Darrell Stone
Darrell T. Stone, 77, of Waukon died Sunday, August 25, 2024, at his home in Waukon. Funeral services will be held Thursday, August 29 at 11 a.m. at Martin-Grau Funeral Home with Chaplain Patrick Malanaphy officiating, and burial will be at Oakland Cemetery, both in Waukon. Friends may greet the family from 10 a.m. until the time of services Thursday at the funeral home.
Darrell Thomas Stone was born June 24, 1947, in Waukon, the son of Thomas and Alice (Steffenson) Stone. When Darrell was born, Alice had to send his dad a telegram about the birth since Tom was stationed on the USS Nereus AS 17 Care Flo. Darrell was baptized and confirmed at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Waukon and graduated from Waukon High School in 1966, where he was active in many sports.
While in high school, he worked on Calvin Shindoll’s turkey farm, did chores for Milton Hove in Decorah and also trapped beavers for area farmers. Darrell joined the United States Army, proudly serving from 1966-1969, and was stationed in Korea for 19 months as part of the 260th MP Company, Sentry Dog Platoon, training dogs to go into holes before military personnel. Darrell also served in the Army Reserves in Company B, 389 Engineers out of Decorah.
March 14, 1970, he married Jean Winters at St. John’s Lutheran Church. Darrell was a policeman for over 30 years for the Waukon Police Department and did tactical training for Waukon and Des Moines area law enforcement. He owned and operated Phillips 66 Station in Waukon for two years and worked at Northern Engraving in Waukon as well.
Darrell was a member of the VFW. An avid outdoorsman, he loved trapping, fishing, hunting, boating, and camping. Before his health declined, he enjoyed working in the garden in his spare time too. Darrell’s greatest joy was spending time with his family and playing UNO with his sons and grandchildren.
Survivors include his wife, Jean Stone of Waukon; his sons: Jeremy Stone of Waukon, Eric (Casey) Stone of Elgin, and Mark (Nickcole) Stone of Lansing; a stepdaughter, Kristina (Scott) Hoewing of Waterloo; nine grandchildren: Dillion (Emily) Stone, Kourtney (Diego) Velarde, Mason (Sarah) Stone, Anjela (Jacob) Waterman, Brady Foster, Shaelyn and Abbey Stevlingson, Kyle (Kat) Millizer, and Ryan (Asia) Millizer; seven great-grandchildren: Jace, Olivia, Kasen, Tate, Lukas, and Raven Stone, and Collins Velarde; and his siblings: Wayne (Nona) Stone of Decorah, Rita (Steve) Kunkle of Fredericksburg, Tim (Wendy) Stone of Anamosa, and Lori Becker of New Hampton.
Darrell was preceded in death by his parents and three sisters: Kathryn Giese, Linda Gerleman, and Mary Stone.
His family would like to thank: St. Croix Hospice for the care they gave him as they became family over the last five years, Jean’s nieces, Kate, Kim, and Darcy, for Darrell’s care while she was recovering from surgery, and finally, the family wants to give a big thank you to Margie and Ray Burroughs for all that they have helped Jean with over the years.
Honorary casketbearers are Ray and Margie Burroughs, Kourtney Velarde and Mason Stone. Casketbearers are Dillion, Darby, and Lawrence Stone, Justin Gerleman, Tyler Becker, and Diego Velarde.
Online condolences may be left at www.martinfunerals.com.
