Daryl Lee Staley, 78, of Fort Myers, Fla., was called home on Nov. 9, 2023.

He was born to Jean (Hurst) and Stanley Staley on June 22, 1945, in Greencastle.

Daryl was a 1963 graduate of Cloverdale High School. He earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in history education from Indiana State University. Upon graduation, he began teaching U.S. history at Owen Valley Middle School, where he spent 40 years teaching and inspiring students. It is also where he met the love of his life, Darla, whom he married on July 22, 1986.

After retiring and leaving their farm in Quincy, Daryl and Darla enjoyed traveling. It didn’t matter whether they were traveling the world or simply on a boat fishing; you would always find Darla and Daryl together. Their relationship is a testament to what true love is.

Daryl was an avid sports fan, often considered a sports encyclopedia by his friends. He brought this love of sports into the classroom and the hearts of his students by coaching boys’ basketball teams, and was one of the inaugural coaches for the Owen Valley football program.

Daryl served his country in the Indiana Army National Guard.

Daryl is survived by his wife, Darla; sister-in-law Pam Staley of Plainfield; nephew Jeff Staley (Jaime) of Mokena, Ill.; niece Mindy Smith (Brett) of Plainfield; and many cherished and loving great nieces, nephews and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his father, mother and brother Gary Staley.

Daryl will be memorialized as part of a living legacy in Eternal Reefs off the coast of Sarasota, Fla., in June 2024 and a celebration of life at Fort Myers Beach.

Memorials may be sent to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research or the Cape Coral, Fla., animal shelter.