Darwin C. Milarch age 79 of Manistee, Michigan, died Monday evening, July 27, 2015 at the Manistee County Medical Care Facility. He was born on February 16, 1936 in Manistee, Michigan and was the son of the late Max & Margaret (Miller) Milarch. He was a graduate of Onekama High School with the class of 1954. He married Caroline A. Froncek on June 29, 1957 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Manistee. They have celebrated over 58 years of marriage. He served in the U.S. Army from February 12, 1959 until February 10, 1961. He was employed for over 40 years with Michigan Bell, retiring in 1995. He was a member of the Catholic Community of Manistee (St. Joseph Church) and active in the Telephone Pioneers of America. Darwin was also a "Jack of all trades" and enjoyed his woodworking. He built his son's and his own home and there wasn't anyone he wouldn't help out with handy work. He also was a collector of toy tractors, especially John Deere Tractors.

He is survived by his wife, Caroline Milarch of Manistee, his son and daughter in-law, Tom and Janet Milarch of Fountain, MI, his daughter and son in-law, Jodi and Dan Decker of Jackson, MI, and 2 granddaughters, Lauren (Matt) Boller of Westland, MI and Meghan Decker and her fiancé Dillon Ommodt, both of Jackson, MI; 2 sisters and 1 brother-in-law, Vera Appicelli of Charlotte, NC and Joan & Ralph Cabot of Flushing, MI; his twin brother and sister-in-law, Dale & Eloise Milarch of Manistee. Numerous nieces and nephews also survive him.

He was also preceded in death by his brother-n-law, George Appicelli.

Mass from The Order of Christian Funerals will be celebrated on Friday, July 31, 2015 at 11:00 AM at Saint Joseph Catholic Church in Manistee with Reverend Peter Wigton Celebrant. Burial will follow at Mount Carmel Cemetery also in Manistee. The family will receive friends at the church one hour prior to Darwin's funeral Mass.

A memorial has been established in Darwin's name to the Manistee County Medical Care Facility. Envelopes are available at the funeral home and will also be available at the church on Friday.

The Herbert Funeral Home of Manistee is in charge of funeral arrangements.