Darlene F. ‘Chick’ Caylor, age 77, of Merrill, died Monday, March 23, 2015, at St. Clare’s Hospital, Weston.
Darlene was born November 20, 1937, in Lincoln County, daughter of the late Paul and Adeline (Burnett) Zoellner. She married Thomas W. ‘Bill’ Caylor on January 28, 1961, at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church, Merrill. He preceded her in death on December 13, 2004. Darlene was a homemaker and also assisted her husband at ‘Caylor’s Corners’, Merrill. She was a member of the Merrill V.F.W. Post 1638 Auxiliary, and the Merrill Historical Society. Darlene was an excellent cook. She enjoyed spending time at the family cabin in the Town of Rock Falls; spending time with her family, grandchildren, and sisters during the holidays; and participating in plays and singing with the choir at Pine Crest Nursing Home.
Survivors include her daughter, Leah (Brian) Henkelman of Irma; two sons, Pat Caylor (with Loretta Walsh) of Boston, Massachusetts, and Tom Caylor of Mountain View, California; five grandchildren, Mitchell, Lexy, and Alli Henkelman, and Christopher and Sarah Caylor; four sisters, Gene (John) Cotter of Merrill, Lois (Reid) Hamlin of Oshkosh, Fern (Ike) Bacher of Merrill, and Shelly Newman of Merrill; her in-laws, Butch Olivotti of Irma, Don Morrell of Newald, WI, Kathryn Sensenbrenner of Madison, Mary (Eldred) Kufahl of Merrill, Margaret (Myron) Oestreich of Merrill, Peter (Colleen) Caylor of Fairfax Station, Virginia, Timothy (Donna) Caylor of Irma, Kathleen Caylor of Merrill, and Daniel (Carol) Caylor of Merrill; and many nieces and nephews, including her special niece and goddaughter, Kelly Wistein. Darlene was preceded in death by her husband, Thomas ‘Bill’ Caylor; her parents, Paul and Adeline Zoellner; two sisters, Kathy Olivotti and Pat Morrell; an infant brother, Sonny Zoellner; and a brother-in-law, Michael Caylor, Sr.
Darlene’s family wishes to thank the staff at Pine Crest Nursing Home, Merrill, for the wonderful care given to their mother.
The funeral will begin at 11:00 A.M. Friday, March 27, 2015, at Trinity Lutheran Church, Merrill. The Rev. Scott Gustafson will officiate. Burial will follow in Merrill Memorial Park Cemetery. Visitation will be from 4:00 P.M. until 7:00 P.M. Thursday at the Taylor-Stine Funeral Home, Merrill, and after 10:00 A.M. Friday at the church.
Online condolences may be made at www.taylorstinefuneralhome.com
Memorials may be directed to Pine Crest Nursing Home Activity Fund, Trinity Lutheran Church, the Merrill City Band, or the Merrill Historical Society.