Darlene Sylvester

Oneda Darlene Sylvester, 69, of Tuscola, IL passed away at 7:02 AM on Monday, September 21, 2026 at Carle Foundation Hospital in Urbana, IL.

A Celebration of Life service will be held at 1:00 PM on Saturday, September 26, 2026 at the Edwards Funeral Home, 221 East Main St., Arcola, IL.

Darlene was born on April 6, 1957 in Loogootee, IN. She was a daughter of Albert “Bud” and Edna (Chupp) Graber.

She is survived by one daughter, Mandy Sylvester of Thompsonville, IL, two grandsons, Braxton and Connor Householder, her mother, Edna Graber of Sullivan, IL, sister, Bed (Art) Rettig of Atwood, IL, and a brother, Daryl (Debbie) Graber of Tuscola, IL, a brother-in-law, John Beasley of Texas, several nieces, nephews and cousins, near and far.

She was preceded in death by her father, Bud Graber, and a sister, Kathy Beasley.

As a child, Darlene was enamored with her animal friends, she even would ride a pig or chase the chickens. Darlene graduated from Atwood-Hammond High School in 1977. Her favorite place to work was at Dixie Truckers Home, in Tuscola, IL. The musicians she met were a highlight that she spoke of often. Some of her hobbies were coloring in books, and posters, and she was an avid reader. She crocheted blankets, but her favorite was making Angels.