Sgt. Vern T Darlington Jr., 76, son of Vern T Darlington Sr. and Theo V Ebert (deceased) passed away in the loving arms of his family, on Saturday, August 29, 2015 at Munson Medical Center in Traverse City, MI. He was a police officer for the Wixom police department for over 30 years. After he retired in 1995, he spent his time traveling between his homes: Lake Leelanau, MI and W. Melbourne, FL.

In 2004 he met his lovely wife, Kathleen, in Rockledge Florida at the Space Coast RV Park. He was staying in his RV there after his home in W. Melbourne was destroyed by hurricanes Frances and Jean. They married in 2006 and traveled amongst their 3 homes in Michigan, Florida and Rhode Island. They lived the dream to which we all aspire. Vern and his family are lifelong summer residents of Lake Leelanau. He always loved his time by the Lake and enjoying the beautiful scenery here in Leelanau county and Sleeping Bear Dunes.

He is survived by his wife, Kathleen Gannon Darlington, Greenville, RI, his brother, Frank Darlington (Cheryl) from Kalkaska, MI, his daughters: Deborah Roark (Mike), of Harrogate TN, Terry Housley (Brian) of Belleville MI, his son, Vern T Darlington III (Stefanie), of Waco, TX, four Grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. He also has two stepdaughters, Carolyn and Michelle DiRaimo of RI.

Sadly, his life was cut short due to being diagnosed with Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis, a rare fatal lung disease that has no cure at the present time. The Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation will gratefully accept any memorial donations in honor of Vern.

A private ceremony will be held on Lake Leelanau. There will be an informal celebration of his life in September in Greenville, RI, and a Chapel memorial in Melbourne, Florida in October