Lee Darnell

Lee Anne Darnell, 49, of Beach Park, IL passed away on Monday, February 16, 2009, at home. Lee Anne was born August 4, 1959, in Decatur, IL, and was a 1977 graduate of Hillcrest High School in Country Club Hills, IL. She was employed as a bookkeeper for her husband's firm, DN Welding and Fabricating in Park City, IL. Lee Anne married Danny Darnell on November 14, 1980 in Palos Park, IL. She loved taking care of her husband, three children, and four family dogs, Dartz, Scooter, Rebel and Barney. Automobile racing was always a big part of her life. Lee Anne met Danny through racing and the two of them spent countless hours on road trips and at race tracks across the country, and continued to do so with their three children. She was proud of all her children's accomplishments and encouraged them to follow their dreams. Lee Anne made life-long friends at the track and in the community with her good-natured spirit and passion for life. Survivors include her husband of 28 years, Danny; sons, Erik (fiancee', Amber Moody) Darnell of Davidson, NC, and Casey Darnell of Chicago, IL; daughter, Dale (fiance', Jeff LaBelle) of Beach Park, IL; father, Dave (Dawn) Metz of Eagle Nest, NM; mother, Eileen (Ron) Smith of Henderson, NV; sister, Leticia (Doug) Jones of Tuscon, AZ; brother, Todd (Eleanor Seidl) Metz of Joliet, IL; nephews, Sean Metz, Bret Metz, and Justin, Tyler, and Bryant Jones. A Funeral Service will be held on Monday, February 23, 2009, at 10:30 a.m. at Congdon Funeral Home, 3012 Sheridan Rd., Zion, IL. Interment will follow at Pineview Memorial Park, Beach Park. Visitation will be on Sunday, February 22, from 5:00-8:00 p.m. at the funeral home. Memorial donations are suggested to Victory Junction Gang Camp, 4500 Adam's Way, Randleman, NC 27317.