Darius Harms

FLATVILLE – Darius Dean Harms, 78, of Flatville died at 7:50 a.m. Thursday (July 21, 2016) at Presence Covenant Medical Center, Urbana.

He was born on Aug. 27, 1937, in Champaign County, the son of Wilke M. and Anna J. (Huls) Harms. He married Lois L. Busboom on May 31, 1969, in Royal. She survives.

Also surviving are their children, Teri (Paul) Travis of Flatville; Toni (Jeff) Brown of Decatur; Derek Harms of Flatville; Dirk (Audrey) Harms of Flatville; eight grandchildren, Abby Harms, Brett Brown, Hallie Harms, Brooks Brown, Brodie Harms, Bryce Brown, Korinne Travis and Kelsie Harms; a sister, Marlys (Greg) Cooper of Thomasboro; a brother and sister-in-law, Les (Sheila) Busboom of Royal; and five nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Darius farmed in the Flatville area his whole life. He was a lifelong member of Immanuel Lutheran Church of Flatville, serving as council president and on the Historical Committee for many years.

He was a founding member of the Illinois Tractor Pulling Association and the NTPA, as well as an honorary Kentucky colonel.

He was a longtime member of the I&I Antique Tractor and Gas Engine Club and the International Harvester Collectors Club Chapter 10.

In addition, he was among the founding members of the Half Century of Progress Show and was superintendent of tractor pull events at the Champaign County Fair for over 40 years.

He enjoyed sharing his love of farming and tractors with others, and put his heart and soul into shows which demonstrated the progress of farming from the early 1900s to the current time. He actively shared his memories of days past while looking to the future and what could be. He and Lois made countless friends over the years through this shared love of agriculture.

He had a strong faith in the Lord and his family was his true pride and joy. He loved being Opa to his grandchildren.

Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Monday at Immanuel Lutheran Church. The Rev. James Lehmann will officiate. Burial will follow in Kopmann Cemetery, Flatville.

Visitation will be from 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday, also at the church.

Memorials may be made to Immanuel Lutheran Church or the donor's choice.

The family would like to thank the teams at Presence and Country Health for their wonderful care of Darius in the last year, along with the support of many friends and neighbors. May God bless his memory.

Lux Memorial Chapel, Rantoul, is handling the arrangements.