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Alton C. “Al” Darling, 92, of Battle Creek, MI, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on Monday, December 24, 2018 at Countryside Senior Living in Battle Creek, MI.
He was born September 19, 1926 in Johnstown Township, MI the son of Ted R. Darling and Gladys (Beach) Darling.
He had owned and operated the Ritzee Hamburger restaurant in downtown for 20 years until 1988. He had formerly worked at Sears & Roebuck in Battle Creek. He was a real estate representative with the Hoffmann Reality for several years after retirement. After retiring in 1988, he was employed with the Bachman Hebble Funeral Service as a assistant to the funeral directors and driver for funerals until 1994. He then worked with Heritage Chevrolet transferring cars to other dealerships.
He married the former Dorothy A. Tapley on August 20, 1966 in Battle Creek, MI. He is survived by his wife: Dorothy Darling of Battle Creek, MI; a brother: Donald J. Darling of Battle Creek; four grandsons: Ted C. & Nicole Darling, Jr. of Battle Creek; Alton C. Darling of Battle Creek; Monty Pritchard and Ore Pritchard both of Tucson, Arizona; a granddaughter: Leola J. & Martin Stevens of Battle Creek; several great grandchildren and a few great-great grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents; daughter Joann Hopkins (2016), his son: Ted C. Darling (Aug 25, 2018); brothers: Theodore “Bob” Darling (2016); Philip Darling
(2012).
Al had attended schools in Hastings and Marshall. He enjoyed NASCAR racing and reading. He was a member of the Galesburg Speedway Race track staff where he was a flag man for the races for 14 years, retiring in 1963. He was a Life associate member of the FOP Fraternal Order of Police Lodge #121, a representative of Masonic Services to all of the state’s Veterans Administration Hospitals in the Volunteer services. During his lifetime he performed many Masonic memorial services for his Masonic Brothers in the area. For many years he helped decorate graves of former Masons on Memorial Day.
Al was a member and Past Master of the Bedford #207, F&AM, Grand Tiler Emeritus of Grand Lodge of Michigan for (21 years, High Priest of the Bedford Royal Arch #188, Past Thrice Illustrious Master of the Bedford Council #91, Past Patron Bedford Eastern Star #471, member of the Saladin Shrine of Grand Rapids, member of the Battle Creek Shrine Club, member of the Scottish Rite Valley of Grand Rapids, Past President of the Battle Creek Scottish Rite Club, member of the Battle Creek Commandry #33, member of the York College #10, member of the Order of Tall Cedars of Lebanon, member of the Kentucky Colonel, Honorary member of many Michigan Masonic Lodges, Past Member of the Bedford Masonic Temple Association.
No visitation is planned at the funeral home; however a Memorial service is planned for a later date in the Bachman Funeral Chapel. Burial of cremated remains will be at a later date in Union Cemetery. Memorial tributes may be made to the family in care of the funeral home. Arrangements by the Bachman Hebble Funeral Service, a member by invitation Selected Independent Funeral Homes. (269)965-5145 www.bachmanhebble.com