Darlene F. Staley

Darlene F. Staley, beloved mother and wife age 92 of Glen Carbon, IL, died Thursday, January 15, 2026, at Anderson Hospital in Maryville, IL. She was born on Friday, August 18, 1933, in Saint Jacob, IL, the daughter of Oliver and Frances (nee Fehmel) Frey. On Saturday, May 1, 1954, she married Kenneth Staley at St. Jacob UCC, St. Jacob, Illinois. Darlene graduated from St. Jacob High School and then Graduated from Secretarial School in St. Louis, MO. Darlene worked at Phillips 66 in St. Louis for 7 years as a secretary. She then was self-employed and did electrolysis out of her home. She was a member of St. Jacob UCC and was active at Keystone Church & Bible Study. Darlene was also a member of Phillips 66 Sorority Girls, Red Hat Club, Book Clubs, Collinsville Women’s Club (past president), Woman of the Hats, former PTA at Collinsville grade school and high School and a former leader of Brownies and Girl Scouts. Darlene enjoyed her weekly domino’s club. She loved gardening, farming, candle making and sewing. Darlene also enjoyed going to flea markets and auctions. She loved spending time with her family and grandson, Nicolas, whose youth she was a big part of. She resided at Keystone Place at Magnolia Commons in Edwardsville, she fit in quickly and up until the end Darlene maintained her kindness, compassion, appreciation of beauty, love of family and friends, and expressed gratitude for her long life, full of wonderful and varied experiences. Survivors include her children - Dawn (Tom) Burg and David (Kelly) Staley; grandchildren - Nicolas Burg and Theresa Davinroy; nieces & nephews - Karen (Jerry) Orf, Jeff (Sandy) Frey, Greg Frey, Gwen (Bud) Mckinnon, Peggy (Dave) Colgate, Terry (Sara) Gross, Danny (Mary) Gross, Tina (Jerry) Raske and Kim (Mark) Lew; and many great Nieces & nephews She was preceded in death by her husband Kenneth Staley; parents - Oliver Frey and Frances Frey, (nee Fehmel); sister - Chlorine (William) Michel; sisters-In-Law - Betty (Bud) Gross, Verla (Morris) Moser and Gladys (Pete) Frey; father-In-Law & mother-In-Law - Henry & Lena (nee Reinacher) Staley and nieces - Nancy Stanley, Jill Frey, great niece Katy Orf and step grand-daughter Lindsey Adams. Arrangements are being handled by Spengel-Boulanger Funeral Home in Highland, IL. Visitation will be held from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM on Saturday, January 24, 2026, at St. Jacob United Church of Christ in St. Jacob, IL. Funeral Service will be at 12:00 PM on Saturday, January 24, 2026, at St. Jacob United Church of Christ in St. Jacob, IL, with Pastor Philip Barbia, officiating. Interment will be at Keystone Cemetery in Saint Jacob, IL. Memorial contributions may be made to American Heart Association, Lindsey & Adam Zimmer Scholarship Fund at SIUE or Jill Frey Scholarship Fund at Highland High School.

Darlene F. Staley

August 18, 1933 - January 15, 2026