Born March 19, 1939 in Mapleton to Carl and Clara (Parkin) Chitwood, he married Carolyn Ann Hayes on September 4, 1957 in Petersburg. She died April 28, 2009 in Peoria.
He also was preceded in death by his parents; one brother, Thomas 'Junior' Chitwood; two sisters, Donna Patterson and Darlene Patterson; and nieces, Dianne Barker and Cris Koehlhoeffer.
Surviving are one son, Rob (Stefanie) Chitwood of Pekin; two daughters, Dee Dee (Mark) Leaver and Lori (Steve) Colyer, both of Pekin; eight grandchildren, Ryne (Jenn) Leaver of St. Paul, Minnesota, Clarissa Lynn of Pekin, Jenna (Jack Watkins) Leaver of Green Valley, Melissa Olsen of Tremont, Chelsea (Danny) Cox of Pekin, Abbey (Anthony) Denham of Washington, Taylor (Aaron) King of Morton and Morgan (Michael) Tuttle of Cerro Gordo; seventeen great-grandchildren, Melodee Olsen, Braedon Lynn, Trevor Tisdale, Jaxon Olsen, Jordan Cox, Aiden Tisdale, Parker Cox, Amirah Olsen, Lucas Elliott, Camila Tisdale, Aleena Tisdale, Addisyn Denham, Charlotte King, Jacks Denham, Lakelyn King, Luke Tuttle, and Jones Leaver and his dear friends, Tom and Sandy Tincher of Groveland.
Darrell last worked and retired from Pekin Hospital, where he worked 18 years as a courier. He continued in retirement as a volunteer escort and was proud to have attained his 1,000 hour pin.
He loved spending time with his kids and grandkids, enjoyed watching football and also bowling and fishing in earlier years.
His memorial service will be at 1:30 p.m. Friday, August 21, 2026 at Preston-Hanley Funeral Homes & Crematory in Pekin. Chip Allenbaugh and Tom Tincher will officiate. Visitation will be one hour before the service. Inurnment will follow in Glendale Memorial Gardens in Pekin.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, 225 North Michigan Avenue, Floor 17, Chicago, IL 60601.
The family would like to thank the staff at Reflections and Vitas Hospice for their excellent care.
To express condolences online, visit www.Preston-Hanley.com
