He was born on September 27, 1942 in Moulton to E.E. and Josephine (Simper) Darilek.
On February 1, 1964, he married his high school sweetheart, Marian Martha Krejci. He is survived by his wife of 57 years, his children, Michelle Herman (Brian), Brian Darilek (Heather), Nicole Kubenka (Brian), Clinton Darilek (Eddi), and Wyatt Darilek (Brittania). He is also survived by 11 grandchildren, Christopher
(Kelsie), Matthew, & Emma Herman, Gage & Slaid Darilek, Kayla & Lauryn Kubenka, Ian & Ryder Darilek, & Kamryn & Talan Darilek.
He served in the US Army as a Specialist in the Vietnam War as a gunner and tank driver in the 69th Armor 4th Infantry Division. He was honorably discharged with a Purple Heart and Bronze Star with "V" Device on August 25, 1968.
When Ben returned from the Service in 1968, they began their family while he worked at Kaspar Wire Works in Shiner during the day and barbered in the evenings. Then in 1977, he built laying hen houses where it became a family business. As his family grew and started getting married, he and several friends began catering for each other's kid's weddings to help save money. He continued catering while still working at Kaspar's, where he retired in 2013. His catering service became a thriving business, known as Country Cooks, until 2017.
He was a member of the St. Joseph Catholic Church, the Knights of Columbus, the American Legion and the VFW.
Ben is preceded in death by his parents, his brother, Joe Darilek, his sister, Corrine (Darilek) Jiral; as well as his youngest son, Bradley E. Darilek.
Visitation for Ben will begin at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 10, 2021 with a Rosary following at 6:30 p.m. Funeral service will be held Thursday, March 11, 2021 at 10:00 a.m. All services will be held at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Moulton. Burial will follow at St. Joseph's Catholic Cemetery under the direction of Smith Funeral Home.
Pallbearers are Christopher Herman, Matthew Herman, Gage Darilek, Slaid Darilek, Ian Darilek, Ryder Darilek and Talan Darilek, all grandsons of Ben.
Words of comfort can be sent to the family at www.smithfuneralhomemoulton.com
Smith Funeral Home – 404 West Bobkat Drive, Moulton, Tx 77975 Phone 361-596-4631
