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Photo of Daryl C. McGrath

Daryl C. McGrath

1/12/1957 - 10/24/2015


Obituary


Daryl Clark McGrath, 58, of Clarion passed away Saturday, October 24, 2015 at Mercy Medical Center surrounded by his family.

There was a vacancy in Heaven and God was looking for an angel. God thought, “I need someone who is patient, someone who has a sense of humor, someone who is kind, and someone who is selfless.” Daryl was exactly what God was looking for. He was patient with his wife, Jona, when she could be a lot to handle. He showed more patience when Aubrey, Zach, Caleb, and Mikayla would be even more to handle. He never lost his temper.

Daryl’s off-kilter sense of humor brought his family many years of laughter. When he would be sitting silently and suddenly say a one-liner from left field everyone would laugh hysterically and Daryl would just grin.

He was so kind and had the biggest heart. He loved and took care of anything and everything, whether it was his family and friends, or all the stray animals he would bring home.

Daryl was selfless by choosing to be an organ donor after his mother’s stroke. He gave many people the ultimate gift. The gift of life. The gift of keeping their loved one a little longer. He will touch so many lives and continue to give years from now, even from Heaven.

Funeral services will be held at 1:00 PM on Thursday, October 29, 2015 at Ewing Funeral Home, 1801 Central Avenue East in Clarion, with Pastor Kim Lee officiating.

Visitation will be held from 4:00-7:00 PM on Wednesday, October 28, 2015 at Ewing Funeral Home in Clarion.

Daryl was born on January 12, 1957 to Bennie McGrath and Pearl Elaine (Summers) Lester in Belmond, Iowa. He spent his earlier years on a farm north of Clarion and then moved to Clarion in 1967. He graduated from Goldfield High School in 1975.

Daryl was united in marriage to Sue Rohrer on September 26, 1981 until her passing December 7, 1997.

In 2002, he remarried his childhood friend, Jona Schroeder on February 9th and lovingly accepted her four children as his own. Together they made their home in Wright County. They had many animals and Daryl especially loved his Scottie dog, Scottie.

Daryl liked to spend his free time watching sports and cheering on the Iowa Hawkeyes, especially when they played Iowa State. He loved rock and roll and attended many concerts throughout his life, but there was nothing Daryl loved more than his family.

On October 6th, Daryl was blessed with his first grandchild, Ellie DeAnn.

Daryl is survived by his wife Jona of Clarion; 4 children: Aubrey (David) Back, Zachary (Whitney) Dahlgren, Caleb Dahlgren (Ashley Seehusen), and Mikayla (Austin) Walker; 1 grandchild Ellie Dahlgren; father Bennie (Linda) McGrath; mother Pearl Elaine (Norman) Lester. 2 brothers: Dennis (Jane) McGrath and Doug (Donna) McGrath; aunts and uncles; many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his wife Sue; maternal grandparents; and paternal grandparents.

Daryl touched many lives and he will be missed by everyone.

View Daryl's Memorial Tribute Video Here:

Daryl McGrath Memorial Tribute Video