Darvin Dale Gilliland, 70, Parsons, died at 9:41 a.m., Wednesday, June 17, 2026, at Wesley Medical Center in Wichita.
Born August 5, 1955, in Eldon, Mo., Darvin was the son of Harold Leroy and Edith Mae (Wallace) Gilliland.
He grew up and attended school in Chetopa, where he graduated from Chetopa High School.
Following high school, Darvin joined the Marines and served his country in the Vietnam War. After being honorably discharged, Darvin returned to Southeast Kansas and became a police officer in Independence, where he served the community for 11 years and earned the rank of lieutenant. At that time, Darvin made a career change and was a truck driver for Ottawa Manufacturing for 15 years. He retired in 2012 due to his health, but he did continue to work for the company part-time.
Darvin was a member of the Assembly of God Church in Oswego.
An outdoorsman at heart, Darvin loved to fish, camp and shoot. He was a jack-of-all-trades with his talents ranging from construction and carpentry to building and repairing computers. His greatest joy came from spending time with his family.
He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Gale Gilliland and Lael Gilliland; and two sisters, Betty Harold and Dolly Hall.
Survivors include three sons Timothy Gilliland (Bethene) of Oswego, Brandon Lee Gilliland of Parsons and Matthew Gilliland (Vicki) of Phoenix, Oregon; five daughters Deana Hembrough (Bryan) of Columbus, Sheila Robison (Tyler) and Johna Gatton (Brian), all of Oswego, Laura Roberts (Keenen) of Parsons and Carrie Drake (Greg) of Joplin, Mo. and 20 grandchildren.
The funeral service will be held at 10 a.m., Tuesday, June 23, at the Assembly of God Church in Oswego. Burial will follow at Oak Hill Cemetery in Chetopa.
Arrangements are under the direction of Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home of Parsons.