Obituary
Daryl Lee Staley, of Ft. Myers, FL, was called home on November 9th at the age of 78. He was born to Jean
(Hurst) and Stanley Staley on June 22, 1945, in Greencastle, Indiana.
Daryl was a 1963 graduate of Cloverdale High School. He earned his Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees in
History Education from Indiana State University. Upon graduation, he began teaching 8th grade U.S. History at
Owen Valley Middle School in Spencer, IN, where he would spend the following 40 years teaching, coaching,
and inspiring students. It is also where we would meet the love of his life, Darla, whom he married on July 22,
1986.
After retiring and leaving their farm in Quincy, IN., Daryl and Darla enjoyed traveling and visiting many
countries. You would always find Daryl and Darla together. It didn’t matter whether they were traveling the
world or simply on a boat fishing in the back bay of Fort Myers Beach; Daryl and Darla just loved to spend time
together. Their relationship is a testament to what true love is. While Daryl will be greatly missed, he is
ever-present in the lives of those who love him.
Daryl was an avid sports fan, often thought of as a sports encyclopedia by his friends. He could rattle off nearly
every statistic about his teams: Dallas Cowboys, Indianapolis Colts, San Antonio Spurs, and Purdue. He
brought this love of sports into the classroom and the hearts of his middle school students by coaching
numerous boy’s basketball teams. He was even one of the inaugural coaches for the Owen Valley Football
Program.
Daryl served his country in the Indiana Army National Guard.
Daryl is survived by his loving wife, Darla: sisters-in-law Pam Staley of Plainfield, IN and LeVona Anderson
(Bill) of Round Rock, TX; nephew Jeff Staley (Jaime) of Mokena, IL; Nieces Mindy Smith (Brett) of Plainfield,
IN, Katie Anderson of Round Rock TX, Shawna Marks (Nick) of Canyon TX, and Ashey Bowers (Chris) of
Round Rock TX, and many cherished and loving great nieces, nephews and cousins. He was preceded in
death by his father, mother, and brother Gary Staley.
Daryl will be memorialized as part of a living legacy in the Eternal Reef off the coast of Sarasota, FL in June
2024 and a Celebration of Life at Ft. Myers Beach.
Memorials may be sent to: Michael J Fox Parkinson’s Foundation, the Davis Phinney Foundation for
Parkinson’s, or Cape Coral FL Animal Shelter.
I ask God to comfort you. I have many years of good memories with the both of you.
Much love,
Laura (Kean) Grogan
I am so sorry to hear of Daryl’s passing. I pray all your memories will help ease the pain. I have such great memories of you and hope you are doing ok.
Love,
Janet (McBride) Inman
So sorry to learn of Daryl’s passing. So many good memories of working with you both. Keeping you in my thoughts and prayers.
You and Daryl were always so sweet and kind to me during my time teaching at OVMS. I hold fond memories of both of you and especially Daryl’s sense of humor.
I’m praying for your strength at this time in your life. May God envelope you in his arms and bring you comfort. It’s hard, so extremely hard, but know you are not alone.
My love,
Marilyn Krohn Newman Gress
Martha