Darrel Lee Sims

Died 12/11/2021 at The Villa Senior Care Community, Sherman, Illinois. He was the son of Francis Lyle Sims and Nelle Etta Patterson Sims. He was preceded in death by his parents, brother Jack D Sims of Evans Georgia and brother in law, Stanley Stewart of Friendswood Texas, his first wife Mary Cedro Sims and his second wife Ruth Farber Sims.

He is survived by two daughters, Josie Cedro Sims (Bob) Ashcraft of Ely Nevada and Mary Ann Cedro Sims (John) Rifenbery of Longwood, Florida. Six grandchildren and several great-grandchildren. Step children, Diane Farber and Michael Farber of California and Patrick Farber of Idaho. Three sisters, Phyllis Stewart of Friendswood TX, Joan Boatz of Sherman IL and Nancy (Ralph) Wetzel of Livermore KY. Darrel grew up in Fayette County Illinois attending school in Brownstown Illinois. In 1946 at 17 he enlisted in the US Navy. After Basic Training at Great Lakes Naval Training Center, Company 250, he served on the following ships, Saidor, CVE 117; the Pirate AMS 275; the LSU 1086; the Mathews; the Prairie AC-15; and the Southerland DDR 743. He was then stationed at the San Diego Naval Training Center until 1956.

His service in the US Air Force began as soon as he separated from the Navy. During this time he was stationed at Paine AFB Everette Washington; Weisbaden Germany Air Police and Walker Air Force Base, Roswell New Mexico where he served as an MP for the missile silos . He ended his military service in September of 1966 and returned to rural Fayette County, Sefton township Illinois. There he raised rabbits, pigs and planted an orchard while working for the Illinois Department of Natural Resources Office in Vandalia until they returned to San Diego, CA.

After returning to California, he enjoyed volunteering at various places including Senior Gleaners, The Book Man, and National Park Service Point Loma but his two favorite places to volunteer were the San Diego Archaeological Center where he helped collect and organize displays and the Midway Aircraft Carrier where he volunteered over 8000 hours. The last five years he has resided in Springfield Illinois at Montvale Estates. Darrel didn’t know a stranger and enjoyed visiting with his many friends and family.

His ashes and Ruth’s ashes are at Camp Butler National Cemetery, Springfield IL.

Memorials may be made to the USS Midway Museum, c/o Laurie Switzer, 910 North Harbor Dr., San Diego, CA 92101 or to the San Diego Archaeological Center, c/o Cindy Stankowski, 16666 San Pasquel Valley Road, Escondito, CA 92027-7001