Howard Lionel “Buddy” Darnell, 66, of Brashear, Missouri, passed away Tuesday (December 2, 2014) at his home under Hospice care.

The son of Virgil Perry and Bernetta Irene (Cassady) Darnell, he was born November 16, 1948 in Kirksville, Missouri. He was united in marriage to Sheryl VanDyke.

Buddy is survived by his wife Sheryl of forty-one years; one son, Jeremy VanDyke of Kirksville, MO; one daughter and son-in-law, Sonya and Bradley Ray of Kirksville, MO; two brothers and two sisters-in-law, Victor and Margaret Darnell of Arnold, MO and Terry and Gerry Darnell of the state of Washington; one sister and brother-in-law, Deborah and Wilbur Perry of Trenton, MO; half brother, Harvey Darnell and wife Rose of Peoria, IL; half sister, Judy Burks of Manito, IL; and five grandchildren, Hannah, Kendra and Justin VanDyke and Kelby and Kenadie Ray, as well as several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, one sister, Sherry Bland and a half brother-in-law, Jim Burks.

Buddy was a graduate from Kirksville High School with the Class of 1966. Also in 1966, Buddy recorded a rare track with Sherwood Forest Records and with the Friar Tuck and the Merrymen Band with the songs “Try Me” and “Peanut Butter”. He served in the United State Army from January of 1969 to January 1971 when he was honorably discharged after serving in Germany. He resided in Kirksville, Gibbs and Canton until moving to Brashear, Missouri to make his home in 1986. Buddy worked on lawn mowers, enjoyed fishing, camping and being outdoors. He enjoyed working along side of Jim Robertson as a farm hand and manager working cattle, horses and other duties. At the time of Buddy’s retirement he was a mechanic at Jim Robertson’s Chevrolet.

Buddy’s wish was to be cremated and a visitation to celebrate his life will be held Sunday (December 7, 2014) from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. in the chapel of Travis-Noe Funeral Home.

Private graveside services will be held at a later date at Highland Park Cemetery in Kirksville, Missouri.

Expressions of sympathy in memory of Buddy may be made to the Howard Darnell Memorial Fund. Memorials may be left at or mailed to Travis-Noe Funeral Home, P.O. Box 306, Kirksville, MO 63501.