Rodell Richard “Rodie” Darling

Rodell Richard “Rodie” Darling

Rodell Richard “Rodie” Darling, age 96, a resident of Fort Scott, passed away on Monday, March 13, 2023 at Via Christi Hospital in Pittsburg, Kan.

Rodell was born on Oct. 25, 1926 in Fort Scott, the son of Reid and Olive Dorn Darling. He attended the Fort School system and was a U.S. Army veteran during World War II. After serving in the Philippines following the Japanese surrender, Rodell was honorably discharged from the Army in 1946. He then returned to Fort Scott and began his life anew. He was married to Mary Elizabeth McKee in Uniontown, Kan., on April 29, 1950, and they became lifelong companions.

Rodell worked at several jobs in and around Fort Scott during his life, but the one for which he was most well known was that of being a serviceman for the Gas Service Company; a job that he very much enjoyed having for 33 years before retiring in 1989.

In earlier years, Rodell was an avid outdoorsman. He enjoyed fishing as well as hunting quail and squirrels and even the occasional prairie chicken. Beginning in the mid-1970s he and Mary became accomplished square dancers and participated extensively as members of the Iza Stompers Square Dance Club. Over the years he also liked to walk throughout Fort Scott; something for which he is still remembered by some. Like his wife Mary, Rodell’s biggest joy in life was his family.

Survivors include his son, Rodell Clay Darling (Virginia); two grandchildren, Linden Reid Collins (Austin) of Dallas, and Elizabeth Hope Darling (Ryan) of Pittsburg; and three great grandchildren, Eden Darling of Pittsburg, Ruby Darling Collins and Reid Yeager Collins, also of Dallas, and many nieces and nephews. Rodell was preceded in death by his daughter, Linda Sue Collins, his sister, Vivian Lugliani, and his brother, Wallace Darling.

Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday, March 21, at the Cheney Witt Chapel. Burial will follow in the U.S. National Cemetery. Memorials are suggested to Paws & Claws Animal Shelter and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main, P.O. Box 347, Fort Scott, KS 66701. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.