Myra Yvonne Darling

Yvonne Darling, 95, of Elmore, OH, died Tuesday, April 11, 2017 at Mercy- St. Charles Hospital, Oregon, OH. Born in Dyer, Arkansas, October 31, 1921, Myra Yvonne Nelson Darling grew up in Fort Smith, Arkansas, graduating from Alma Consolidated High School in 1939 and Fort Smith Junior College in 1942. While attending college, she worked at area businesses, eventually achieving the position of secretary to the Division Auditor of the Arkansas Division of the Oklahoma Gas & Electric Company located at Fort Smith. Since those early years growing up in Arkansas, Yvonne has lived by advice given to her by a strong, supportive extended family, "It doesn't matter what you are, what matters is, did you make a difference!" During those difficult years of World War II, Yvonne began her lifelong journey of "making a difference." She not only worked and attended school, but also did her part to support the war effort. She trained as a Red Cross nurse's aide and then volunteered 500 hours of her time in the children's ward at a hospital in Fort Smith. When her fianc, James Darling, returned from the war, Yvonne and he married September 8, 1945 at St. Paul Trinity United Methodist Church in Elmore, Ohio. For 65 years, Yvonne had been an integral part of the church where she began her married life. For more than 50 years, she taught Sunday school, served as Bible School coordinator and teacher, and held nearly every office in the United Methodist Women organization. In 2001, the Education Committee presented her with the "Excellence in Leadership" award for her service as a teacher in the Sunday School Program. In 2006, the United Methodist Women awarded her "Special Mission Recognition" for her tireless efforts on behalf of women, children, and youth. While St. Paul Trinity United Methodist Church was central to her life from her first days in Elmore, Yvonne also took an immediate role in the civic and social life of Elmore, Ohio, the community that was now her home. She served in nearly every office of the American Legion Auxiliary and currently served as chaplain and Girls Buckeye State Chairman, which supports and encourages civic education among high school students. Additionally, she served as the Chair of Americanism for the American Legion Post 279. In 2007, she was recognized as "Patriot of the Year" by Help Hospitalized Veterans, USA for her kindness, thoughtfulness, caring, and generosity toward charitable causes. And a patriot she was! In a Letter to the Editor, Yvonne wrote on Memorial Day 2004, Come on people, get that lump in your throat, puff your chest out, take that hat off, put your hand over your heart, proudly watch our flag go by, as we honor those that have given so much for our freedom and pray for those in the service today. This is the greatest country in the world! As the wife of a World War II and Korean War veteran, Yvonne fully understands the sacrifices America's service men and women have and continue to make for the freedom of all Americans. She was a charter member of the Elmore, Ohio sorority Delta Chi, Yvonne herself then sponsored a sorority chapter, Epsilon Eta, in the neighboring community of Oak Harbor, Ohio. Devoted to history and genealogy, Yvonne was a longstanding member and supporter of Elmore Historical Society. And, for more than 25 years, Yvonne was a member of the Elmore Study Club. Once again demonstrating her leadership and commitment to her community, she served as an officer in every position of the organization. Her efforts have helped expand the knowledge of its members through a variety of literary efforts. As a wife and a mother to two children, Jack and Jane, Yvonne also worked for five years as a stenographer to the Chief Engineer of the Closure and Plastics Divisions of Owens Illinois Glass Company in Toledo, Ohio. From 1962 to 1967, she was the personal secretary to the cost manager of Brush Beryllium (now Brush-Wellman) outside Elmore, Ohio. Later, Yvonne supervised a store collection/correspondent and credit department of Sears, Roebuck & Company. During her career, she was a member of the National Recording Secretary and National Business Manager Associations. She also held every chapter office in the National Secretaries Association. Yvonne retired at the age of 61 after working four years as an office and claims clerk for the Brandow Insurance Agency in Elmore, Ohio, In 1970, Yvonne took on the duties as Precinct Chairman for the Harris Township #1 Precinct. Her civic responsibilities expanded beyond the community of Elmore when she became a member of the Ottawa County Ohio Republican Party Executive and Central Committees, serving as the committees' secretary. In 2004, she received special recognition from the late United States Congressman Paul E. Gillmor for her more than 30 years of service to both the Ottawa County Republican Party Executive and Central Committees. "As one of Ohio's finest citizens" Congressman Gillmor paid tribute to Yvonne for her patriotism, her active participation with the youth of Ottawa County, and for "her service and commitment to the American electoral process." Yvonne was a longstanding member of the Ottawa County Republican Women's Club, serving as its treasurer. As a member of the Ohio Federation of Republican Women, Yvonne received a Republican Women of the Year award in 2004 during the organization's 13th biennial "Tribute to Women". During a time of change in her community, Yvonne sought and was elected to the Elmore Village Council, making tough decisions and serving her community with integrity and commitment from 1986 to 1993. The following year, she was recognized for her "outstanding record of voting consistently for 50 years in the state of Ohio" by then Ohio Secretary of State and later Ohio Governor Robert Taft. From 1994 to 2002, Yvonne Darling served on the Ottawa County Board of Elections, overseeing the continual automation of the board. Upon her retirement from the board, the Ottawa County Commissioners recognized the mark Yvonne had left "throughout our county on many individuals, not only with adults but also the children of our community". The commissioners honored her by proclaiming March 5th, 2002 as YVONNE DARLING DAY throughout the county. In 1938, when Yvonne was only a junior in high school, she wrote a lengthy paper detailing the events of the Revolutionary War. Even as a young girl, she understood the commitment, sacrifice, and persistence of those who dared to defy a powerful Great Britain to establish a free nation. They dared to make a difference-just as Myra Yvonne Nelson Darling dared to make a difference as she touched and inspired the lives of young and old alike every day of her life. James Darling, Yvonne's husband of 53 years passed away in 1998. Yvonne continued to live in the village, county, state, and country that meant so much to her and to which she gave so much of herself ! Funeral Services will begin at 12pm Tuesday, April 18,, 2017 at the Crosser Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Elmore- Genoa Chapel. The family will receive friends from 10am Tuesday at the Funeral Home until the time of the service which will be officiated by Pastor Rob Rakay. Burial will be in Harris- Elmore Union Cemetery. Memorial Contributions may be made to St. Paul Trinity United Methodist Church. Funeral Home: Crosser Funeral Home & Cremation Service - Elmore-Genoa Chapel 19550 West State Route 51 Elmore, OH US 43416