Jack Henry Darnell

Jack Darnell, 90, a lifelong resident of Massillon, passed away Thursday, January 10, 2019, surrounded by family.

Jack was a graduate of Massillon Washington High School.  He served in the 500th Engineers Division of the U.S. Army, stationed in Germany during the Korean War.  He worked for Republic Steel and his father’s sheet metal business before joining the Massillon Fire Department, where he worked for 25 years. He was recognized for his dedication to the community and received awards such as Fireman of the Year and the Safety Service Award from the Massillon Jaycees before retiring as a Captain and the head of Fire Prevention in 1983.

Jack had many interests including the outdoors, sports, music, and his dogs.  He enjoyed working in his yard and admiring nature.  He also loved his dogs and enjoyed having them near him.  He was an avid Ohio State Football fan and had spent a good portion of his life playing baseball, including while stationed in Germany as part of the U.S. Army Special Forces baseball team.  In addition, he played baseball in high school as well as for many other sponsored teams, and was being courted by several major league teams until he sustained a severe injury; he continued playing on an amateur level after his recovery. He was inducted into the Amateur Baseball Association of Greater Stark County in 2000.  Jack was also a huge Bing Crosby fan and was a longtime member of his fan club.

Preceded in death by his parents, Wilbert “Jack” and Florence Darnell; brother, Charles Darnell, sister, Jane Weekley and infant son, Kenny; Jack is survived by his loving wife of 62 years, Angeline (Paradeses); sons, David (Michele), Tim, Dan (Mary Lou), and Jim (Amy) Darnell, and daughters, Kathy (Brian) Oliver, Diane (Michael) Becker, and Julie Darnell; 15 grandchildren and two step-grandchildren; four step great-grandchildren and an eagerly awaited great-granddaughter, many nieces and nephews and several sisters- and brothers-in-law.  

A private family visitation will precede a Mass of Christian Burial open to all, celebrated at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, January 16, 2019, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Massillon.  Interment will follow immediately afterwards at St. Joseph Cemetery in Massillon.  

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