Funeral services for Darrell E. Ellis, 68, of Chamberlain, SD will be 2:00 p.m., Friday, January 26, 2024 at the United Church of Christ in Chamberlain with burial in the Graceland Cemetery at Oacoma, SD.  Visitation will begin at 1:00 p.m. on Friday at the United Church of Christ in Chamberlain.

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Darrell Edward Ellis was born to Betty Ann (Schooler) and Wayne Ellis on March 20, 1955 in Chamberlain, South Dakota. He was raised in the countryside with his six siblings and as a child enjoyed being on the farm, hunting and fishing, and spending time with family and friends. Darrell trained his horse to pull a wagon to help out with farming chores.

Darrell got his GED at Job Corps in Nemo, South Dakota and went on to drive semi-truck and work construction.

Darrell moved to Chamberlain in 1969 with his family where he lived most of his life. He married Denise Emerson in the summer of 1980, moved to Florida and together they had two children Richard and Nicole. Darrell moved back to South Dakota where he married Dawn Hempel for a short time.  He raised his children in South Dakota and they enjoyed traveling and camping.

He won many badges and awards with his cars over the years, a great pride of his.

He enjoyed sharing stories, the stars and planets in the night sky, fishing and being outside, watching NASCAR races, drawing and woodworking, old rock music, collecting rocks and fossils, taking pictures of what he enjoyed, and teaching the kids how to fish. He also enjoyed participating in holiday parades with his Mystery Machine and bringing his car to any car show he could find.

Darrell loved spending time with his family and friends, he was a hard working man that would help anyone he could, stranger or not.

He was a very diligent worker and loved to work on his personal cars along with anyone elses .

He was very proud of his 35+ years of sobriety. He shared the last 15 years of his life with his girlfriend Monica and enjoyed watching movies, playing dice and cards, and caring for their beloved feline friend, Harry Houdini.

Gratefully sharing his life are his girlfriend Monica Michalek of Chamberlain, his children Richard (Liza) of Crestview, Florida; Nicole (Jayson) of Pierre; Chanel of Pierre; 8 grandchildren, and 2 great grandchildren; His siblings Dan (Judy) of Sioux Falls; Dick (Joann) of Mitchell; Nancy of Sioux Falls; Cindy (Tom) of Ft Pierre; Annette (Heath) of Kimball; Scott (Emy) of Las Vegas; and many nieces and nephews he cared for as his own.

Preceding his death were his parents Wayne and Betty; grandparents Ed and Naomi Schooler, and William and Esther Ellis.