Michael LeMar Darland

Michael LeMar Darland

Estero, Florida

Michael LeMar Darland of Estero, Florida passed away from congestive heart failure surrounded by his family on February 26, 2024. He was born on March 31, 1943 in Minneapolis, Minnesota the son of Jack LeMarr Darland Sr. and Marguerite “Peggy” Young (Prichard) Darland. He attended schools in Oelwein and later in Mt. Pleasant, Iowa where he graduated from high school in 1962. After graduation, he attended Iowa Wesleyan College in Mt. Pleasant and Ellsworth Community College in Iowa Falls, Iowa before joining the U.S. Navy in 1965. While stationed at Point Mugu Naval Air Station in Oxnard California, he met the love of his life, Barbara Ardell Bell. After discharge from the Navy in 1969 the couple were married in Waterloo, Iowa on September 27, 1969. The couple lived in Dubuque, Iowa for a time before purchasing Hickory Grove Country Club in Oelwein, Iowa in November of 1974. They owned and operated their business until selling it in 2004. Their marriage was blessed with three children: Jason Michael Darland, Thomas Wayne Darland, and Jacklyn Michelle “Jacci” Darland.

Mike was gifted athletically; he lettered in football, basketball and golf while in high school. He was particularly outstanding in golf. While playing for Mt. Pleasant High School, he carded an albatross - a hole-in-one on a par 4 hole. He later qualified for the Junior College National Golf Tournament as a member of the Ellsworth Community College golf team.

Mike really enjoyed the golf and restaurant business in Oelwein, he was a tremendous organizer and a great host. He was long an active member of the Iowa Restaurant Association and served on the Board of Directors during 1979 and 1980.

Mike had a great sense of humor and never failed to bring smiles and laughs to any and all. He was a tireless worker - up early and worked late - yet also found time to enjoy playing golf, family time and regularly met with the, “coffee club” in downtown Oelwein.

He had longtime memberships with the American Legion in both Oelwein and Punta Gorda, Florida, the Elks Lodge also of Punta Gorda, the Iowa Golf Association and the Iowa Golf Course Superintendents Association.

Preceded in death by his grandparents, Harry Robert Prichard, Elsie Mae (Young) Prichard, George Farrell Darland and Erma Hazel (Jones) Darland, his parents, one nephew Kyle Patrick Darland, and one brother George Harry Darland.

Survived by his wife, his children and grandchildren, Kylinne Olivia Meyers, Addilyn Jo Meyers and Michael John Darland, one uncle, William Farrell (Nancy) Darland of Town and Country, Missouri, one sister Polly Prichard (David) Suntken of Clear Lake, Iowa, three brothers, Timothy Richard Darland (Marilyn) of Independence, Iowa, Jack LeMarr Darland, Jr. of Del Valle, Texas, and Patrick Daniel Darland of Cresco, Iowa, one brother in law, Robert Michael "Mike" (Barbara) Bell, of Durango, Colorado, as well as numerous cousins, nephews and nieces.

A Celebration of Life will be held at the Oelwein American Legion in Oelwein, Iowa on June 8, from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. with inurnment following at the Oak Lawn cemetery in Cresco, Iowa.