Edwin Ralph Darnell, 97, of Morgantown, passed away on Thursday, Dec. 5, 2019, at Horizon Personal Care Home, in Fairchance, Pa.
Edwin was born on May 21, 1922, in Preston County, the son of the late Marion and Thelma Darnell. He experienced a great deal in his 97 ½ years of life. As a boy, he trapped and sold the skins to help his family make ends meet. When he was old enough, he helped his father in the timber business. During the great depression, he said if it were not for some farmers he worked for in Greenville (outside of Bruceton Mills) giving the family some vegetables out of their root cellars, they would have probably starved to death. He later met Pearl O’Neal, whose father ran the general store, in Pisgah, W.Va., and it wasn’t long until they were married.
With war looming, Uncle Sam called and Edwin packed up and went off to fight for his country. Most of his time was spent in Germany as a motor Sargent. His company was scheduled to land at Normandy Beach on D-Day, but his outfit encountered problems in the English port and they were delayed one day which kept him from landing on Normandy. They landed the next day on Utah Beach. Edwin’s outfit fought their way up through Germany building bridges for the allied troops to be able to cross various rivers on their way to victory.
Following the war, Edwin and Pearl were busy raising their two sons, Leo and Barry. Edwin provided for the family as a coal miner in several mines in Western Pa. and W.Va. He retired at age 59 but continued serving his community as a volunteer fireman for a number of years. He was also a long standing member of Cheat Lake Methodist Church and will be greatly missed by family and friends.
He is survived by two sons, Edwin Leo and Barry Darnell; two younger brothers, Vernon Darnell of Pisgah and Ronnie Darnell of Kissinee, Fla., as well as grandchildren and great- grandchildren.
In addition to his parents, Edwin was preceded in death by his wife of 71 years, Pearl O’Neal Darnell; grandson Ronald Lee Darnell; younger brother Darrell and sister Elsie Simpson.
Family and friends will be received at Hastings Funeral Home, 153 Spruce Street, Morgantown, 1 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 8, until the time of the funeral service at 2 p.m. with Pastor Barry Darnell officiating. A private committal service will be held at Fairview Cemetery at Pisgah.
Condolences:
www.hastingsfuneralhome.com
