Alfred L. "Al" Darnell, 89, died Oct. 16, 2007, at Thorne Care Center at Wesley Towers.

He was born Oct. 6, 1918, in Vandalia, Mo., the son of Alfred L. and Elizabeth Williams Darnell. He was a Sterling resident from 1956 to 1973, and a Wickenburg, Ariz., resident until moving to Hutchinson in 1985. He was the owner and operator of Darnell Oil Field Service.

He was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II, having served in the 378th Infantry and the 95th Division. On Jan. 26, 1945, he received a battlefield commission to second lieutenant, and received the Silver Star. He belonged to Forest Park Presbyterian Church, where he was an elder. He was a member of the American Legion Lysle Rishel Post No. 68, Hutchinson.

On Aug. 6, 1941, he married Wauneta Peck in Fall City, Neb. She survives.

Other survivors include: a son, Don and wife, Bev, Eufaula, Okla.; a daughter, Barb Brothers and husband, Jon, Hutchinson; two sisters, Fern Wingert, Hutchinson, and Virginia Davis, Russell; three grandchildren, Steve Brothers and wife, Nisha, Marcie Webb and husband, Scott, and Debbie Baird and husband, Tracy; step-grandchildren, Steve Browning and wife, Amber, and Krista Browning; four great-grandchildren; and a step-great-grandchild.

He was preceded in death by two brothers, J.W. and Terril Darnell, and five sisters, Merle Thode, Vernita Stallings, Martha Ball, Maxine Darnell and Verda Marie Darnell.

Funeral will be 2 p.m. Saturday at Elliott Mortuary Chapel, with Chaplain Melvin Walton presiding. Military graveside honors will be conducted by the Fort Riley Honor Guard. Friends may sign the book from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday and Friday. Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery. Cremation has taken place.

Memorials may be sent to Hospice Care of Kansas or Forest Park Presbyterian, in care of the mortuary. Personal condolences may be sent to www.elliottmortuary.com.