~Obituary lovingly written by the family of John Darch~

John Aaron Henry Darch, was born May 27, 1951, in Anchorage, AK. A quiet, but strong pillar in our family, his life bestows lessons in the gift of welcoming all who come, the importance of honesty, and the adventure of being spontaneous. A modern-day MacGyver, John could fix anything, even over the phone, and did so for everyone. His power was in his simplicity: welcome all, cook them breakfast, then head out to the creek or Jolly Mill for a little more time together. He enjoyed race cars and old cars, boxing, old Westerns, family games, and, most of all, challenging his brothers. John so loved his wife, Connie. She brought him a love that was patient, kind, enduring, and the likes of which he'd never known before. He adored his children, his grandchildren, and had an incredibly strong bond with his seven siblings and their families. Our Dad was always there for us with big strong hands to catch us when we'd fall and was our best friend when we needed one; our Uncle John was a fun and comforting Uncle who always made us feel like we belonged and were special, Our Brother John was glue that held us together and was at our sides when we needed him, and our Grandpa John was a source of wisdom and example of what a true hero is to a family.  Our Angel John was one of strong Faith and is now in the comfort and warmth of our Heavenly Father.  In addition to his wife, Connie, John is survived by his children, Tracey Noel and wife, LaShawn of Pittsburg, Kansas, Jennifer Johnson and husband, Michael of Joplin, Shanon Short and wife, Teresa of Carthage, Nolan Darch and wife, Laura of Flint, Michigan, Rebecca Skinner of Springfield, Missouri and Marion Yore and husband, Ben of Castle Rock, Colorado; his siblings, Bill Darch and wife, Fran of Hollywood, Florida, Nance Tassin and husband, Bernie of Spring Lake,  Michigan, Norma Perkins and husband, Gordy of Grand Rapids, Michigan, Mark Darch of Newtonia, Tim Darch and wife, Mary of Neosho and Abbe Ehlers and husband, Tom of Springfield; one brother-in-law, Marvin Ritchey of Attica, Michigan; thirteen grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews.  He is preceded in death by his mother, Norma Smith Milenkovich, and husband, Peter; his father, Robert R. Darch; one sister, Karen Ritchey; and two nephews, Michael John Ritchey and Jason Darch.