Darrel Lavern Berns was born on Tuesday, September 11, 1951 in Monroe. He was the second child of Lavern and Hildegarde  "Sallie" (Andrews) Berns.

He graduated from Dundee High School in 1969 and completed his B.S. at Michigan State University in 1978.

On June 24, 1971, Darrel married Deborah Pollock in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. They had two children.

Prior to his death on May 24, 1991 at the age of 38, Darrel worked as a Property Specialist for the State of Michigan and lived in Lansing. He is buried at St Matthew Lutheran Church cemetery in Raisinville Township, Monroe County, Michigan.
 

One fun story of my dad, Darrel, that I can share. Growing up in our Lansing house on Verlinden Street, my dad had two antique gas pumps. This one was outside and we also had one in our dining room on display for decoration. He also had an old wooden wagon he was trying to rebuild and repair which I don't think he ever got to finish. 

My dad had many careers. He had a degree in forestry from Michigan State University and did some work in forestry early in the 80s. He also went through a period where he worked in real estate. When he passed he was working for the State of Michigan going around and telling people that the state wanted to buy their lands or properties which was not the most popular happy job. 

In college he had a job once cleaning out rat cages. He also lived at Spartan Village on campus. 

He loved the music group The Beatles. He had all of their albums in the originals and even the Beatles bubble gum cards, He also had an original Beatles metal lunch box.

He played guitar and he could fix anything. He also did some remodeling at our house on Verlinden Street. He added two upstairs bedrooms to our childhood home.