Larry Ray “Brother Love” Darnell, 76 of Portage, passed away surrounded by his family, Friday May 20, 2022. He was born March 9, 1946 in Harvey, IL to the late Raymond and Dorothy (Reed) Darnell. Larry retired as a journeyman rodman with the Iron Workers Local 395. He was a member of First United Methodist Church of Portage, Masonic Lodge 735 of Griffith, and the Shriners, where he was a past member of the motor patrol. Larry was also the 2020 State King of T.O.P.S. To know Larry was to love Larry and he was the life of the party. He could walk into any room and light it up with his big warm smile and personality, not to mention his dancing, cartwheels, and the splits. Larry will be missed greatly by his family and everyone whose lives he touched.
On July 27, 1968, Larry married Lerryn Strohl who survives along with their children, Sherry (Richard) Pinarski, Carrie (Stephen) Forbes, and Michael (Natalie) Darnell; grandchildren, Stephen (Lauren) Wright, Alyssa Lerryn (Thomas) Zupin, Breanna (Nathan Budnik) Darnell, Austin Forbes, Aaron Green, Travis Darnell, Austin Darnell, Messiah Pinarski, Darius Pinarski, and Kenzie Darnell; great grandchildren, Ryker and Rowan Wright; father-in-law, Donald Strohl; sister-in-law, Christie (Jerry) Collins; brother-in-law, James (Carol) Strohl; nephews and niece, Jason, Matthew, and Julie Collins; great nephew, Bear Garrett; and his beloved dog, Lilly Girl. He was also preceded in death by his mother-in-law, Fran Strohl.
A Memorial Gathering will be held on Tuesday, May 24, 2022 from 4:00-6:00 PM at the First United Methodist Church 2637 McCool Rd., Portage, with a Memorial Service beginning at 6:00 PM. In lieu of flowers, memorials are requested to the family.
