Darrell was a Korean War Veteran. He served in the United States Air Force for 1951-1954 and served in Korea in 1952. After discharge from the military, he worked briefly for McDonnell Douglas and Scott Air Force Base as an Aviation Mechanic. He then worked for the United States Army Aviation Systems Command in St. Louis, MO. He retired from the federal government in 1985 as a Logistical Management Specialist. Darrell was a charter member of the St. Mark Lutheran Church, Belleville, IL. For twenty years of his retirement, he was very involved with the St. Mark / St. George’s Food Pantry, serving fifteen years as coordinator. He was also a member of the American Legion Post #58, VFW Post #1739, and the National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association (NARFE) and its local chapter #1019. He was an avid Nebraska Cornhuskers fan, “Go Big Red” and all-around St. Louis sports fan. Darrell was very proud of his entire family.
He was preceded in death by his wife of nearly 50 years, Darlene A., nee Humphrey, Wurdinger, whom he married on July 5, 1957, and died on February 24, 2007; his parents, John E. and Josephine M., nee Pflanz, Wurdinger; a son, Jay R. Fields; brothers, Clarence, Richard, and Duane (in infancy) Wurdinger; a sister, Luella Carmen; a daughter-in-law, Donna Fields; and a granddaughter, Arwen Fields.
Surviving are his children, Morris Fields of Dunedin, FL, Terry (Diane) Fields of Smithton, IL, Barbara Wurdinger of Belleville, IL, Bonnie (Mike) Schaefer of Belleville, IL, and Kathy (Steve) Bamvakais of Belleville, IL;
five grandchildren, Tony Volpitta, Wade (Shana) Fields, Jaimy (Ryan) Voigts,
Rian (Katie) Beatty, and Brooke Schaefer;
nine great-grandchildren;
a daughter-in-law, Mary Fields;
two brothers, Eldon Wurdinger, and Marlin Wurdinger;
a sister-in-law, Diane Wurdinger;
and many nieces, nephews, and friends who will miss him dearly.
Memorials may be made to St. Mark / St. George’s Food Pantry, St. Mark Lutheran Church or to the charity of the donor’s choice. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.rennerfh.com.
Visitation: Friends may visit from 4 to 8 p.m. Monday, August 7, 2017, at George Renner & Sons Funeral Home, Belleville, IL, and 10 to 11 a.m. Tuesday, August 8, 2017, at St. Mark Lutheran Church, Belleville, IL.
Funeral: Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, August 8, 2017, at St. Mark Lutheran Church, Belleville, IL, with Rev. Brian Robison officiating.
Burial with honors will be at Valhalla Gardens of Memory, Belleville, IL.