Darlene Marcella Wilson

Darlene Marcella Wilson, age 80, of Centerville, Ohio, passed away on December 6, 2025, in Miamisburg, Ohio. She was born in Dayton on September 21, 1945, to the late Roscoe A. and Jessamine E. (Trumbo) Wilson, and she lived her entire life in the Centerville and Dayton area.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her son, Roderick N. Pooler (2018); and her brothers, Robert Dwight Wilson and David Lawrence Wilson.

Darlene is survived by her daughter, Marcy J. Gunn, Psy.D., as well as several nieces, nephews, extended family members, and dear friends who will miss her warmth, sense of humor, recollections of many family memories, and quiet devotion.

Darlene was a woman whose life was anchored in love for her family and her community. Due to the struggles they experienced getting educational, therapeutic and other supports for their young son, Roderick, who was diagnosed with severe autism in the late 1960’s, she and his father, along with other parents, helped start the Dayton Area Society for Autistic Children, a contribution that touched many families throughout the community.

Immediately after high school, Darlene attended cosmetology school and later on expanded her skills by taking word processing classes and other vocational training. She had a lifelong curiosity for her family’s story, and her genealogy became a passion of hers. She spent countless hours reading—especially biographies of historical figures and books she collected about the history of Dayton, Centerville, and the surrounding region—always eager to understand the people, places, and culture that shaped her family and neighbors. Many of her happiest moments over the years included attending family reunions.

Darlene was also fascinated by learning about various religions and she also had an extensive collection of books on the history and understanding of Christianity in particular. Over the course of her life she attended several churches, and from childhood was a longtime member at Centerville United Methodist Church, then in later years she attended Bellbrook Presbyterian Church.

Darlene loved animals and was also a loving “parent” to several dogs and cats over the course of her life.

A memorial service to celebrate Darlene’s life will be held on Saturday, January 10, 2026, at the Anderson Family Celebration of Life Center, 360 Commerce Center Drive (behind Anderson Funeral Home). The family will receive visitors from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. At 3:00 p.m., all who wish to share personal tributes or special memories of Darlene will be invited to speak.

In lieu of flowers, please make contributions in her memory to the Dayton Autism Society or to SICSA Pet Adoption & Wellness Center.