David Michael Darato
October 13th, 1959 - January 28th, 2025
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David's Obituary
David M. Darato, 65, of St. Joseph, passed away on Tuesday, January 28, 2025, at his home.
A Celebration of Life Memorial Service will be held on Tuesday, February 4, at 11 AM at Starks & Menchinger Chapel, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph. Friends may visit with the family one-hour prior at the funeral home. Interment will follow at Calvary Cemetery in Benton Harbor. Memorial contributions may be made to The Marfan Foundation, www.marfan.org. Those wishing to leave an online condolence may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com.
David was born on October 13, 1959, in Watervliet, to Dominick & Delores (Torkilsen) Darato. He attended Lake Michigan Catholic High School, graduating in 1978 and would continue his education at Lake Michigan College, where he would earn an associate’s degree in business. Professionally, David was employed at Whirlpool Corporation, where he held a variety of titles for nearly 30 years before he retired. On June 1, 2001, David would marry the love of his life, Audrey Lowe, at St. Bernard Catholic Church in Benton Harbor. One of his hobbies was traveling to different states and making sure he was able to do all the sightseeing and experiencing all the opportunities available to tourists. Having a mindset of ‘you’re never too old to stop learning’, David enjoyed watching YouTube videos that would teach him about new and different topics. However, what David enjoyed most was spending time with his grandson, Steven.
David is survived by his wife of nearly 24 years, Audrey; stepdaughter, Jill (Keith) Chapman of Coloma; step-grandchildren, Alexandra (Brendan) Wilcox, Austin Chapman, and Steven Chapman; siblings, Raymond (Lizbeth) Darato, Bonnie (Michael) Estkowski and Christine (Christopher) Jones; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents, Dominick & Delores, and brother, Alan Darato.
A Celebration of Life Memorial Service will be held on Tuesday, February 4, at 11 AM at Starks & Menchinger Chapel, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph. Friends may visit with the family one-hour prior at the funeral home. Interment will follow at Calvary Cemetery in Benton Harbor. Memorial contributions may be made to The Marfan Foundation, www.marfan.org. Those wishing to leave an online condolence may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com.
David was born on October 13, 1959, in Watervliet, to Dominick & Delores (Torkilsen) Darato. He attended Lake Michigan Catholic High School, graduating in 1978 and would continue his education at Lake Michigan College, where he would earn an associate’s degree in business. Professionally, David was employed at Whirlpool Corporation, where he held a variety of titles for nearly 30 years before he retired. On June 1, 2001, David would marry the love of his life, Audrey Lowe, at St. Bernard Catholic Church in Benton Harbor. One of his hobbies was traveling to different states and making sure he was able to do all the sightseeing and experiencing all the opportunities available to tourists. Having a mindset of ‘you’re never too old to stop learning’, David enjoyed watching YouTube videos that would teach him about new and different topics. However, what David enjoyed most was spending time with his grandson, Steven.
David is survived by his wife of nearly 24 years, Audrey; stepdaughter, Jill (Keith) Chapman of Coloma; step-grandchildren, Alexandra (Brendan) Wilcox, Austin Chapman, and Steven Chapman; siblings, Raymond (Lizbeth) Darato, Bonnie (Michael) Estkowski and Christine (Christopher) Jones; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents, Dominick & Delores, and brother, Alan Darato.
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