Kimberly Beth Hayes Darnell

Kimberly Beth Darnell, 50, passed away peacefully at her residence on Wednesday, July 12, 2017. Beloved daughter of Bobby Ray and Doris A. (nee Walker) Hayes. Beloved mother of the late Andrew Michael Darnell. Adoring fiancee of Dwaine Hermann. Sister of Sherry Haykel and sister-in-law of Kris Haykel. Loving aunt to Carrie Oyarzabal, Rebecca Cohen, Kurt Balmer, Jr., Logan Haykel and the late Jeremy Andrew Haykel, Megan Lela Haykel, Olivia Nadine Haykel and great aunt to Sydney Halbach, Caitlin Balmer, Mary Cohen, Annie Cohen, Victor Oyarzabal, Chiara Klein and Sophia Balmer.

While some would say Kimberly had a short life, those who knew her would agree she had a zest for life, was full of life and had a very full life. Knowing both joys and pain, Kimberly did not let her circumstances determine how she would live. Learning she had MS around the time of the birth of Andrew, she was determined not to let the disease control every aspect of her life.

She was a graduate of St. Louis University with a BA in history. Around this time she joined the Catholic Church. She later became a member at Immaculate Conception Church in Arnold. With the birth of Andrew, as he went to school, she became very devoted to Holy Child School and the Boy Scouts. She remained supportive of both organizations even after Andrew passed away.

Kimberly had what some might consider an unusual passion for visiting cemeteries and studying the lives and history of those laid to rest there. In fact it was such a passion she and her family traveled the country visiting cemeteries. There were many cemeteries in the St. Louis area as well as other areas where she could have been a docent reeling of the stories and histories of those laid to rest.

A visitation will be held on Sunday, July 16, 2017, 2:00-8:00 pm at Heiligtag-Lang-Fendler Funeral Home, 1081 Jeffco Blvd., Arnold, Mo. 63010. The funeral service will be conducted on Monday, July 17, 2017, 10:00 am at Immaculate Conception Church, 2300 Church Road, Arnold, Mo. Interment will immediately follow at Immaculate Conception Church Cemetery, Arnold, Mo. In lieu of flowers, contributions to the National MS Society-Gateway Chapter, 12125 Woodcrest Executive Dr., Suite 320, St. Louis, Mo. 63141 appreciated.

Arrangements under the direction of Heiligtag-Lang-Fendler Funeral Home, Arnold, MO.