Darrell Keith Weaverling

Darrell Keith Weaverling, 94, went home to Glory on Sunday, August 23, 2026. He was one of seven children born to Arch and Vera Weaverling and was born on October 6 or 12, 1931 (that’s a story for another time) in Hunter, Kansas. He graduated from Mankato High School in 1952 and served in the Army during the Korean Conflict until 1954. He attained the rank of Sergeant and was a direction finder in the 49th Field Artillery. While bombarding a target for 24 hours straight, Darrell lost most of his hearing due to nerve damage. He was awarded the United Nations Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal, and the Korean Service Medal with 2 Bronze Stars.

Darrell married Shirley Lou Wilsman on July 11, 1954. He first saw her when she moved to Mankato and he loved to tell the story that after he laid eyes on her through the door of the 8th grade classroom, he told all of the high school boys, “She’s mine!” Darrell enrolled at Kansas State University on the GI Bill and they moved to Manhattan where he worked at Western Auto. They later moved to Topeka in 1960 and he took a job with Sears, Roebuck, & Co. He was a great salesman, and spent the next 30 years providing folks with their televisions and stereos. Darrell also had an early morning paper route for over 20 years, faithfully rising at 3:00 am and heading down to pick up his allotment of Topeka Capitol-Journal newspapers.

Darrell was a member of West Side Baptist Church for many years and later at Wanamaker Woods Church of the Nazarene. His closest friendships were formed from his church family. Darrell and Shirley took many wonderful trips with these friends and enjoyed a monthly dinner bridge club for years. He was a great bridge player, always looking to bid a slam. He also enjoyed playing golf and tennis. In his youth, he was a basketball star at Mankato High.

Darrell was a faithful husband, devoted father, and diligent provider. He was a wonderful story teller with a delightful sense of humor. He was a great role model to his family and will be sorely missed.

Darrell was predeceased by his wife Shirley, his parents, Arch and Vera, and his siblings: Betty Walker, Lois Hill, Robert Weaverling, Norma Beasley, Rex Weaverling, and Joyce Ann Weaverling. He was also predeceased by his granddaughter Amanda Olinger, grandson Noah Swickard, and his son-in-law Jeffrey Powell. He is survived by a myriad of nieces and nephews whom he loved dearly.

Darrell and Shirley have 3 children: Tamara (Jeff) Powell, Kurt (Melissa) Weaverling, and Amy (Mike) Swickard. They have 16 grandchildren: Josh (Emily) Powell, Jaymie (Casey) Moore, Jenna (Jonathan) Runyan, Joy (Billy) Davenport, Jeriel (Keith) Fine, Joanna (Joshua) Powell, Abby (Mike) Peoples, Faith Birtell, Caleb Powell, Amanda (Austin) Olinger, Savanah (Brandon) Weaverling, Garrett (Olivia) Swickard, Andrew Swickard, Sarah (Giovann) Thorne, Rachel (Tristan) Webb, and Noah Keith Swickard. They currently have 32 great-grandchildren: Halleigh, Hayden, and Hunter Powell; Clara, Jackson, and Miriam Moore; Emma, Thomas, Luke, Simon, Judah, and Josephine Runyan; Liam, Colton, Marshall, Sawyer, and Grayson Darrell Davenport; Charley, Paisley, Wesley, and Jeffrey Fine; Ellie, Ivy, Gideon, and Madison Powell; Milo and Jonah Peoples; Wyatt and Claire Olinger; Amelia Thorne; Harper and Whitley Webb.

Darrell trusted in Christ and is now enjoying his eternal reward with the love of his life, Shirley. Even as he aged and lost most of his sight, as well as his hearing, he did not complain and assured his children that he was fine, had no pain, and that the folks at Legend at Capital Ridge always treated him well. He had a great sense of humor, loved his K-State Wildcats as well as the KC Chiefs and KC Royals.

There will be a celebration of Darrell and Shirley’s lives at a later date.

Gifts in Darrell’s memory may be made to Disabled American Veterans, 9111 E Douglas, Suite 200, Room 210, Wichita, KS 67207.