Darrel Gene Schieler, 81, passed away on Saturday, November 2, 2024 at Magnolia Regional Health Center. He was born on September 12, 1943, and lived a life rich with hard work, love, and ingenuity until his passing on November 2, 2024. Raised in California’s San Joaquin Valley, Darrel came from a farming family. His father, Edgar “Doc” Schieler, was known for his resilience, starting out with a mule before tractors became commonplace. His mother, Beatrice “Bea” Schieler, was the heart of the family, a kind soul with an exceptionally renowned talent for cooking and an endless capacity for kindness. From Bea, Darrel inherited a profound generosity and warmth that he carried into every part of his life.
From a young age, Darrel displayed a natural affinity for agriculture and mechanics. He grew up farming with his father and brother, Larry, working side by side in the fields. This early experience gave him both a deep respect for hard work and a creative problem-solving spirit. In 1980, Darrel and his wife, Jo Anne, moved near Houston, Missouri, where they ran a small dairy together with their children. From milking cows to fixing equipment, Darrel involved the whole family, showing his kids the value of hard work and family collaboration. These years on the dairy were some of his hardest and most fulfilling, and he took pride in the challenges they overcame together.
In 1987, Darrel returned to California and rejoined Larry in farming. Not long after, they co-founded Schieler Harvester, combining their mechanical skills and innovative minds to push the boundaries of agricultural equipment. Over the years, Darrel and Larry, along with Darrel’s sons and Larry’s son, Nick, completely redesigned the “shaker” harvester, creating one of the most advanced machines in the industry. With Darrel’s engineering insight, they developed a revolutionary wrap system and a precise hydraulic design that turned the shaker into a nearly fully automated and computer-controlled marvel. This machine became a visual testament to Darrel’s genius in mechanical design, embodying his commitment to innovation and excellence.
Darrel was a generous man who loved sharing his knowledge without ever making others feel small. He took great joy in teaching others, explaining even the most intricate mechanical details with patience and a good-natured humor. He was known for his skillful welding, crafting perfect seams with the kind of finesse only years of experience can bring. He loved seeing what he built with his own hands harvesting in the fields all day. Even still, for Darrel, the reward was less about the achievements themselves and more about the people around him and the joy of creating something new and sharing that with them.
Outside of work, Darrel’s passions were as varied as they were vibrant. He had a natural athleticism and loved to water ski with his brother in his younger days. He even earned his pilot’s license in his twenties, which gave him the thrill of adventure and freedom. His love of country music was ever-present; he played on weekends at local honky tonks even after working 16-hour days on the farm. Even though he never “hit it big” with his own country music album and various singles of original songs he wrote while driving the tractor all day, his voice and guitar brought joy to everyone who heard him. Music was a language through which he connected with people, and he never passed up the chance to “jam” with friends and family.
Darrel was not only a great storyteller, sharing tales of his youth and the hilarities of farm life, but he also loved to dote on his children, often recalling funny stories from their younger years. His kids adored him, and he always made time to share in their lives, passing on his knowledge, laughter, and kindness. Whether it was a quiet moment or a boisterous family gathering, Darrel’s love for his family was constant.
In his later years, Darrel and his wife Dolores moved to Corinth, Mississippi, where he finally found time to pursue a lifelong dream: restoring classic tractors. When that became too physically demanding, he turned his talents to crafting custom guitars, each a work of art that reflected his lifelong blend of mechanical skill and creative passion. He spoke with deep respect about both Jo Anne and Dolores, cherishing the memories he shared with them and the companionship they provided. He enjoyed Jo Anne’s sense of humor and loved Dolores’ gourmet cooking.
Darrel Gene Schieler’s legacy lives on through his beloved family, including his wife Dolores, his former wife Jo Anne, his children Dawn, Damon, and Dustin, his stepdaughter Kimberly, his eight grandchildren, Dara, Ashley, Joshua, Amber, Zoey, Aly, Logan, and Marley, his two great-grandchildren, Cooper and Carley, his brother, Larry Schieler, and his sister, Linda Beene. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, Bill Schieler. Darrels humor, his dedication to hard work, and his love for storytelling and music left an indelible mark on everyone who knew him. His life was a testament to kindness, resilience, and the joy of always finding new ways to make life better for those around him. Darrel’s memory will be cherished by all who knew and loved him. Magnolia Funeral Home is honored to care for the family of Darrel Gene Schieler.
