Darrel Lee Roberts

Darrel Lee Roberts, age 86 of Streator passed away peacefully on Saturday, September 5, 2026. 

A private family only service will be held at the Winterrowd Funeral Home, followed by full Military Honors and burial in Nigh Chapel Cemetery, Graymont, IL.

Joe York will serve as Urn-bearer.

Darrel was born on May 29, 1940, to Levi and Hazel (Elmore) Roberts in Streator. He was one of five

children – brothers Max, Denis, Dale, and a sister Chelsea (Taylor) all of whom are deceased.

He attended Grant Elementary School and graduated from Streator High School in 1958.

After high school Darrel began working at Thatcher Glass Factory. He left the factory in 1961 to join

the United States Navy where he proudly served as Engineman Second Class aboard the submarine

USS Sea Fox 402 during the Vietnam War. His military service was complete in 1964 at which time

he returned home and returned to work at the glass factory having retained his seniority there. He

continued working as Thatcher Glass transitioned over the years with various co-owners until it was

unfortunately closed for good. Following 35 years at the glass factory he accepted a position in the

maintenance department at Illinois Valley Community College where he worked until retirement in

2011.

He was a certified electrician and certified in HVAC service/repair which he did on the side for many

years. Darrel enjoyed hunting, fishing and turtle hunting, he looked forward every year to attending

the Thresherman’s Reunion in Pontiac and he liked the occasional 7 and 7 drink. Back in the day he

liked attending annual family reunions to catch up with relatives. In his later years he enjoyed

making birdhouses, helping his wife in the garden, playing cards, reminiscing about times gone by

and basic fiddling around in his garage. He always liked watching history, mystery and western

shows on television. All the squirrels in the neighborhood knew to go to his home where he threw out

peanuts and watched them in the yard every day. He was a member of VFW post 1492. He was a

fan of the older era of country music and was a die-hard Ford guy who loved to joke around with

people who owned a Chevy.

Darrel met Rebecca York while working at the glass factory, they were married on October 5, 1989

She survives. Together they enjoyed traveling all across the U.S. visiting several popular tourists

destinations and historic places. He desired to travel to every state, throughout his lifetime he was

able to visit 47 of the 50.

He was proceeded in death by his parents, all four siblings and two grandsons - Matthew Halko and

C.J. York.

He is survived by his children Melody (Rob) Pearson of Streator, Linda (Tony) Halko of Streator, Gene

(Sharon) Roberts of Streator, David Roberts of Streator, Glenda Rush of Byron, Joe (Jamie) York of

Lacon, Sam (Tabby) York of Streator, Becky Centko of Streator. Surviving also are several

grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Darrel was a very kind soul. He was humble, generous, and always willing to help out others. He

always had a positive attitude and could find the bright side of any situation.

He will be dearly remembered and greatly missed.