Darrell A. Viola, 65, of Pleasant Prairie, passed away peacefully on Monday, April 4, 2016, after a courageous battle with Pancreatic Cancer. He was nestled in his sunroom, surrounded by his loving family.
Born on October 4, 1950, in Kenosha, he was the son of the late Dante and Angela (Rossi) Viola. He was a 1968 graduate of St. Joseph’s High School and a 1972 graduate of Drake University, where he played defensive line for the Bulldogs.
On September 6, 1975, he married the love of his life, Kathleen “Kathy” Schlenker at St. Mark’s Catholic Church.
Darrell was employed as a mortgage banker for Gateway Mortgage for over 27 years. Prior to that, he was selected as Realtor of the Year by his peers. The same year, he served as President for the Kenosha Board of Realtors. In 1996 he was inducted into the Sports Hall of Fame at St. Joseph’s High School in celebration of his accomplishments on the football field.
Darrell was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church. He enjoyed traveling, watching his children’s sporting events, and golfing. He treasured the time he spent with his family and friends.
Darrell is survived by his wife of 40 years, Kathy; four children, Mandy (Matt) Weiss, Leo (Ericka) Viola, Dreu (Rachael) Viola and Hailey (Joe) Kohut, all of the Kenosha area; nine grandchildren, Ryan, Fiona, Zoe, Scarlet, Livi, Domenico, Adriana, Leo and Baby Kohut on the way; five siblings, Gayle Swanson, Randy (Kathy) Viola, Linda Buchholz, Barbara (Thomas) Josephs and Dan (Terri) Viola; brothers and sisters in-law, Tom (Carolina) Schlenker, Tim Schlenker, Terry (Susan Andrea) Schlenker, Kris (George Vanecek) Schlenker, Karolyn (Bill) O’Toole, Ted Schlenker, Todd (Sue Bolly) Schlenker, Toby (Marcela) Schlenker and Kim (Mark) Broderick; one aunt, Mary Cardinali; and two uncles, Frank (Beverly) Rossi and Richard Schlenker. He is further survived by many cherished cousins, nieces, nephews and friends.
Darrell will forever be remembered for his kindness, his concern for others, and the way he loved and supported his family and friends. Big D was adored by everyone who knew him. He always had a funny joke or story to share, and his smile was contagious.
He was preceded in death by his parents; in-laws, Leo and Betty Schlenker; brother-in-law, Jim Swanson, Sr.; and nephews, Corey T. Schlenker and James Swanson, Jr.
The family would like to extend a special “Thank You” to Dr. Jim Santarelli, Dr. Malik Bandealy, Dr. Benjo, Dr. Mary, Dr. Todd, Hospice Alliance and all of their family and dear friends. Darrell was well aware of and humbled by the out pouring of support, love and prayers he received throughout this difficult time. It was more than our family could have imagined, and we cannot find the words to express the gratitude we feel.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday, April 11th, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church at 11:00 a.m. Interment will follow at All Saints Cemetery. Visitation will be held on Sunday at Proko Funeral Home from 2:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorials to St. Joseph Catholic Academy would be appreciated by the family.