Darrell Ready

Darrell Ready, age 85, passed away on October 1, 2024 surrounded by his family after battling many years of cancer and many other setbacks.

Darrell was born on March 5, 1939 in Mason, IL to Glenn and Esther Pauline (Smith) Ready. Darrell married Stella Ready on April 5, 1961, and she survives.

Darrell's Dad worked for GTE as a Lineman and moved from town to town. In his childhood years, Darrell enjoyed shooting marbles with neighborhood kids. He loved visiting Uncle John and Aunt Lois where his cousin Marylin made him his first fishing pole out of an old curtain rod, and they would go fishing and mushroom hunting.

While in Junior High, Darrell worked on a milk truck and a garbage truck. In High School, Darrell worked at the Strand Theatre in Fairfield, IL as a projectionist. He enjoyed Carpentry Class in High School where he made a coffee table, drop leaf table, and 2 wood bowls for his Mom.

After High School, Darrell joined the Army and spent 6 years in the Reserves. After his military service, Darrell was hired at GTE in 1958 where his worked for over 33 years-- starting as a Draftsman and retiring in 1991 as 2nd in State-Senior Engineer.

After retiring, he and Charlie opened Ready's Sporting Goods in Olney.

He loved pitching horseshoes and washers, fishing, bowling, going to harness racing in Evansville with his friend, Wayne. Darrell also enjoyed watching the Cardinals, UK basketball, and the Chicago Bears.

Darrell is survived by his wife, 3 sons, Robert (JoLinda) Ready, Tracy Ready, and Charlie (Amy) Ready; 2 Granddaughters, Sydney and Payton, and grandson, Lucas; and several nieces and nephews, and special cousin Marylin Larson.

He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers, Robert and Gary, sister, Phyllis Pauline, and son, Kevin Alan.

Visitation times will be from 12:00-2:00 PM on Tuesday, October 8th, 2024 at Kistler-Patterson Funeral Home in Olney. Following the Visitation, the family will process from the funeral home to Crest Haven Memorial Park at 2:00 PM for a Graveside Service.

Full military rites will be performed at the Graveside Service.

Memorials in lieu of flowers can be made to Carle Center for Philanthropy.