Philip Lee Darche

Philip Lee Darche Jr., beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend, passed away suddenly at the age of 58. Born on April 9, 1968, in Oak Forest, Illinois, Phil was a man who embraced life with open arms and a generous spirit.

Phil was the cherished son of Elaine and Lee Darche, who predeceased him. He is survived by his devoted wife of 34 years, Jean Darche, with whom he built a loving family in Plainfield, Illinois. Together, they raised two wonderful children, Patrick and Kaitlin Darche, who were the pride and joy of his life. Philip was also the adoring grandfather of Shane Darche, whom he cherished deeply.

Family was at the heart of everything Phil did. He was a dedicated family man, known for his carefree, jokester personality, always ready with a helping hand or a kind word. His brother, Jeff Darche and brother-in-law Ed Gell, along with his nephews Christopher, Nathan, and Tim Darche, will fondly remember his outgoing nature and his endless supply of humorous stories. His father-in-law, Guy Gell, also held a special place in his heart.

Phil spent over 30 years working in the car business before transitioning to a fulfilling role at H&R Block. Beyond his professional life, he was an avid sports enthusiast, always cheering for the Cubs, Bulls, Bears, and Blackhawks. Phil's passion extended to music, particularly classic rock and country, with favorites like Toby Keith, Pink Floyd, Guns and Roses, and Queen. He was a lifelong fan of WWE and found joy in fantasy football, a hobby he had enjoyed since high school.

Phil was an animal lover at heart. He looked foward to spending time with his family pets. He cherished looked forward to fishing trips with his father and son, creating memories that will endure in the hearts of those who shared them.

He lived his life with an infectious personality, embodying the spirit of the song "Live Like You Were Dying" by Tim McGraw. His family shares this sentiment as a tribute to his adventurous spirit and generous heart: "I went skydiving, I went Rocky Mountain climbing, I went two point seven seconds on a bull named Fu Man Chu. And I loved deeper and I spoke sweeter. And I gave forgiveness I’d been denyin’. And he said, some day I hope you get the chance to live like you were dyin."

Visitation will be held at Andrew J. McGann & Sons Funeral Home, 10727 S Pulaski Rd, Chicago, IL on Sunday, September 13, 2026, from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm.

Funeral will be held on Monday, September 14, at 10:00 a.m. at Andrew J. McGann & Sons Funeral Home. Interment will follow at Chapel Hill Gardens South Funeral Home & Cemetery, 11333 S Central Ave, Oak Lawn, IL.