Darrell Lee Seelye

Darrell Lee Seelye, 78, of rural Manito, passed away peacefully on October 23, 2026, surrounded by his loved ones. He was born on October 1, 1948, to Lester Seelye and Pearl (Azbell) Seelye.

Darrell graduated from Pekin High School in 1966. He married the love of his life, Shirley, on November 22, 1974. Together, they built a wonderful life centered around family, laughter, and love.

Darrell’s greatest pride and joy was the family he and Shirley built together. He is survived by his four sons: Scott (Paula) Seelye of Lorena, Texas; Bill (Meagan) Seelye of Pleasanton, Texas; Josh (Brandee) Seelye of Brimfield, Illinois; and Jason Seelye of St. Charles, Illinois. He also leaves behind fourteen grandchildren—Billy, Lauren, Kaitlyn, Joshua, Noah, Austin, Bailee, Madison, Connor, Tanner, Wyatt, Parker, Kendall, and Payton—and two great-grandchildren, Owen and Cora.

He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Shirley Seelye; his daughter, Karla Seelye; his parents, Lester Seelye and Pearl (Azbell) Seelye; his sister, Donna Mounts; and his brother, Marvin Seelye.

Darrell dedicated nearly 40 years of his life to Caterpillar, beginning his career on the shop floor and working his way up to foreman and eventually superintendent. Later, his manufacturing expertise took him around the world, where he helped improve processes and reduce waste at Caterpillar facilities. He enjoyed sharing stories about his travels and fondly remembered the places he visited and the experiences he had along the way. He took great pride in his work and was known for his strong work ethic and dedication.

Darrell enjoyed spending his free time golfing, fishing, hunting, cheering on his favorite teams—the Chicago Bears and St. Louis Cardinals—and visiting the Florida Keys. Family vacations were especially important to Darrell. Every year, he made it a priority to organize a family vacation, a tradition he and Shirley continued long after their children had grown and started families of their own. Even as the family spread across the country, these annual gatherings brought everyone together to reconnect, enjoy each other's company, and create lasting memories.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, October 29, 2026, from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at Henderson Funeral Home & Crematory in Pekin, with funeral services immediately following. Pastor Barnes will officiate. Burial will take place at Glendale Memorial Gardens in Pekin. Following the burial, family and friends are invited to gather at the Miller Center in Pekin for food and to share memories of Darrell.

Memorial donations may be made in Darrell’s name to Richard L. Owens Hospice Home, the American Cancer Society, Whitney’s Walk for Suicide Prevention and Awareness, or the Illinois River Valley Special Recreation Association (IRVSRA).