Darrell Dean Crall

Now I lay me down to sleep…in my last Foxhole. I will no longer flash back to Vietnam when the jets from Grayling fly low…no longer have to be sedated in order to avoid the terror that comes with sleep. I am now at peace as I close my eyes for the last time. Finally…I am at peace.

Darrell Dean Crall, 74, of Rose City, Michigan, passed away peacefully on Thursday, March 11, 2021 with his beloved wife and family by his side. Darrell was born on September 3, 1946, in Midland, Michigan. Many know him by one of these cherished monikers: Darrell, Dad, Wally, Butch, Butchie Boy, Boozer, Crally, Lo Crall, The Geezer, Papa, Grandpa Crall. Whatever you called him, he always responded with his big, dimpled smile and hearty laugh.

Darrell was the 7th child of the Maurice and Dorothy (Tucker) Crall Family. The last of many children, he was raised as an only child as his brothers and sisters were much older than him. His parents were both very tired by the time Darrell came around.

At a young age, he developed a strong work ethic and independence. At only 11 years old, Darrell obtained his first job at Dow Chemical operating the vending table for the employees. By 16, he had attended his first computer school and although everyone in the room was old enough to be his parents; he had found his niche as a programmer. He enjoyed an exciting career until he retired in 2009.

Darrell married at 18 and had a son, Anthony Dean. Anthony later followed Darrell’s path by serving his country as well as a career in programming.

In 1968, Darrell enlisted in the Army and volunteered for Vietnam. His entire unit shipped over together, 1/61, 5th Division, 68-69. It was a real-life changer for a boy from Midland, Michigan.

When he returned from Vietnam, he settled in Frankenmuth with his second wife while working at Frankenmuth Mutual Insurance. They had three beautiful daughters, Amy Heather, Jennifer Noel, and Angela Marie. Amy wrangles four daughters while being a director of the food program at Trinity Lutheran School as well as helping with their family farm, Jennifer is an Assistant Principal at Mark Twain School in Chicago, and Angela, mother of two, is a middle school teacher in St. Helen at Charlton Heston Academy, he was so proud of all of them.

In 1984, Darrell moved to California and met Sharon, giving him two more beautiful daughters, Yolonda Yvonne and Sabrina Sri from her first marriage. Yolonda works in the construction field and Sabrina is a retired Monterey County Sheriff’s Deputy.

Over the years, he enjoyed watching his grandchildren compete with their calves and pigs at the fair, playing baseball and soccer, and earning black belts in Taekwondo. He was able to watch one of his granddaughters compete in the National Taekwondo Competition in Detroit which was a once in a lifetime event. Darrell also found joy in hunting with family members including watching his wife bag her first turkey. Being introduced to Cubs baseball late in life soon became an annual event with two of his daughters. The numerous law enforcement ride-a-longs he took with one of his daughters was frightening yet exhilarating. He also enjoyed watching one of his daughters build homes in Los Angeles, a true visionary. His first visit to The Vietnam Wall in Washington, D.C. was with his veteran son, a day he cherished. In retirement, he found great pleasure traveling all over our great country with his wife. His only regret was that he did not do more of it.

Darrell is survived by his loving wife and best friend of 34 years, Sharon Crall of Rose City; his children, Anthony (Widya) Dauer, Annandale, VA, Amy (Mark) Wendland, Reese, MI, Jennifer Crall, Chicago, IL, Angela Cichowski, Roscommon, MI, Yolonda Hawkins, Las Vegas, NV, and Sabrina (Robin) Nowak, Marina, CA; grandchildren, Grace, Lily, Emma, and Sophia Wendland, Savannah and Dylan Cichowski, Sibyl and Jonah Dauer, Tesha, Ethan, and Sharon Nowak, and Aiden Hawkins Kasap; siblings, Maurice Crall, Jr, Dale Crall, Darlene Schuff, and Nancy (Keith) Bauerle and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

He will be missed by his close friends Buzz Gunerson, Ken and Rose Tanner, and Rolinda Christman.

Darrell was predeceased by his parents, his infant siblings, Karen and Sally Crall, and his sisters-in law, Jan Crall and June Crall.

The Crall Family would like to extend a special thank you to the Villa of Rose City and Heartland Hospice of West Branch for the amazing care they gave Darrell.

A memorial visitation will be held at Steuernol McLaren Funeral Home in Rose City, MI on Saturday, March 13, 2021 from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Visitation will be held with precautions, due to the current pandemic, limiting the number of attendees at a given time.

Darrell will be laid to rest with full military honors at The Great Lakes National Cemetery in Holly, MI at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial gift to the American Legion or Heartland Hospice of West Branch.

Online condolences can be shared at www.steuernolmclaren.com