Darrell Ferch

Darrell Ferch, 76, of Charles City, passed away Thursday, Feb. 25, 2021 at the Floyd County Medical Center in Charles City.

A funeral Mass will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, March 2, 2021 at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Charles City with Reverend Tom Heathershaw officiating. Burial will be at Sunnyside Memory Gardens in rural Charles City. The funeral Mass will be live streamed on the Hauser Weishaar Funeral Home Facebook page at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday morning.

Visitation will be at Hauser Weishaar Funeral Home in Charles City from 5-7 p.m. on Monday, March 1, 2021 and will continue one hour before the funeral Mass at the church on Tuesday. Those in attendance are asked to wear a mask and follow social distancing guidelines.

Darrell Lee Ferch, the son of Leland and Dorothy (Delap) Ferch, was born June 9, 1944 in Charles City. He received his education in Charles City graduating from Charles City High School in 1962. Darrell began his working career in 1959 at the Sherman Nursery in Charles City following in his mother’s footsteps. After graduation, he worked in several foundries in the area until beginning at Fort Dodge Animal Health in 1995, retiring in 2010. Darrell also owned and operated a lawn care and snow removal business for over 30 years and cleaned the Noah, Smith, Schuknecht & Sloter law office for over 30 years.

Darrell married Diana Sherwood and this union was blessed with Sheila and Scott. He then married Erma Feltus and together they had Ted and Melissa. On Dec. 29, 1973, Darrell was united in marriage to Jane McAloon and they were blessed with Colby, Kelli and Janae.

In 2005, Darrell was diagnosed with Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency, a genetic condition that affected his lungs. Darrell and Jane were active members of the local Alpha-1 Foundation Chapter in Cedar Rapids attending monthly meetings. Darrell was also a member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church and the Knights of Columbus.

Darrell enjoyed hunting, fishing and camping (anything to do with the outdoors really), playing cards (Rummy and Cribbage especially), being involved with figure eight and stock car races, attending any kind of family celebration (especially if it had to do with his children or grandchildren who he loved so much), working crossword puzzles, reading Louie L’Amour books and making lists. He and Jane managed roller skating at the YMCA for several years; he umpired for boys and girls ball games and ran chains for Charles City football games. Darrell always had a smile on his face, would talk to anyone anywhere, was willing to help whenever needed and made sure his family was on time, letting them know (especially Jane) when the “bus was leaving.” He was an avid Iowa Hawkeye and Chicago Cubs fan and was the best cook, especially when it came to “Ferch’s Breakfast” which always included his delicious French toast.

Living family members include his wife of 47 years, Jane of Charles City; children: Sheila (James) Beals of Tucson, Arizona, Scott Clemons of Tucson, Arizona, Ted (Sara) Ferch of Clarksville, Melissa (Eric) Thornton of Oelwein, Colby (Jen) Ferch of Parkland, Florida, Kelli (Eddie) Wichman of Waverly, and Janae Ferch (fiancé Wade Crooks) of Charles City; 15 grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; two sisters: Darla Jean (Dr. Roger) Throndson of Galveston, Texas and Debra (James) Willner of Wells, Minnesota; his beloved dog, Millie; along with numerous nieces, nephews, other family members and multiple friends.

Darrell was preceded in death by his parents; and brother, Ernest Ferch.

Hauser Weishaar Funeral Home, (641) 228-2323, 1205 South Main Street, Charles City, Iowa 50616 is in charge of local arrangements. Online condolences may be left on the Tribute Wall for the family at www.hauserfh.com.