Darrell Bellinger

Darrell Bill Bellinger, 83, Navy Veteran and retired USPS Postal Supervisor, passed away Thursday, March 6, 2025. Funeral Services 3:00 PM, Wednesday, March 12, 2025, Broadway Mortuary Chapel. Graveside Service 1:30 PM, Friday, March 14, 2025, at the Fort Scott National Cemetery, Fort Scott, Kansas.

Darrell was born on his grandparents' farm outside of Fort Scott, Kansas, on November 16, 1941. He began his education in a rural one-room schoolhouse before moving to Wichita with his family as a third grader, where he went on to attend McCormick Elementary, Allison Junior High, West High School, and finally South High School, graduating in 1960 as part of the school's very first class.

Upon graduation, Darrell enlisted in the US Navy, serving from 1960 to 1964. During these years he traveled the world aboard the USS Van Voorhis, a destroyer escort, visiting ports throughout Europe and Africa, crossing the equator, and taking part in the Cuban Missile Crisis blockade. Despite his frequent travel across the world during this time, he often boasted that he never missed a Christmas at home with his family in Wichita.

During a Thanksgiving visit to Fort Scott in 1966, Darrell's aunt set him up on a blind date with a young woman who worked with her at the local hospital. Six weeks later, having only seen each other on the weekends, he and Cheryl Lombard headed to Miami, Oklahoma, to elope, beginning a 58-year marriage which resulted in two children and two grandchildren.

Darrell settled in to married life and went to work at the US Postal Service in Wichita, where he worked for several years as a mail carrier before moving into supervision. He retired from the Postal Service in 1992.

Darrell was an avid hunter throughout his life, even taking his future wife squirrel hunting with his cousins on their second date. She still willingly married him.

Given the opportunity to choose his own middle name as a child, he chose the name Bill in honor of a radio show cowboy, thus becoming Darrell Bill. The selection of Bill over William demonstrated not only his mother's great patience, but also that children sometimes make questionable decisions.

Darrell often said he never wore shorts because Roy Rogers didn't wear shorts. The family is unsure of Roy Rogers' actual opinion on shorts.

A Navy man through and through, Darrell never missed the opportunity to take his kids to see ships while on vacation. Perhaps ironically, his son, daughter-in-law and son-in-law all opted for careers in the Air Force instead.

Darrell's number one priority was his family. He was an amazing husband, dad and grandpa.

Darrell was preceded in death by his parents Ardath and John Bellinger and his brother Clifford Merle Bellinger. Survivors include his wife of 58 years, Cheryl; son, Leigh Bellinger and his wife Michelle; daughter, Jennifer Bellinger-Sipes and husband Michael Sipes; grandchildren Devon and Riley Sipes; and sister, Virginia Lauthen and husband Stephen. Darrell will be greatly missed by his friends and family.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be sent to:
McCormick School Museum
P.O. Box 12881
Wichita, Kansas 67277

More information on McCormick, as well as online donation information, 
can be found at https://mccormickschoolmuseuminc.com