Darylann June was born on Saturday, June 24, 1950, in Chesley, to parents Wilmer “Windy” and Betty (Sulkye) Karn. She was the eldest of six girls, with younger sisters Dorinda, Dorothy, Darlene, Dennice, and Doreen soon joining her. The Karn family owned and operated a mixed farm on the sixth concession of Sullivan Township. Darylann attended S.S. #3 Sullivan (Aitcheson School) until grade seven, whereby she had to transfer to S.S. #2 for grade eight, due to over-enrollment. During these early years, Darylann formed a close relationship with both her father and grandmother, Lillian Sulkye, which she treasured. She went on to attend Chesley District High School and completed a special commercial course at Walkerton District High School during her grade twelve year. It was during this period that Darylann attended a barn dance, with her Uncle Gerald near Desboro. Here, she met her future husband who was literally hanging from the rafters of the barn – seriously! Needless to say, Ernie Thompson couldn’t quite remember her name the next time he bumped into her, but he did remember it started with a D. Now normally that would be a good start, but it didn’t help much when talking about the Karn girls.
Following high school Darylann took a job with Shoemakers Insurance in Walkerton as a secretary. She and Ernie started dating in 1967 and were later married on Friday, January 3, 1969. They soon welcomed their daughter, Karen, in April of 1969 before relocating to Guelph, as work took Ernie there. While there, Darylann worked for a cigarette production company, before their family was made complete with the arrival of Kevin in March of 1973. Darylann continued to be a gal of all trades, and together with her family returned to Sullivan Township in 1979. Two years later, Ernie was hired by Ottawa Valley Harvester, where he was eventually promoted to operations manager. The family soon made the move east settling in Kemptville. Here, Darylann remained active within her community, as a member of the Kemptville Kinettes.
Life remained busy for Darylann, and her family, in the years following until their lives were turned upside down by the sudden passing of Ernie in 1991. With the support of family and friends, Darylann and the kids soon found a new normal, where she took over Ernie’s position at Harvester. After a couple of years, and with an empty nest at home, Darylann moved back to Sullivan Township, and Concession 6 to be closer to her family. Being a member of a large family, meant there were always family get-togethers. On one such occasion, Darylann reconnected with Dan Gies. The two had known each other much of their lives but went their separate ways through the 70’s and 80’s. Soon after, Dan asked Darylann to a dance, and as they say, the rest is history. The couple were wed on Saturday, July 29, 1995, at Darylann’s home. The memorable day was made complete with the now famous line from Lisa (Miskie) Nicoll, who told friends, “My aunt married my uncle….” – seriously. Lol! By this time Darylann was working at Interforest and remained with the company until they began downsizing in 2010. Darylann went on to work for a few years at Canadian Tire in Owen Sound, before taking a job back closer to home, at the Chesley Grocery Store, where she was a valued member of their team until her retirement in February of 2023.
Darylann’s days were always full. After a day of work, then came the household chores of yard work, gardening, cutting wood, canning, and baking. Although she always appreciated the warmth of a nice wood-burning stove, cutting the trees was another story. Not once, but twice in her life, Darylann was cut by a chainsaw, and not by her own doing I might add, so when a chainsaw started, she went the other way! In her limited spare time, Darylann enjoyed a variety of crafts, including crocheting and making countless hanging tea towels and dish cloths. Often, her creations ended up at her booth at the Keady Market where she shared her creativity with others. If you knew Darylann, you would all know that she loved to collect birdhouses, just check out the fence posts on her property, as well as everything and anything hummingbirds. She enjoyed the outdoors and was particularly fond of fishing. Countless stories were told of these adventures through the years, from fishing locally during her childhood to fishing trips with family to Sturgeon Lake – she truly had the knack when she had a fishing pole in her hands. Although preferring to stay closer to home, Darylann did experience the likes of New Orleans, Hawaii, Cancun, and San Diego, during her time with Harvester. Back at home, she treasured the summer months, for the sunshine and temperatures. She was a staunch viewer of The Young & The Restless, and loved her liver and onions, as well as ribs.
Family was always important to Darylann, and she always spent as much time with them as she could. It didn’t matter if it were aunts, uncles, brothers-in-law, nieces, nephews, her children, or grandchildren, their presence was always appreciated by Darylann. Unfortunately, tragedy struck her again in 2017, when Kevin died suddenly. This time she was the rock supporting her family as they transitioned to life without Kevin. Darylann always appreciated hearing from her grandchildren and catching up on their busy lives. Last year, she became a great-grandmother – another honour to be proud of. This legacy, and the stories of her shared, will allow her memory to live on in all of us for years to come.
Sadly, in recent months, Darylann health has declined, and she passed away with her loving family by her side, at South Bruce Grey Heath Centre, Chesley on Tuesday, July 23, 2024, in her 75th year.
Beloved wife of Dan Gies. Loving mother of Karen (Henry) Kroes of Waterford, and stepmother of George Gies of Toronto, and Joanne (Rob) Kendrick of Stayner. Cherished grandmother of Paige, Kaitlyn (Randy), and Kyle; step-grandmother of Gracie, Todd, Ashleigh, Jackson, and Kate; and great-grandmother of Kevin. Sister of Dorothy Kaufman, Dorinda (John) Howie, Dennice (Wayne) Fritz, Darlene (Bruce) Schaus, and Doreen (Terry) Walker. She will be fondly remembered by many nieces and nephews. Darylann will be dearly missed by her special friends Sandra Lackie and Charlene Mountain, sisters-in-law Gail Parker, Linda (Len) Karn, Iradelle Thompson, Janet (Rae) Kroeplin, Mary Gutscher, and Rita (Craig) Fairweather, and brothers-in-law John Stewart and George Miskie. Darylann was predeceased by her son Kevin Thompson, first husband Ernie Thompson, her parents, Wilmer “Windy” and Betty (Sulkye) Karn, sister-in-law Betty Stewart, and brothers-in-law, Wayne Thompson, Ken Hamel, Bob Parker, Ken Karn, Herb Gutscher, and Howard Kaufman.
A memorial service honouring Darylann’s life will be held at Rhody Family Funeral Home, Chesley, on Saturday, July 27, 2024, at 1 p.m. A casual reception will follow until 3 p.m. Private family inurnment in Chesley Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations to Diabetes Canada would be appreciated as expressions of sympathy.
Sending sincere condolences to all of the family of Darylann. So very sorry for your terrible loss. Sharon & Terry Stewart
Dan, my deepest sympathies on Darylann’s passing. I remember your wedding day at the farm and what a loving couple you made.
We are sorry to hear of Darylann’s passing 💕Sending our deepest sympathies to all of Darylann’s family and friends .
Dear Karen and your families…..so sorry to hear of Darlyann’s death, our thoughts are with you at this sad time and in times to come….
I worked with Darylann at Canadian Tire and then would see her at the Grocery store,
just a wonderful person , My deepest condolences.
Dan and family, our sincere condolences , sorry for your loss.
Gregory And I would like to offer our support during this difficult time. We send our deepest sympathies and want The family to know that we are here for them in any way they may need. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Kroes and Thompson family during this challenging period.
Our sincere sympathies to the Darylann’s family and friends…she was always cheerful and helpful at the Store. You will miss her sweetness.
Our deepest sympathy to Dan and family. Enjoyed our time working together at Walkerton Motor Sales. Cherish the memories and they will give you comfort through this difficult time.
So sorry for your loss.My sincere sympathies.
With deep. Thinking of you and the families at this trying time. Condolences to yoou Dan and your family
Our deepest condolences to Dan (and family) and the entire Karn families .
Cherish the memories ❤️
I’m so very sorry to hear of Darylann passing and extend my deepest sympathy to her entire family at her passing. May God comfort all of you in your loss.
We’ll really miss Daryl Ann💕She was such a hard worker ! I remember folks saying “Windy and Betty’s 6 girls do more farm work than a family of boys ! Daryl Ann really enjoyed making crafts .My family will always treasure the set of ceramic canisters depicting all 4 seasons that she made . I loved visiting with her and seeing her array of kitchen towels at Keady Market and later on at Gramma Lambs near Meaford . She touched the lives of countless people, and now she is resting in peace , leaving us with fond memories of her 💕💕💕💕
To Dan (and family), the Thompson and Karn families, our deepest condolences. I have so many fond memories in the early years of playing Broomball with Darylann and being team members. She will be missed. We are sorry for your loss.
Very sorry to hear about Darylann. Our sincere condolences.
I remember conducting the wedding to Dan – such a joyous day! My sincere sympathy to all who mourn her death.
To Dan, and Darylann’s family, we were sorry to hear of your loss. Our sincere sympathy to all of you.
To The Karn@Thompson Family:
Our Condolences to all for your loss of Darylynn.
Jeanette@Brian Norris
So saddened to hear of your loss Karen. Our sincere condolences to you, Dan, and the Karn, Thompson, and Gies families. You are in our thoughts. Sending hugs.
Sorry for your loss.
To Dan and Darylann’s entire family – we are so truly sorry for your loss. Keeping you in our thoughts.
As Darylann and l grew up across the road from one another ,we did some crazy things together along with her sisters like riding that wild pony that Wilma bought home ,sled riding down that big hill behind their house and whatever else we could think off. We had a close knit family of Neighbour’s we all worked together helped each other when needed. are so many more things l could think to say ,but Darylann may you rest in peace now. I will miss our chats we had at Keady and seeing you . From an old friend , schoolmate and neighbor you will be missed Mary Hastie Rourke and Dennis
Our sincere condolences to Dan and Darylann’s family, another kind and caring person got way to soon. Rest in peace dear lady.
Deepest condolences to Dan and the entire Karn family over the passing of Darylann.
My condolences to Darylann’s family. Another angel gone to soon 🕊️
My sincere condolences to Darylann’s family. May GOD’s peace, love and comfort surround you all! We will all cherish the memories of being with Darylann. She made the world a better place!
Dan, Karen and families, my heartfelt condolences to you. Darylann will be deeply missed.
Karen and Darylann’s sisters,
Please accept our condolences with Darylann’s passing. Gone way too soon. RIP
Deepest Sympathy in your loss
Condolences and prayers for peace and healing at this very difficult time. May all your memories give you comfort.
Our deepest sympathy to Karen and her family, Dan, the Thompson and Gies families. Cherish all your wonderful memories. Thinking of you at this difficult time.
Sorry to see Murray pass . He was a really decent fellow and certainly worth knowing. I hunted deer with him for quite a few years in Proton township and around Hanover . We eat quite a bit of venison thanks to Murray’s proficiency with a rifle .
The Lackie families send our heartfelt sympathies to the Thompson an Gies families in the loss of Darylann. Who has been my close sister freind for many many years. I shall forever hold her in my heart!