Darlene A. (née Dombrowski) Searcy

Darlene A. Searcy

Age 87 of Romeoville, IL, passed away on Tuesday, October 11, 2022 with her loving family by her side.

Born January 11, 1935 in Chicago, IL, Darlene was a daughter of John and Helen (née Zgliczynski) Dombrowski. She was raised in the Chicago area.

On March 19, 1966, Darlene married Clifford E. Searcy in St. Michael Church, Chicago.

Together they raised four children and resided in Romeoville.

Darlene was actively involved in the United Services Organization supporting the troops locally during the Korean War. She was also a leader of the Romeoville Mets T-ball Team with Joan Hiller and a leader of the Romeoville Roadrunners 4-H Club with Carol Malewicki. She enrolled her own children in 4-H to learn different skillsets. She received a number of awards and honors for her work with the Will County 4-H Youth Foundation and Cooperate Extension Services. She worked her way up as the first female Den mother to Cubmaster in Illinois of Romeoville Pack 20.   Later, she was a Boy Scout Leader with Romeoville Troop 20 and was a distinguished recipient of the Pope Pius XII Award.

Darlene was a member of St. Ambrose Catholic Church, Crest Hill, a former longtime parishioner of St. Andrew the Apostle Parish, Romeoville; a member of their Council of Catholic Women (Woman of the Year 2010), and the manager of the parish gift shop and library.

In her free time, Darlene created many beautiful oil paintings and was a ceramics teacher with Joan Hiller.

Darlene adored her 3 grandchildren. When they came along, it started a whole new chapter in her life. She refocused her purpose to be their sole babysitter, sometimes along with Cliff. There is no question she helped raise them. She imparted her wisdom, generosity, and kind spirit onto them. Her loss will forever leave a hole in their hearts.

Darlene was a born leader and will be truly missed by her family and countless friends.

Survivors include her devoted husband of 56 years, Clifford E. Searcy; loving children, Kenneth (Donna), Michael (Joanna Yi), and Bernadette (Kirsten) Searcy; special grandchildren, Matthew, Colleen and Kyle Searcy; sisters-in-law, Carol Searcy, Judy (Jim) Harrelson, Pat Searcy; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and dear friends.

She was preceded in death by her daughter, Darlene M. Searcy (2016); parents, John and Helen Dombrowski; brother, John (Shirley) Dombrowski, father and mother-in-law, Leonard M. and Ruth A. Searcy, and brothers and sister-in-law, Leonard Searcy, Donald (Laverne) Searcy and Betty (Bob) Schaedel.                                                        

A visitation will be held on Thursday, October 20, 2022 between the hours of 3:00 p.m.  and 7:00 p.m. at Blackburn-Giegerich-Sonntag Funeral Home, 1500 Black Road, Joliet, IL 60435. Funeral services will follow on Friday, October 21, 2022 at 9:15 a.m. with prayers in the funeral home chapel, then processing to St. Ambrose Catholic Church, for a Mass of Christian burial at 10:00 a.m., Rev. Anthony Nyamai officiating.

Cremation rites will be accorded following the Mass and Darlene will be laid to rest beside her daughter at a later date in Resurrection Catholic Cemetery, Romeoville, IL 

Preferred memorials may be made as gifts in Darlene’s memory to: American Cancer Society – PO Box 6704 – Hagerstown, MD 21741- 800-227-2345 or cancer.org.

Relatives and friends are encouraged to sign the online guest book by logging onto:  www.PleseFuneralservices.com.

Funeral services and arrangements have been made under the genuine care and direction of Kenneth A. Plese, in Joliet, IL   815-735-2125.