Darrel Wayne Kline

Darrel Wayne Kline, age 93, passed peacefully in Bloomington, Illinois on Oct. 3, 2025. He was born July 22, 1932, to Gwenith and Charlie Kline in Divernon, Illinois where he was raised with three older brothers, Chuck, John, and Bob. As a boy, a lot of time was spent in activities involving the creek behind his parents' home - swimming and ice skating - with friends for literally a lifetime, including Howard "Nip" Hay and Roger Fenstermaker. As adults they were all together many, many times, including high school reunions, the last being for Darrel's 90th birthday. Additionally, Darrel enjoyed working with, and later traveling extensively with, his good friend, Karl Meurlot.

He married Norma Hackard in their hometown church in 1953. They loved musicals and ballroom dancing. He graduated from the University of Illinois with a degree in Marketing where he became a lifelong Illini basketball fan. He was drafted into the U.S. Army and served two years 1954-1956.

Darrel and Norma raised their 4 children in Decatur, Illinois where Darrel worked for General Electric. He completed his master’s degree in education administration and worked in finance for the public school districts of Decatur, Elmhurst, Bloomington, and LaGrange, before retiring in Bloomington at the age of 59.

Darrel will be remembered by his children for his quick wit, love of Illini basketball, boating & water skiing on weekends, woodworking, building a large garage/woodworking shop with recycled lumber, and being able to fix nearly anything. He will be remembered by his grandchildren for swinging them on the amazing tire swing in their backyard.

In addition to his parents and brothers, Darrel was predeceased by a grandson, T.J. Merz, and by his wife, Norma, after 65 years of marriage. Surviving, are their 4 children: Deborah Kline (Mark Behrens); Darrel Kline, II (Maggie); Nancy Mitchell (Jim); Jane Underwood (Don); 9 grandchildren: Jamie Noirfalise (Ryan), Lindy Nahn (Mike), Laurel Meke (Mari), Amy Mitchell (Garrett Phillips), Everett Behrens, Jaclyn Kline (Theresa Reedy), Whitaker Behrens, Kristi Roberts (Bo), and Sarah Lively (Hunter); and 10 great-grandchildren. In addition to family, Darrel & Norma had an amazing supportive community with very special friends, neighbors, and in- home caregivers which made it possible for Darrel to stay in his own home until age 91. The family is also grateful for the care Darrel received from the passionate and devoted staff at Luther Oaks Memory Care in addition to loyal loving caregivers who continued with Darrel after relocation.

Darrel and Norma were members of Wesley United Methodist Church in Bloomington.
A visitation will be held Monday, October 6 at 11:00 am at Wesley United Methodist Church with funeral service at 12:00 pm. His graveside service will be 3:30 PM, Monday, October 6, 2025, at Brush Creek Cemetery. Funeral arrangements by Calvert & Metzler Memorial Home, 1115 E. Washington Street, Bloomington, IL 61701.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Faith in Action of Bloomington Normal (bnfia.org), Kindermusik (musicconnections.org/donate/).

Please view the obituary and share your condolences and memories online at www.calvertmemorial.com