Theodore Darling

Theodore R. “Bob” Darling, age 86, of Battle Creek, passed away Saturday April 16, 2016. He was born August 17, 1929 in Hastings, Michigan the son of Ted and Gladys (Beach) Darling. Bob had worked at AK Zin Feed and Grain, the Coca-Cola Bottling Company and retired in 1988 from the City of Battle Creek where he had worked for 40 years. While working for the city he helped build Binder Park Golf Course, Bailey Park ball fields and planted thousands of tulips at Irving Park. His nickname was “Sicklebar Bob” because of all the grass he cut. His favorite pastimes were refinishing furniture, attending auctions and playing cards. Bob and his wife Norma played at least three games of cribbage every day. On July 2, 1949 he was married to the former Norma E. Martin, who survives. Also surviving are his children: David (Marilyn) Darling of Marshall, Barbara (Marshall) Smith of Marshall, Robert (Anita) Darling of Albion and Sharon (Larry) Allwardt of Battle Creek; eleven grandchildren; seventeen great-grandchildren and one great-great-granddaughter; two brothers: Alton (Dorothy) Darling and Donald Darling both of Battle Creek; and many nieces and nephews. Bob was preceded in death by his parents; one daughter Kathleen Reniger and one brother Phillip Darling. He also had many dogs over the years of which he loved. The family will receive friends at the Richard A. Henry Funeral Home on Wednesday from 2:00 to 4:00 and 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Funeral services will be held 1:30 p.m. Thursday, April 21, 2016 at the funeral home with Rev. Kris Tarkiewicz of the Family Bible Church officiating. Interment will follow at Floral Lawn Memorial Gardens. The family requests that in lieu of flowers memorial contributions be given to LifeCare Ambulance Service or the Alzheimer’s Association. www.henryfuneralhome.org

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