Willard Darbee

Willard N. Darbee of Cleaver Rd., Caro, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, April 22, 2008 at Hills & Dales General Hospital in Cass City at age 85. He was born on January 19, 1923 in Caro to the late Fred and Helen (Luedeman) Darbee and was a lifelong resident of Almer Township in Tuscola County. He was a 1941 graduate of Caro High School and went to work at the Michigan Sugar Company until his induction into the Army on April 20, 1945. He served his country in Japan until being discharged on October 8, 1946 at which time he returned to work at Michigan Sugar and stayed until his retirement in 1988. On June 3, 1950 Willard Darbee and the former Alma Palmateer were married in Caro. He was a devout family man and enjoyed woodworking, gardening, and spending time at his cabin in Oscoda, Michigan. He is survived by his wife, Alma; two daughters and their spouses, Karen and Terry Barrons and Kay and Gene Weis, all of Caro; two grandchildren, Jeff (Julia) Barrons of Caro and Christina (Brian) Feldman of Saginaw; one great-granddaughter, Katelynn Barrons of Caro; one brother, Raymond Darbee of Mc Henry, Illinois; as well as two nieces, two great-nephews and one great-great-nephew. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by three brothers, Harold in 1945 (WWII), Frederick in 1958 and Donald in 1991. The funeral service will be held at First Baptist Church of Caro on Friday, April 25, 2008 at 11:00 a.m. with Pastor Ronald Wigand officiating. Burial will be at Almer Township Cemetery. Visitation will be at the Collon Funeral Home on Thursday from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. and at the church on Friday from 10:00 a.m. until time of service at 11:00 a.m. Memorials may be made to First Baptist Church Building Fund.