Darlyne Porter

Darlyne Mae (Spilker) Porter, 92 passed away June 16, 2025 at the Harry Hynes Memorial Hospice in Wichita, Kansas after suffering a stroke.  She was born on May 31, 1933 in Clay County, Kansas.  She was the daughter of Emil and Mable (Carlson) Spilker.  Darlyne grew up on their family farm with her sisters and brother.  When she was in grade school, the family moved to Lee’s Summit, MO until her Junior year in high school and they moved back to Clay County. She received Jesus as her Savior as a young girl attending a little country church. Darlyne married Clayton Russell on June 7, 1953. He died in a hunting accident January 1, 1958.  To this union 2 children were born: Vicki Jo and Clayton Jay.  Darlyne was then united in marriage to Verlyn Porter on June 10, 1960. To this marriage 3 children were born: Curtis Eugene, Kari Lynn, and Leland Lance.  These five children were blended into one close family.

Darlyne and Verlyn lived several years on the Porter farm at Alta, Iowa before moving back to Kansas.  They farmed together and started Porter Equipment in Clay Center, a Case and farm equipment business.  After closing the business Darlyne remained on the farm and worked at Bergstrom’s Clay Center Floral and Greenhouse until moving to Abilene, Kansas in 1993.  She then worked at Porter Chiropractic Office as the office manager.  Darlyne worked until the COVID pandemic changed her status to part time working from her home instead of the office.  She was not one to be happy with idle time and needed to be doing something useful and helpful for others.  She loved to flower garden and could make anything grow.  She was supportive of her children and grandchildren and could be found cheering them on at 4-H events, sports events, and any other activity they were involved in.

Darlyne attended the United Methodist Church in Abilene until COVID. She lived in her own home in Abilene for 31 years, having a great relationship with her neighbors.  They had their own little Neighborhood Watch group, caring for one another.  After a fall, Darlyne moved to Homestead Assisted Living of Abilene in December of 2024.  After moving to assisted living, she attended church at Homestead on Sunday afternoons.  While she was there, she made many new friends and grew to love her surroundings and the staff who cared for her.  This spring, she was still planting flowers and set up an Incubator and hatched a little flock of baby chicks.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her first husband Clayton Russell, a brother Terry Spilker and wife Barbara Spilker, and brother-in-law Sheldon Bergstrom.

She is survived by her children Vicki (Mike) Peterson, Jay (Carol) Russell, Curtis (VaLynda) Porter, Kari (Pat) Murray, Lee (Michelle) Porter. She was blessed with 12 grandchildren, 15 great grandchildren and 3 great, great grandchildren.  She is also survived by her sisters LeAnn (Wilbert) Killman and Jean Bergstrom, and many nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be held from 3-5PM on Sunday, June 29, 2025 at the Neill-Schwensen-Rook Funeral Home in Clay Center, Kansas.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30AM on Monday, June 30, 2025 at the Clay Center United Methodist Church.

Interment will be in the Greenwood Cemetery in Clay Center, Kansas.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Clay Center Utility Park Zoo, Eisenhower Park Rose Garden or Harry Hynes Memorial Hospice and can be sent in care of the funeral home.

Darlyne’s service will be live streamed at https://www.facebook.com/nsrfuneralhome/videos