Darrel Burdette Eakin

Darrel Burdette Eakin, passed away August 30th, 2009, at the age of 96. Funeral services will be 1:30 PM, Wednesday, Sept. 2nd at First Baptist Church in Sibley, with Pastor Doug Noonkester and Pastor Tom Voigt officiating. Burial will follow at Holman Township Cemetery in Sibley. Visitation will be Tuesday, Sept. 1st from 4:00 to 8:00 PM, with family present from 6:00 to 8:00 PM at Jurrens Funeral Home of Sibley. Darrel was born November 6, 1912, in Sibley, Iowa to the parents of Bert and Helen Coral (Campbell) Eakin. As a baby, his parents ventured to Colorado, to homestead farmland, which still remains family owned. Later they returned to Iowa by covered wagon and train, where they settled in Sibley. While he attended Sibley school, he delivered milk by wagon, candled eggs and worked for the local veterinarian. He left high school to pursue a full time career in lying field tile by hand. He was united in marriage to Ada Post on September 22, 1933, in Canton, South Dakota. They settled in Sibley, where he began his masonry trade and in the evenings he would sell monuments, which he was recognized for being a top salesman. After retiring, he began tarring roofs and worked the night shift as the town cop. He was a member of the First Baptist Church in Sibley, where he served as deacon for many years. He and his brothers helped lay the stone at the present church when it was built. He was a devoted Christian and wanted his children, grandchildren, and others to know about Jesus and accept him as their personal Savior. Darrel enjoyed traveling in a camper, fishing with friends and family, buying houses to fix up, and helping out those in need. Those to cherish his memories are two daughters, Sharon and husband, Duane Meinen of Fairfield. IA and Kay Seivert of Ashton, IA; seven grandchildren; eleven great grandchildren; two brothers, Randall Eakin of Okoboji, IA and Virgil and his wife Irene Eakin of Okoboji ,IA; and one sister, Ava Knudson of Spirit Lake, IA. He was preceded in death by his parents, beloved wife Ada; daughter, Barbara Eakin; granddaughter, Kimberly Meinen; and brother, Neil Eakin. Dad always commented "I have had a good and happy life." We loved dad and will miss him, but look forward to the morning we can meet him at the eastern gate.