Darlene Moriearty (74) of Effingham

Darlene Gulley Moriearty 74 years old of rural Effingham, Illinois died unexpectedly at 9:15 pm Tuesday, July 28, 2020 sitting on her favorite bench in her flower garden at her home.

Visitation for family and friends will be held from 6:00 pm until 9:00 pm Friday July 31, 2020 as well as Funeral Services on Saturday Morning August 1, 2020 at 11:00 am, both at the Kull Funeral Chapel, Altamont, Illinois. Online condolences may be expressed by clicking here.

Loretta Darlene Gulley-Moriearty was born on November 13, 1945 in Decatur, Illinois one of two siblings into the family of Rue Pershing and Novita Pauline Lowder-Gulley. On November 16, 1974 she married Norman Eugene Moriearty in the First Christian Church, Effingham by the Rev. Lawrence Beebe. Norman preceded her in death on December 10, 2010.

After the family moved from Decatur, Darlene was raised in Altamont. Darlene was a wife, mother, sister, aunt, and grandmother. She graduated from Altamont Community High School with the class of 1963. While in school she was active in numerous activities, as cheerleading and was the Queen of the FHA (Future Homemakers of America) annual dance. During her life she was employed at the Route 40 truck stop near Altamont in her young years; employed at Fedders USA for ten years; employed as secretary for the Effingham City Police Chief for 23 years, and after her retirement she was part time employed at J.C. Penney’s in Effingham. She was very proud of teaching Bob Ross Joy of Painting classes. She was a member of the Effingham Women of Today, Effingham Jr. Women’s Club; Effingham Drug Alert Council; St. Anthony Hospital Auxiliary, and Altamont VFW Post 7676 women’s auxiliary.

Darlene is survived by her special friend John Habing Sr., 1-Daughter: Crystal (husband, John) Habing and grandson Michael Habing. Sister: Cathy (husband, Brian) Lane all from the Lake Sara area near Effingham, IL. 3-Step sons: Michael (wife, Linda) Moriearty of Lubbock, Texas, Steven Moriearty of Berwick, Pennsylvania and Mark Moriearty of Dallas, Texas. Stepdaughter: Barbara Ann Moriearty of Sacramento, California, Darlene was a proud grandmother of 8 grandchildren and 9 great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her Parents: Rue and Novita, Husband: Norman, Grandson: Steven Habing, Niece Jamie Rena England, and Nephew Wallace Otto Darkow Jr.

Memorials may be made to the Effingham Women of Today Scholarship Fund P.O. Box 1163 Effingham, Illinois 62401, the St. Jude’s Memorial Giving 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN. 38105 and/or the Choice of the Donor.