Darrel Eugene Bethel passed away Oct. 12 at his home in Antelope, surrounded by loved ones.

Darrel was born Oct. 31, 1935, in Anton, Colo., to Lee and Bertie Bethel (Threlkel). He moved to Salem as a toddler. He went to school in Shaw, and then went to Cascade High School where he met and fell in love with his high school sweetheart, Betty (Knieling). After marrying in 1952, they moved to Antelope, where Darrel worked on a ranch. They then moved back to the Willamette Valley where Darrel and Betty raised three beautiful daughters, Susan, Cindy, and Laurie. Darrel and Betty started and ran a very successful construction business. He loved this line of work and instilled a good work ethic in his children and grandchildren because of his example. Family was always the most important part of his life. He was a firm believer in the saying, “Work hard, play hard.”

He enjoyed playing cards, hunting, boating, camping, and exploring the wilderness on snow machines, four-wheelers, and horses. He took his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren on rattlesnake hunts any chance he got. He was known as quite the jokester and sometimes got into trouble with his own children for jokes or pranks played on the grandkids. “Don’t tell your mother” and “Don’t tell Granny” often followed these jokes. He loved to travel all across the United States in the motor home with his wife, Betty, chasing Indian history and following battles of the Civil War from the beginning to the end. Darrel always enjoyed all life had to offer.

Life has come full circle for Darrel and Betty. They spent the last five years of their life back in Antelope helping a long-time friend, he loved like a brother, on his cattle ranch. He loved working on the ranch and ran it as if it were his own. The cows, deer, elk, antelope, wild pigs, coyotes, bobcats, and eagles; he enjoyed them all.

In the words of a Suquamish chief, “There is no death. Only a change of worlds.” — Seattle (1786-1866).

Darrel is survived by his wife, Betty; brother, Dwain (Joan); daughters, Susan Swank (Dean), Cindy Schmaltz (Steve), and Laurie Jensen (Alan); six grandchildren, Traci, Jasmin, Nikki, Ashley, Logan, Amanda; and eight great-grandchildren, Kayla, Kyle, Karlee, Caleb, Kolton, Ellie, Jaden, and Quinn.

He was preceded in death by two infant daughters, Linda Kay and Kathy Darleen; parents, Lee and Bertie Bethel; three brothers, Ralph, Melvin, and Norman; and two sisters, Betty and Bonnie.

A celebration of life will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 30, at the Salem Elks Lodge, 2336 Turner Road SE in Salem. Arrangements are under the direction of Bel-Air Colonial funeral Home in Madras, 541-475-2241.