Darleen Best

ROCHELLE, Ill. — Patricia Darleen Best, 84, passed away unexpectedly Wednesday, Aug. 23, 2023.

Darleen was born on July 31, 1939, to Hubert and Rosa (Thompson) Sitzes in Sikeston, Missouri. On March 21, 1970, she married Lewis “Buck” Best in Rochelle. He preceded her in death on April 11, 2010.

Darleen and her husband, Buck, owned and operated Best Welding, started Masterbend and collaborated with friends in the development of the Windover Park subdivision in Hillcrest.  Darleen loved spending time with her family and was very loving and generous especially with her grandchildren.

In addition to her parents and husband, Buck, she is preceded in death by an infant son, Dusty Barnett; daughter, Karen Barnett; and three brothers, James “Winkie.” Eugene and Sharon Sitzes.

Darleen is survived by five children: Chuck Barnett of Rochelle, Julie (Terrence) Mendyk of Plover, Wisconsin, Melinda Barnett of Ohio, Nancy (Joel) Russell of Rochelle and Valesia (Jason Bunger) Best of Cortland, Illinois; two brothers, Douglas Sitzes of Blodgett, Missouri, and Dwayne Sitzes of Sikeston; sister, Charlotte “Roena” Greer of Urbana, Missouri; nine grandchildren, Christina and Robert Grimm, Jessica Locke, Gwendolyn Robles, Charles “Mitch” Barnett, Wyatt Chagin, Nolan Bunger, Travis and Zachary Russell; and eight great-grandchildren.

There will be a visitation from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., Monday, Aug. 28, 2023, at the Unger-Horner Funeral Home, 400 N. 6th St., Rochelle. There will be a private family funeral service held with Pastor Doug Askew officiating.

Burial will follow the service at Lawnridge Cemetery in Rochelle.

Visit www.ungerhorner.com to sign the online guest book.

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Memorials may be made in Darleen’s memory to Crossroads Community Church.