Darrell Dean Stober, 87 of rural Ottumwa passed away peacefully at home October 9, 2025.
Darrell was born June 8, 1938 to Ed and Ola Harmon Stober in rural Avery, Iowa. He married Marion From, March 8, 1963 in Chillicothe, Iowa.
Darrell attended Hedrick school. When he was 17, he walked to Ottumwa and enlisted in the United States Air Force. After basic training, he was stationed at Homestead Air Force base as a B47 mechanic crew chief. During his service, he flew to BenGuerir Air Base, North Africa. This was his only trip to another country.
After serving his country, he returned home and worked with his brother PeeWee at Ollie Rock Quarry. He later worked at John Morrell until they closed in 1973. He then spent his remaining working years at John Deere Ottumwa Works retiring as a welder in 1998.
Darrell was an avid fisherman. He loved fishing with his close friend Ancil Padgett and brother Kenny and brother-in-law Jim. Many years there would be a fish fry with all of the fish they caught.
He also loved playing sports with his children and grandchildren, watching NASCAR races, the yearly fishing trips to Minnesota with his son Doug and bowling for the John Deere leagues on Friday nights.
He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Marion, daughters, Kristi Ballard of Albia, Aimee (Brad) Wells of Ottumwa and son, Doug (Pam) Stober of Oklahoma City; five grandchildren, Mike (Maddy) Ballard of Albia, Laynie Ballard (Tyler Calhoun) of Albia, Morgan (Adam) Giltner of Ottumwa, Malayna Stober of Iowa City and Lauren Wells (Wyatt Hull) of Pulaski; six great grandchildren, Paul, Nathan, Sydney and Meredith Ballard and Grant and Madilyn Calhoun all of Albia and a sister-in-law, Kate Stober of Ottumwa along with many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, mother-in-law, Edith Swanson, 4 brothers, Maynard (Mary), Kenny, David (Charlotte), Glenn “PeeWee” (Joann), and a sister Helen (Jim) Morford; 2 nieces, a nephew and great nephew.
Visitation will be open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday October 12th at Reece Funeral Home with family present to greet friends from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday.
Funeral services will be 1 p.m. Monday at Reece Funeral Home with Pastor Dennis Durst officiating. Burial will be in Chillicothe Cemetery with military honors conducted by Walter B. Schafer Post #775 Veterans of Foreign Wars and O.B. Nelson Post #3 American Legion.
Memorials may be made to the Wapello County 4-H Foundation for 4-H scholarships.
