Del Darby

Del Monte Darby, the oldest son of Delmonte & Caryl Sue (Fowler) Darby, was born July 15, 1956 in Aurora, Illinois and died May 7, 2023, at Kelly Lake, Suring, Wisconsin, at the age of 66.

Del grew up in Aurora and spent all his summers at Kelly Lake.  He played football at East Aurora High School, but truly excelled in swimming.   While a sophomore, Del broke 5 Varsity records, and the swim team won more meets than it had in the past 7 years.  The following year, Del broke 5 of his own records, and 1 team record.  He broke the school’s butterfly record twice in one week.  He placed 5 ^th place in state in the freestyle relay, and served as his team’s captain and was voted MVP all 3 years in high school, before graduating in 1975.

After high school, Del coached and was the Boy’s Swim Team President for the YMCA, sending 22 team members to state.  He also coached swimming at Yorkville County Club and was a Red Cross safety instructor.

Del was employed in construction, and there wasn’t anything he couldn’t repair or create.  He retired from McKee Door after 30 years of service.  He was a member of the Tiger Club Athletic Association in Aurora, and the Kelly Lake Naiad Ski Team.  Del moved to Kelly Lake fulltime about three years ago.

He is survived by his four younger brothers, Edward (Judi) Darby of Aurora, IL; Alan (Anita) Darby of Burke, Virginia; Bruce (Chris) Darby of Sevierville, Tennessee; and Kenneth (Dianne) Darby of Aurora, IL.  He is also survived by aunts, uncles, and many cousins, nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Del loved spending time at Kelly Lake, WI, watching family and friends enjoy what he so loved.  In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the Kelly Lake Advancement Association for the conservation of the lake.  Donations can be sent to KLAA, c/o Kenneth Darby, 214 Bevier Place, Aurora, IL 60505.

A celebration of Del’s life will take place 1:00 PM Sunday, May 28, 2023 at the Kelly Lake Outsyde Pavilion.