Darlene M. Meisel, 99, of Mendota, passed away Wednesday, November 27, 2024 at Stonecroft Village in Mendota.  She was born April I, 1925 to Ray and Gladys (Ansteth) Rod in a country home west of Earlville, Illinois. Her parents later moved to a farm northeast of Meriden. She graduated from Four Mile Grove Grade school and Mendota High School in 1943. She then helped her parents on the farm until her work carrier began as a clerk in the National Tea grocery followed by working on the piecing line at the Elgin watch factory both in Mendota also working as a baby sitter for two family friends.

She married Harold Meisel July 6, 1946 in St. John's Parsonage in Mendota. She was baptized and Confirmed Lutheran. Their home was the Meisel family farm in Dimmick township. She continued with her farming ability with her husband. She touched many lives of children as a school bus driver for Dimmick school and Mendota school district for 27 years. Also transported special education students for several years for both districts. At Dimmick she volunteered for several duties, was PTA President, room mother and worked with the 4-H club. Also as a life member at IVCH was President of the Auxilary then manager/purchasing agent for the Gift Shop for 15 years. Darlene served on St. John's Lutheran church Alter Guild and taught Sunday school and Bible school.

After 48 years on the farm they moved to Mendota.  They became members and volunteered for Mendota Area Senior Services, Mendota Museum Historical Society, St. John's Lutheran church. With her husband's help they helped fold and delivered the church bulletins too shut-ins of the church for 10 years, Life Member of Mendota Community Hospital and delivered meals on wheels for 17 years. Harold and Darlene were nominated by MASS and accepted into The Gallery of Ageless Achievers in 2000.

She is preceded in dearth by her parents, her Husband Harold Aug. 12, 2023; 3 sisters: Charlotte Coates, Virginia Piller and Marjorie Anderson; 1 stillborn brother: Donald; 1 foster brother: Jonny-Norbert Horstman.

Darlene is survived by her three children: Janet (Rick) Close of Dalzell, IL, Kevin (Joann) Meisel of Mendota, IL and Darryl (Sandy) Meisel of Ottawa; 7 grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren; several nieces and nephews; one sister: Mary Jane Bradford of Oklahoma.

Public visitation will be 9:00-11:00 AM, Friday, December 6, 2024 at Horner-Merritt Funeral Home Mendota IL.  Funeral service following the visitation at 11:00 AM at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers memorials can be made in her honor to MASS or St. Johns Lutheran Church of Mendota. Visit www.horner-merritt.com for online guestbook.