Darrell Peters

On Saturday, June 13, 2020, Darrell Levin Peters passed away after a battle with cancer. He was 69.  Funeral services will be held Tuesday, June 23 at 10:30 a.m. at Mitchell Family Funeral Home, with a visitation one hour before the service. The service will be livestreamed on the funeral home Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/Mitchell-Family-Funeral-Home-99280714047/ . For more information, visit www.mitchellfh.com or call (641) 844-1234. Memorial donations can be made here: https://www.gofundme.com/f/darrellpeters Darrell spent most of his life in Eldora, Iowa and was renowned for his long walks to Pine Lake State Park, his incandescent smile, and an impossibly contagious laugh. He was the best brother, dad, grandpa, and friend anyone could ask for.  As a teenager, Darrell played an invaluable role in supporting his mother Faye while helping to raise six brothers and sisters after his father died. They didn’t have much, but they loved each other and never stopped finding reasons to smile and laugh together.  Darrell fell in love with Frances Cole in high school, but was drafted in 1970 and subsequently served in the Army. He never missed a chance to write Frances  while serving in Germany and she still has the letters he sent.  When he returned to the U.S., Darrell and Frances were married in 1972 and had four daughters. Darrell was known for being a supportive, thoughtful father. Darrell’s love for his daughters was evident as he attended their high school events and everyone could hear his boisterous cheers during track or cross country meets. He enthusiastically watched their favorite movies, learned their favorite games, and regularly danced and sang just to make them giggle.  Darrell’s favorite things were gigantic heaps of vanilla ice cream, watching old Westerns, and listening to his favorite Johnny Cash, Kenny Rogers, and Elvis songs (very loudly). Darrell also found immense happiness spending time with his three grandsons.  Darrell worked as a machinist for more than 35 years at Dayco and then Fisher Controls. Even after long days at the factory, he always made time for his family. Darrell was a devout Christian that led by example. He volunteered with the Royal Rangers at the Eldora Assembly of God and, more recently, was a member of the Great Commission Church in Marshalltown.  Later in life, he continued to support his whole family any way he could and spent countless hours with his brother-in-law cruising Iowa roads visiting veterans memorials.  Needless to say, Darrell’s personality was as big as the bowls of ice cream he enjoyed and he will be dearly missed.  Left to cherish his memory is his loving wife Frances; his children Sharon (Steve Schmitt) of Holland, IA, Lindsey (Joshua) Johnson of Bloomington, MN, Ashley Peters (Phil Carson) of Minneapolis, MN and Tiffany (Colton) Balvanz of Rock Island, IL; grandchildren Jordan, Michael and Tyler Krull; Siblings William (Jane) Peters of Alden, Faye Nederhoff of Ackley, Daniel (Sue) Peters of Osceola, Marie (Mike) Bachman of Osage and Gladys Keipper of Van Wert, OH; sister-in-law Denise Peters of Eldora; brother-in-law Harry Cole of Ankeny; and many nieces and nephews.  Welcoming him into heaven were his parents, brother Lester, brother Duncan in infancy, sister Verna in infancy, and brothers-in-law Don Nederhoff and Colin Keipper. Lovingly written by his daughter, Ashley Peters