Edwin Richard Darr

Ed Darr peacefully left his earthly home to dwell in his heavenly home on Sunday March 7, 2010. Ed's life began on September 28, 1927 in Dowagiac, the son of Louis and Katie (Hein) Darr. He was a graduate of Dowagiac Central High School. Ed's family spoke German in their home and he was fluent in their native tongue. Ed served his country during World War II in the United States Navy as a Fireman Second Class. He was united to the former Elinor Ireland on September 30, 1950 in South Haven, MI. Ed was the founder and operator of Darr Sales and Service in Dowagiac. He was a contractor for commercial refrigeration, air conditioning and heating, along with household appliances and TV's from 1947 to 1962. In 1962, he founded Darr and Associates, Inc. which has served the hearing impaired of northern Indiana and southwest Michigan to this day. He was a member of St. John's Lutheran Church, an active member of the Dowagiac Conservation Club, and the International Hearing Aid Association. Recently, Ed was the driving force behind the restoration of the Ivan Kincheloe monument in rural Cassopolis, the founder of Dowagiac's Arbor Day and the reason Dowagiac has the Tree City USA designation. He loved Dowagiac and worked tirelessly to improve the community. He was politically active and a longtime Republican. Ed was pictured handing an elephant mug to Ronald Reagan, a gift that the former president got a real kick out of. His loving family includes his wife of 59 years Elinor Darr of Dowagiac, his daughter Diana (Harold) Walker of Hartford, grandchildren Brent, Kevin and Erin Walker, brothers Leon (Mary) Darr, Don (Janice) Darr, and Richard (Rona) Darr, all of Dowagiac, and several nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents, a sister Irene Seibel and a brother Harold Darr. His family will gather with friends on Tuesday from 5-8 p.m. at Yazel & Clark Chapel. His funeral service will be held on Wednesday at 11 a.m. at St. John's Lutheran Church led by Pastor Jeffrey Weber. Ed will be laid to rest with military honors at Riverside Cemetery, Dowagiac. Memorial contributions in his name may be directed to Hospice Care of Southwest Michigan or St. John's Lutheran Church. Please sign his guestbook and leave a memory of Ed at www.yazel-clark.com