Darrel Lynn Koettel, 80, of rural Ottumwa, died July 2, 2026 at home.
He was born August 29, 1945 in Newport, AR to Calvin Charles and Minnie Allene Reid Koettel. Darrel married Rita Lamb on July 13, 1970 in Kirksville, MO and they were parents of 4 sons. They later divorced. He married Sandra Streeby Sholes on February 26, 2000 in Ottumwa and she preceded him in death on June 20, 2026.
Darrel was a graduate of Newport High School in Arkansas. He served active duty with the U.S. Navy from 1966-68 working in the San Diego Naval Hospital. He was a member of the U.S. Naval Reserves until 1971.
Darrel moved to Ottumwa in 1969 and owned and operated Lamb Roofing, retiring in 2006.
He loved flower gardening, going to auctions and bowling, but his passion was his flowers and his yard. Darrel especially loved coaching his 4 sons in baseball.
Surviving are his children, Loran Koettel of Ottumwa, Jaime (Sarah) Koettel of Fairfield, Andy Koettel of Ottumwa and Jeff Koettel of Oskaloosa; step-sons, Tom (Karen) Sholes of Jefferson City, MO, Mark (Dawn) Sholes and John (Rosellen) Sholes both of Ottumwa; 3 grandchildren, Carmen, Nicholas and Ashlee; 3 great-grandchildren, Brandon, Hudson and Ellinore; numerous step-grandchildren and step-great-grandchildren; and his sister, Pamela (Eddy) Simpson of Mission, TX.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
Funeral services will be 12 p.m. noon Saturday, July 11th, at Reece Funeral Home with Pastor Mark Hornback officiating.
Burial will be in McCormick Cemetery with military honors conducted by O.B. Nelson Post #3 American Legion and Walter B. Schafer Post #775 Veterans of Foreign Wars.
