Darwin Shires

Funeral Services with Masonic Rites for Darwin Shires, 58, of Corning, will be 11:00 A.M., Monday, September 14, 2020, at Pearson Family Funeral Service & Cremation Center, 701 7th Street, Corning, Iowa, with Mr. Larry Johnson officiating.  There will be a committal service at the Carl Cemetery, Carl, Iowa, following the service.  Open viewing will be 2:00 – 7:00 P.M., with family receiving friends 4:00 – 7:00 P.M., Sunday, September 13, 2020, at the funeral home.  In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Adams County Shriners.  Memories may be shared at www.pearsonfuneralhomes.com.
Darwin Eugene Shires, the son of Myron & Jan (Tucker) Shires, was born August 12, 1962 in Creston, Iowa. Darwin lived an active and very fun life but his time was cut short. He passed away on Wednesday, September 9, 2020 at Bergan Mercy Hospital in Omaha, Nebraska as the result of a heart attack.  Darwin was 58 years old and had recently battled and beat Squamous Cell Carcinoma.
Growing up, Darwin’s family moved several times, living in Nodaway, Mt. Ayr and Prescott, Iowa as well as the state of Hawaii. Frequent moves contributed to his personality, shaping his quick wit and ability to have relationships with people through humor.  People found themselves walking away from a conversation with Darwin with a smile on their face after hearing one of his, sometimes naughty, jokes or one-liners.
Darwin graduated from Prescott High School with the Class of 1980, and attended DMACC in Ankeny, Iowa for diesel mechanics.  Throughout his high school career, Darwin worked as a farm hand for Reldon Cline. After school in Ankeny, he came back to Corning and worked at Phillips 66 gas station before becoming a semi-truck driver with Richard Riley Trucking and Curtis Trucking. His love of trucking eventually led him to owning his own semi-truck for 23 years.  One of his favorite things about his career as a truck driver was being able to take his son, Joey, over the road.  His desire to be closer to family led him to later taking a position with the City of Corning, followed by Adams County maintaining secondary roads. He took a lot of pride in his role maintaining roads in his road grader.  He was dedicated to helping the residents of Adams County while always going above and beyond.
He married the love of his life, Lori Crill, on August 14, 1982. They enjoyed 38 wonderful years together and are a true example of everlasting love. They were blessed with two daughters, Heidi & Darci and one son, Joey. Despite a busy work schedule, Darwin always loved attending his children’s and grandchildren’s activities. Darwin became a Papa in 2009 and it was instantly one of his favorite roles in life. He loved being able to spoil each grandchild and pass on all of his ornery tricks and traits. He cherished their time together on the farm teaching them to drive a go-cart or four wheeler and mow, work in the garden, ride a bike, get their hands dirty on a project and sneak them their favorite treats. He always made sure they had the biggest and most adventurous birthday presents.
Not only did Darwin love his own grandchildren and family, he also had a huge heart for children in the community. He was a Mason and also became an active Shriner with the Adams County Shrine. He had recently became a Shriner-father to two children in the area and helped them with medical hardships and encouragement along the way.  As Darwin took his final breath on Earth, a chime could be heard throughout the hospital indicating that a new baby had just been born. How magical for a man that loved kids as much as Darwin! When you couldn’t find Darwin with family or friends, you would likely find him caring for animals.  He had a special place in his heart for the family dogs and also had a strong passion for raising and working cattle.
Darwin was a funny, loving, big hearted, compassionate husband, father, Papa, brother, son and friend to so many. He will be greatly missed. Those left to cherish his beloved memory are his wife, Lori, of Corning; daughter Heidi and son-in law Josh Webster of Maryville, Missouri and their sons Crosby (4), Corby (3) and Kiptyn (1); daughter Darci Shires of Corning and daughters Lilli (11) and Mia (7); son Joey of Corning; furry granddogs Moxie parents Myron & Jan Shires of Weslaco, Texas; father-in-law Don Crill of Prescott; siblings Donna, Debbie, Donald and Danny, and many other family members, loved ones, friends and Masonic & Shriner family.
Preceding Darwin in death were his mother-in-law, Ruby June Crill, nephew Lucas Sweeney, grandparents, Donald & Hallene Shires, Jeanne Shires, Roe & Marjorie Tucker, great niece Ada Crill and step-grandson Austin Vais.