Darrell Merlin Stinar

Darrell Merlin Stinar, 87, Mandan, North Dakota, passed away Saturday, July 4, 2020, at his home, surrounded by his loving family. A Memorial Service will be held at 10am, Thursday, July 23rd, 2020, at New Song Church, Bismarck. The service will be live streamed for family and friends unable to attend the funeral in person. Family and friends will gather one hour prior to the service. Burial will be at the ND Veterans Cemetery, Mandan at 3pm the same day. Per his wishes, cremation has taken place.
Darrell was born August 30th, 1932, in Fargo, ND, to F.C. "Bud" and Gertrude (Hunter) Stinar. He was raised and educated in Jamestown, ND. He graduated from Jamestown High School in 1950. He worked for a printing company until 1951 when he started an apprenticeship for Northern Pacific Railroad as a machinist.
Darrell joined the US Army on February 19th, 1954. He attended Basic Training at Fort Riley, Kansas with the 10th Infantry Division. He completed Army Airframe Mechanic training at Spartan School of Aeronautics on July 30, 1954. He served overseas during the Korean War; stationed at Nellingen Kaserne US Army airfield and barracks in Ostfildern, Germany. He received a National Defense Service Medal during his military career. He was honorable discharged on January 27th, 1956 at Fort Sheridan, Illinois. After the military, he rejoined Northern Pacific Railroad as a machinist.
Darrell married Ellen (Walsh) in Crookston, MN on May 6th, 1957. They raised three children, Mark, Sandra, and Michael in Jamestown and Mandan, ND. Unfortunately, this marriage was dissolved in 1976.
Darrell met Mary (Leingang) at parents without partners. They married in Mandan on May 20th, 1977. They raised Gary and Vernelle in Mandan, ND. Darrell continued working for Burlington Northern Railroad in Mandan as a machinist until his retirement in August of 1995. He spent 41 years with the railroad, seeing them go from steam engines to diesel, but left shortly before electric engines. Darrell passed his love of trains on to his grandson, Parker.
Darrell loved to travel with his family, including his favorite places of Walt Disney World and Hawaii. His family will always remember his love of fireworks and the 4th of July, where artillery shells and jumping jacks were a part of the celebration every year. When not traveling, he loved to be outdoors. Always gardening, mowing the grass, eating rhubarb with salt on the steps, or just sitting in his swing.
Darrell found a church home and family with New Song Church in Bismarck, ND. He was an active member, attending every Sunday service and special events. His favorite event was Trunk or Treat every Halloween. He looked forward to seeing everyone and getting his hugs from church family and "his" girls from North Dakota Adult and Teen Challenge. He was baptized at New Song on July 5th, 2015.
His family will never forget his sense of humor and quick wit. His laugh and smile were infectious.
He is survived by his wife, Mary; son Gary (Jenny) of Mandan; daughter Vernelle (Robert) of Mandan; son Mark (Jane) of Moose Lake, MN; daughter Sandra of Barnum, MN; 11 grandchildren; 8 great grandchildren; many nieces, nephews, and cousins. His twin brother Duane, brothers Ronald and Delbert; sisters Phyllis and Kathy (Gary); Brother-in-laws Preston (Sharon), Jacob, Bruce (Caroline) and Phillip; Sister-in-law Dorothy (Duane); and his grand-fur babies Bee, Tux, and Potter
Darrell was preceded in death by his grandparents and parents; father and mother-in-law; son Michael; granddaughters LeAnne and Alyssa; brothers-in-law Jerry and Roy; sisters-in-law Betty, Donna, Charlotte, Rosie, Sylvia, and Janet; and his grand-fur babies Cuddles, Chaos, Mystique, and Cocoa.
Funeral arrangements are being made by the family with the comforting guidance of DaWise-Perry Funeral Services, Mandan, North Dakota.