Darwin John Meier, age 84, lifelong resident of Jarvis Township, near Troy, Ill., passed away Monday evening, October 24, 2011 at his home.

Born in Pin Oak Township on April 26, 1927, to John and Meta (Flath) Meier, he was the oldest of their two sons. Darwin attended St. Paul's Lutheran School in Troy and graduated from McCray-Dewey Township High School in 1945.

On June 1, 1952, he married Edna Claire Talleur of Edwardsville. Their 59-year marriage produced four children: Paul (Nancy) Meier of Kennewick, Wash.; Glenn Meier of St. Jacob; Yvonne (Dave) Rieger of Troy; and Carol (Mick) Markway of Kirkwood, Mo.

Darwin was an accomplished self-employed grain/livestock farmer in Jarvis Township. During this time he was a member of the Madison County Farm Bureau and Madison County 4-H committee, mentoring young adults with horses. He served as an announcer at the Madison County Fair. After retiring from farming in 1987, he became a well-respected school bus driver for the Triad School District, bringing many smiles to young faces, retiring in 2005. Still wanting to make a difference, he began working for the Tri-Township Park District, mowing the park, sports fields, and ancillary parks throughout Troy, a job he continued until July 2011.

Darwin was a faithful member of St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Troy, where he was baptized, confirmed and married. He served in many capacities, including church Elder, usher, Financial Secretary, family choir member, member of St. Paul's Lutheran Cemetery committee, and St. Paul's Lutheran School Board.

He volunteered with the Jarvis Township Senior Citizens and Meals on Wheels. He served his community as a trustee for the Troy Fire Protection Department for 22 years. He was named Troy Person of the Year in 2000.

Darwin was best known for his kindness, smile and willingness to help others. He loved his family and enjoyed playing cards, working jig-saw puzzles, dancing, gardening and watching his family participate in sporting events.

Besides his wife and four children, he is survived by two dear grandsons, Glenn and Ben Markway of Kirkwood, Mo.; his brother, Delmar (Verona) Meier of Troy; step-brother-in-law and sisters-in-law, Jim (Marie) Long, Betty McMichael and Mary Jo (John) Steiner of Edwardsville and Pat (Bob) Lenz of Springfield; and his Godchildren, Lonnie Meier of Troy, Sara Modvrosky of Maryville and Ellen Schmidt of Columbia, Mo.

Memorial Donations may be made to St. Paul's Lutheran School, St. Paul's Lutheran Cemetery, or Tri-Township Park.

Visitation: Friends may call from 3:00 – 8:00 pm, Friday, October 28, 2011, at St. Paul's Lutheran Church, 106 N. Border St., Troy, Ill. The Troy Fire Department will conduct a walk-through at 6:30 Friday at the church.

Funeral: Funeral Service will be at 10:00 am, Saturday, October 29, 2011 at the church, with Reverends Mitchel Schuessler and Jim Ritter officiating. Burial will follow at St. Paul's Lutheran Cemetery, Troy, Illinois.