Darlene Templeton 1954-2025

She was born March 30, 1954, to Darl and Martha Brown Templeton at Camp Rucker, Alabama, where her father was stationed in the Army.

Darlene grew up in Newton Falls with her parents and four siblings, where she was an honor student and homecoming queen, graduating in 1972. Darlene was a dedicated worker, finding success in every position. During all four years of high school, Darlene worked for Falls Dry Cleaners run by the DiGirolamo family.

Upon graduating from Newton Falls High School, she was hired in medical records as a transcriber, at St. Joseph Warren Hospital, and was quickly promoted to supervisor. She went on to work as supervisor of medical records for Trumbull and Hillside Hospitals; in the offices of American Welding and Alcan in Warren; as a secretary for the Rev. Matthew Darrin of Windham Methodist Church; in multiple CJ Banks locations; in the Newton Falls Schools; and for Portage Resources, operated by her brothers, Bob and Eric. She also owned and operated Impatiens, a frame and gift shop in Newton Falls, for a number of years.

Darlene was a firm believer in Christ Jesus and lived out her faith through her actions. She was an active member and attended Newton Falls United Methodist Church; Methodist Church of Windham; Church of the Nazarene of Windham; and Findlay First Church of the Nazarene, where she served in secretarial and many volunteer capacities.

For her love of helping those in need, both human and furry friends, she donated years of her time and energy volunteering at the Menagerie in Warren; Angels for Animals; and local soup kitchens, churches, homeless shelters and civic organizations. She was featured multiple times over the years in local papers. When featured for starting a suitcase program for foster children, she was quoted to say: “If I hear of anything, I will volunteer.” She was also known to rescue and adopt many animals of her own.

Darlene was beloved by all who knew her and showed kindness to everyone she met. Though she faced health struggles for many years, she never complained and remained steadfast to serving others. She never met a stranger and made many lifelong friends along the way, blessing others with her good heart, optimism and thoughtfulness.

Darlene was deeply loved by her family and she was always there for family and friends with love and kindness. She hosted many events for the opportunity to bring family and friends together.

She is survived by her mother, Martha Templeton; sister and brother-in-law, Deanna Templeton Wadding and Denny Wadding; brother, Bob Templeton; sister-in-law, Rob Shamrock Templeton; niece and husband, Kristen Wadding-Simas and Luiz Simas, and their children, Joshua and Mackenzie; nephew and wife, Dustin and Sylvia Templeton, and their children, Madison and Liam; niece and husband, Lindsay Templeton Perry and Kevin Perry, and their son, Jacob; and niece and husband, Sarah Wadding Basso and Eric Basso, and their daughter, Emerson.

Darlene was preceded in death by her brothers, Eric and Bill Templeton; her father, Darl Templeton; her paternal grandparents, Bill and Peggy Templeton; and her maternal grandparents, Ralph and Vera Brown.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to the caregivers that supported and tended to Darlene — Ruth King, Pam Tresler, Sue Stetson and Mary Blanton. Your kindness was a blessing to Darlene, just as her spirit was a blessing to you.

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