Darrel D. Motter

Darrel D. Motter, 84, of Bucyrus, died Sunday, November 12, 2023 at Altercare of Bucyrus.

He was born October 17, 1939 in Tod Twp, Crawford County to the late Clarence P. and Rowema (McLaughlin) Motter. Darrel was a 1957 graduate of Nevada High School and was proud to have served in the Army National Guard for six years. On October 20, 1963 he married Nancy Jean Holtshouse and she survives.

Darrel, or “Windy” as referred to by his CB handle spent much of his working life as a truck driver. He drove for Carpenter Bros., Egner, PPG and retired from USF Holland in 2004. Throughout his years of traveling the open roads, Darrel also fed his entrepreneurial side by selling various products as a side gig. He first sold 914 Green Concentrate, a soap which he also used when operating Motter’s Porta Wash; a portable power washing truck that he built and washed homes, buildings, airplanes, trucks and anything else that the customer needed. Darrel later sold microfiber towels and mops, better known as Motter’s Microfiber.  He enjoyed socializing with folks and always had “the gift of gab”, which is quite possibly where “Windy” came from. He could give directions to just about anywhere, recommend the best place to eat along the way and point out every place to get an ice-cold Pepsi, his beverage of choice. Darrel loved driving and following his professional truck driving career, he became a chauffeur of sort by transporting people in his conversion van to and from the airport or to other desired destinations. All while sharing his life experiences and listening to others. It’s a given that if drivers are needed in Heaven, Darrel would be happy to volunteer and is probably keeping pretty busy.

He was a longtime member of Woodlawn GMC, Crawford Antique Farm Machinery Association and Whetstone Vol. Fire Department. Darrel enjoyed time spent with family and loved following his grandchildren with their activities. He enjoyed the Crawford County Fair and was grateful for the opportunity of transporting folks around the fair using his John Deere “B” and a shuttle from the Farm Machinery Assoc.  He and Nancy spent many Saturday evenings dining with friends at Taylor’s in Galion and the last and probably best advice he gave to his kids and grandkids was “keep working”.

In addition to Nancy, his wife of 60 years, Darrel is survived by four children, Laurie (John) Reynolds, Sherri (Mike) Strouse, Mike (Melissa) Motter and Dawn (Sam) Failor; 10 grandchildren, Kailey (Cody) Kerr, Kristen (Chad Ray) Reynolds, Kerri Reynolds, Austin Strouse, Ethan Strouse, Lydia Strouse, Claudia (Cole) Simon, Nic Motter, Nathan Rossman, and Natalie (Dillon) Ochier; three great grandchildren, Poppy and Olive Kerr and Kyler Simon; one brother, Paul (Joyce) Motter as well as many nieces, nephews and extended family members.

Darrel was preceded in death by his parents, Clarence and Rowema and three siblings, Milton Motter, Ruth Ann Leonhart and Jerry Motter.

Calling hours for Darrel will be held from 4 – 7 pm Friday, November 17 at Wise Funeral Service, where his service will be held at 11:00 am Saturday with his nephew, Pastor Steve Motter officiating. Burial will follow in Nevada Cemetery.

If desired, donations can be made payable to Woodlawn GMC, Col. Crawford Athletic Boosters, Crawford Antique Farm Machinery Assoc. or to the Whetstone VFD. These gifts will be accepted through the funeral home and expressions of sympathy are encouraged to be shared on his tribute wall at www.wisefuneral.com.