Darlene Mary Weinzapfel

Darlene Mary (Berendes) Weinzapfel, age 88, of Evansville, Ind., passed away peacefully at Heart to Heart Hospice on July 3, 2026, surrounded by family.

Darlene was a devoted wife, loving mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother whose greatest joy was her family. She loved to travel and never passed up an opportunity for a new adventure.

Darlene was born on December 21, 1937, in Evansville, Ind., to Edwin and Irene (Schilling) Berendes. She was a proud member of Mater Dei High School’s Class of 1955, serving as the Treasurer of her senior class and organizing class reunions for many years. She faithfully volunteered annually selling corn to support the Mater Dei football team.

Darlene worked at Commercial Credit before getting married and raising her family of five children, a role she considered her greatest accomplishment. Later in life, she worked part-time at Rose Marie’s for 24 years and enjoyed volunteering 20 years with the St. Vincent Call Center and Food Pantry.

Darlene was an active member of Corpus Christi Catholic Church for over 66 years where she served as a Eucharistic Minister and Lector. She also participated in Women’s Club, volunteered to work at dances, dinners, and the Fall Festival booth. She and her husband chaired the Big Paddle Wheel at the parish social for many years. She also organized the annual Christmas Store. She and her husband were inducted into the Brute’ Society in 2002. Darlene treasured traveling with her husband and her close camping group, the Indiana Wanderers. She was an avid NASCAR fan and rarely missed cheering on her favorite driver, No. 24, Jeff Gordon.

She leaves behind a legacy of love in her husband of 67 years, Alphons (Al) Weinzapfel. She is survived by her children Jeff (Jan) Weinzapfel, Joylene (Mark) Springer, Gary (Kathy) Weinzapfel, Greg (Karen) Weinzapfel and Brad (Jennifer) Weinzapfel; and grandchildren, Nick (Tiffany) Weinzapfel, Dan (Sarah) Weinzapfel, Sara (Austin) Campbell, Alex (Jenae) Springer, Megan Weinzapfel (Corey Foley), Jacob (Samantha) Weinzapfel, Zachary Weinzapfel, Lucas Weinzapfel, Tyler Weinzapfel, Evan (Alexa) Weinzapfel, Logan Weinzapfel (fiancée Kelsey Bullock), Blake Weinzapfel, Conner (Kamryn) Voegel, and Westin (Kaitlin) Voegel; great-grandchildren Dominick, Landon, Lucas, Joel, Julia, Ethan, Paige, Jack, Eli, Olivia, Millie, Marshall, Murphy, Willow, Kynslee, and Leo. She is also survived by her sister, Cherie (Maurice) Berendes.

Friends may visit with family from 3 until 7 p.m., on Wednesday, July 8 at Pierre Funeral Home, 2601 W. Franklin Street. A celebration mass in honor of a life lived to the fullest will be held at 10 a.m. on Thursday, July 9 at Corpus Christi Catholic Church, 5528 Hogue Road, Evansville, IN.

Friends may visit with the family from 9:30 a.m. until service time.

Memorial contributions may be made to Mater Dei High School, 1300 Harmony Way, Evansville, IN 47720 or Corpus Christi Catholic Church, 5528 Hogue Road, Evansville, Indiana 47712.

Condolences may be made online at www.pierrefuneralhome.com.