreek
January 18, 2021 at 11:39 am
I did not know Darlene very well only meant her a few times at my niece Kim’s home but she was Very Nice to My Husband & Myself. My Niece Kim Meeker Absolutely Loved that Woman & My Great Niece Kenzie, Well like they said Dar was her 2 Mama. There Hearts are Broken. Darlene You Were So Loved, Rest In Peace. So Very Sorry For Everyone’s Loss
Reply
Barb Wine
January 19, 2021 at 10:27 am
The obit didn’t mention but she also worked at Burnham & Flower for almost two years, while still working at the trucking company. I don’t know how she ever got any sleep. She was a great person to work with and will be missed greatly. We had fun finding new connections in our small world like the fact that my Aunt Deb was her cousin. And that my cousins new daughter in law was related to Darlene also. My condolences to all of her family and friends.
Reply
John Tuka
January 20, 2021 at 1:03 pm
My sincerest condolences for your families loss.
Reply
John Tuka
January 20, 2021 at 1:05 pm
My sincerest condolences for your families loss. She was a fun person and a great sister in law.
Reply
Beverly Holmes
January 20, 2021 at 6:23 pm
So very sad to hear this news about my cousin Darlene. Wishing her siblings and immediate family my condolences. I remember sewing Barbie doll clothes for Darlene when I babysat for her many, many years ago.
Reply
Leave a Condolence
Cancel reply
Please share your message of condolence with the family, It will be visible to the public but your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked
*
Comment
*
Name
*
*
Δ
Obituary Notification Service
Enter your email address if you would like to be notified when a new obituary notice is posted:
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How do I send a condolence
At the bottom of this page, you will find a condolence form. You will need to fill out some basic information prior to typing your message. (We will not share your e-mail address with anyone) Once you are finished, simply click the submit condolence button. The condolence will be approved before it is published to the web site.
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