Stephen L. Darling

Stephen L. Darling, 79, of Davenport, Iowa, passed away Sunday, October 11, 2026.

A gathering to celebrate Steve’s life is 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. Sunday, November 8, at TPC Deere Run, 3100 Heather Knoll, Silvis. Trimble Funeral Home & Crematory, Moline, is assisting the family. Memorials may be made to Birdies for Charity (please note “In Memory of Steve Darling” when donating).

Stephen Lowell Darling was born March 8, 1947, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, the son of Stephen George and Dorothy Edna (Goodman) Darling. He married Kathleen Marie Costello on November 12, 1977 at Christ the King Catholic Church in Moline.

Steve earned a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from the University of Iowa, where he was a member of the ROTC program, and a member of the Delta Upsilon fraternity. Following graduation, he served two years in the U.S. Army, stationed at Fort Carson, Colorado. He then began a long career as a computer programmer with John Deere, where he worked primarily in computer systems before transitioning to the systems department in the treasurer’s office. After 29 years of dedicated service, he retired in 2000.

Steve was deeply involved with the John Deere Classic, volunteering since 2003. He was the recipient of the Denny Holmberg Volunteer Award in 2004, the Outstanding Committee Chair Award Recipient in 2009, and a PGA TOUR Volunteer of the Year Finalist in 2022. His contributions extended well beyond tournament week, as he provided IT and computer support that helped keep the tournament office running year-round.

Above all, Steve treasured his family. His grandchildren, Jackson and Lydia, were the light of his life and his greatest joy. His treasured memories were made with family, boating and enjoying time together at the Lake of the Ozarks in Missouri. These moments with the people he loved most will be cherished always.

Steve was an amateur radio operator, callsign KE9ER, and enjoyed tinkering with electronics, programming, and reading.

Steve is survived by his wife, Kathy; his son and daughter-in-law, Stephen “Brandon” and Katelyn Darling of Bettendorf; two grandchildren, Stephen “Jackson” Darling and Lydia Dene Darling; two sisters, Barbara Darling Bracken of Durham, Oregon, and Dorothy “Dottie” (Reiner) Pless of Rockville, Maryland; sister-in-law, Mary Dietz of Lander, Wyoming; brother-in-law, Ambrose (Shelby) Costello of Moline; and nieces and nephews Robert (Anja Sautmann) Pless of Washington D.C., Monica (David Grant) Pless of Salida, Colorado and Mark Dietz of Lander, Wyoming.

The family invites friends to share stories and condolences at TrimbleFuneralHomes.com.