Darrel Ray McGrew

Darrel Ray McGrew, 64, of Newton, was called home Wednesday, April 8, 2015, at the Mercy Hospice Home in Johnston. A memorial service for Darrel was Monday, April 13 at the Mitchell Family Funeral Home in Marshalltown. Memorials may be directed to the family for designation at a later date. For more information or to send a condolence; please visit www.mitchellfh.com or call 641-844-1234. Mitchell Family Funeral Home is caring for Darrel and his family.

Darrel McGrew was born on Sept. 8, 1950, in Marshalltown to Elgin and Arlene (Devick) McGrew. Darrel served his country honorably in the United States Army Reserves and was very patriotic. On July 23, 1976, Darrel was united in marriage to his first wife, Cindy Clubb in Gilman. Darrel and Cindy had two daughters and they helped raise his sister-in-law Billy “Jo” (Clubb) Carlton. They later divorced and he married the love of his life Linda (Bates) Workman May 3, 2013, in Newton. Darrel had previously worked at Farmhand, Fisher Controls, Central Counties Coop as a custom applicator, and had recently retired. He also was a mechanic, a farm hand, enjoyed training dogs for hunting and was a volunteer firefighter for Gilman. Darrel enjoyed fixing cars in his shop, hunting, boating, driving his Harley and his truck. He loved to visit friends and stopping by Verg’s Garage in Laurel, for coffee and donuts on Saturday mornings. Darrel was an avid news watcher especially regarding the weather and farming. Above all, he enjoyed the time he got to spend with his grandchildren, family, and traveling with his wife.

Left to cherish his memory is his wife of two years, Linda; children, Jill (Scott Ruhnke) Cook of Newton and Jaclyn (Rusty Sawyer) McGrew of Montour; step-daughters, Shelly (Mark) Krumm of Rock Creek, Heather (Blane) Benesh of Grinnell and Cathy (Josh) Lang of Marshalltown; grandchildren, Evan, Emma, Stuart, Eric, Stella and Piper. Darrel is also survived by eight step-grandchildren; brother Larry (Barb) McGrew of Marshalltown; and a sister-in-law Char McGrew.

Darrel is preceded in death by his parents, Elgin and Arlene; and a brother, Roger McGrew.