Darrell Deken

Darrell Deken died peacefully at his home on June 14, 2020, at the age of 69.

Darrell was born on July 14, 1950, in Qulin, Mo., to Christina (Bader) and Clemens Deken. He graduated from St. Agnes Catholic High School in Springfield, Mo., in 1968 and from Southeast Missouri State in 1972 with a degree in Psychology and Philosophy.

He married Margie Deken, the love of his life, after proposing to her in the announcer’s booth at Capaha Park with a copper nut that he found on the floor.

After graduation he worked in carpentry with his father until 1980. He then worked for the Missouri Department of Social Services in Poplar Bluff and Cape Girardeau until he retired in 2013.

Darrell is survived by his wife Margie; his father “Clem;” stepmother Ione Deken; his three son’s and their wives, Scott (Anne) Deken, Mike (Carisa) Deken, and Brad (Renee) Deken; his nine grandchildren, Carter, William, Isaac, McCord, Madie, Vivi, Landon, Aaron and Audrey; his sister Monietta Wilkerson and brother Felix Deken. He is preceded in death by his mother Christina, brother Sherrell Deken and granddaughter McKinley Deken.

Darrell was a generous person who loved living a life of service. He was an accomplished carpenter and helped build and remodel many, many houses over the years. Darrell was very active in St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry, Knights of Columbus and especially Sacred Heart Church and school, serving as president and board member of both.

Darrell was a founding board member of Community Resource Council of Poplar Bluff and the Boys and Girls Club of Poplar Bluff. He was a past board member of South Central Workforce Investment Board and the Butler County Sheltered Workshop. He coached Civic and Little League baseball and youth soccer in both Poplar Bluff and Cape Girardeau. Darrell (Silly Willy) was a member of the Knights of Columbus clown club.

In retirement he helped start the St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Store, worked at and helped build the new St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry, worked with Cotrell Funeral Home and voluntarily mowed the Sacred Heart cemetery.

Darrell was a family man. He loved his brothers and sister. He had fond memories of playing ‘ball’ and games like ‘piggy wants a wiggle’ with his mother and siblings. He then passed down those traditions to his sons, grandchildren and many other children throughout the years by playing these same games with them. He took pride in being pretty smart, something he feels he received from his father.

He loved the life he created with his smoking hot wife, Margie, and his three sons. He had fond memories of his boys as toddlers laying in bed together Saturday mornings and wrestling with them even into early adulthood. He loved playing in his family’s Thanksgiving Turkey Bowl and on his deathbed confessed to being the unbiased reporter. Certainly, his biggest joys were his grandchildren. Darrell loved having them all under one roof and doing activities together, such as painting a mural, pulling down trees, and going on mule rides.

Darrell lived a life of serving others. He led his fine sons and grandchildren into a life of service also. He strongly believed that the way back to the Father is through service to others.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry or Sacred Heart Church in memory of Mr. Deken.

Public visitation will be Thursday, June 18, 2020, from 5-7 p.m. at the Cotrell Chapel. A private funeral and graveside committal service will be Friday, June 19, 2020. If you plan to attend the visitation service, a mask or face covering of some kind is required by everyone. Please always follow social distancing guidelines if at all possible during the service.

Online condolences: www.cotrellfuneralservice.com