Darrell W. Whittington

We find our hearts heavy and in loving memory of Darrell “Whit” Wayne Whittington, 78, who passed away suddenly on Sunday, June 9, 2024 at his home. A celebration of his life will be held on Wednesday, June 19, 2024 at Country Celebrations, 5606 Hamilton Blvd, Sioux City, IA between 3 and 6 PM with a remembrance service and military honors starting at 3:15 PM.

Certain if we had a chance to visit with Darrell, he’d agree his passing was as much of a shock to him as it was to his family and friends. But he flew high into the waiting arms of a loving God and into the welcoming arms of those who passed before him. His parents, Ervin “Bill” and Eldora Whittington; his brother Jack, who are hopefully behaving and not starting any grass fires in heaven; his mother in law, Frances Scovill, who loved him like a son, and father in law Jim Scovill. Hopefully Jim isn’t waiting with a truck that needs to be cleaned out because I don’t think Darrell would ever do that again. And he will get to meet his precious daughter Angela for the first time. Oh what a reunion that will be.

While he’s celebrating in heaven, we are deeply feeling this loss. But he left us with a legacy of infectious laughter, a smile that would brighten any setting, and a kind and tender heart whose outlook on the world was very simple. Sit on the deck and enjoy the sunsets with family, a neighbor, or a stranger soon to become a new friend. It didn’t matter who you were, you would quickly be pulled in by his smile and warm personality, which served him well as a salesman for twenty five years. Prior to sales, Darrell worked at D&L and John Morrell’s. This wonderful man was born on February 24, 1946 in Fort Smith, AK, but soon made his way to Minnesota, where Darrell was later joined by his other siblings, Jan Goodyear (Corky) Pelican Rapids MN, Jack Whittington (Judy) deceased, Cheryl Edblom (Greg) Sioux Falls, SD.

After graduation Uncle Sam and the Navy grabbed him to serve in Vietnam. He spent four years as a Gunners Mate on the USS Henry W. Tucker before coming home and meeting the love of his life, Sheila Scovill. They married in Sioux Falls, SD on April 17, 1971 and were married for 53 amazing years. Darrell and Sheila raised three wonderful sons, Joshua Whittington, Sioux City IA, Jesse Whittington (partner Kristi Copeland) Sioux City, IA, James Whittington (Amber) Sioux Falls, SD. He was so proud of his sons, the men they became and the wonderful women they brought into his life and enriched our family.

The apple of his eye were his grandchildren. Oh they just melted his heart and filled his life with love. But it didn’t take long for them to realize grandpa was a jokester and you often heard “Oh Grandpa!” followed by laughter. His precious grandchildren are Dalen Whittington, Sioux City, IA, Kiley and Carter Whittington, Mesa, AZ, Aubrey and Jackson Whittington, Sioux Falls SD, Desirae and Hayden Breece, Sioux Falls, SD and Drake Copeland, Sioux City, IA. Darrell also had several cherished nieces and nephews that he held close to his heart.

The legacy Darrell leaves behind is one for the ages and while our hearts are heavy with loss, we celebrate the wonderful man that left an impression on us all, and touched everyone’s heart that he knew.