Darryl W. Propheter
Darryl W. Propheter
Darryl W. Propheter, 84, of Mayville passed away on May 11, 2025 at home surrounded by his wife and children. Darryl was born on May 20, 1940 in the town of Ellicott to Woodrow and Marion Wares Propheter. After attending Bemus Point High School, Darryl enlisted in the US Army – serving from 1957-1960. He married his sweetheart Earlene Ringleben on May 31, 1958 at St Mark Lutheran Church in Mayville. The newlyweds were stationed in Meunster, West Germany with the 7th Army where they welcomed their first child. After returning home, they settled in Mayville where they raised five children.
Darryl graduated with High Honors from Jamestown Community College in 1967 earning his Associate’s in Mechanical Engineering. However, Darryl realized his dream when he purchased a 200-acre farm on Beaujean Road in Mayville in 1967, expanding it to 600 acres over the years. Darryl proudly bred and raised award winning black angus cattle for over 45 years and enjoyed raising and training Appaloosa horses. He was also a Star-Route contractor for the USPS for 40 years, moving mail between post office locations in the area. In 1971, Darryl purchased a gas station in Sherman, NY that he ran for several years. He built a store on that property, where he and Earlene operated Sherman Central Tractor, serving area farmers for 49 years.
Darryl was a proud member of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, Appaloosa Horse Club, War Veterans Recreation, the National Rifle Association, American Border Collie Association, and the American Legion. He supported various children’s charities throughout his life. Darryl was a lifelong Christian who attended the First Baptist Church in Mayville. His unwavering belief in God’s grace guided his every step. His favorite place was at home on his farm surrounded by his animals and his family. He loved gardening, his grandchildren, country music, fixing tractors, playing cards, and reminiscing.
Darryl is survived by his wife, Earlene; his children: Danette Battle of Mayville, Daniel (William Murphy) Propheter of Westfield, Dana (Andrew) Barberis of Huntingon NY, Jason (Ann) Propheter of Lakeland, Fl, and Jamie (Terry) Smith of Mayville; a sister, Beverly Nordstrom of Virginia Beach, VA; grandchildren: Natasha, Felicia, Mariah (Robert Eckstrom), and Angelia Battle, Jillian and Angela Barberis, Milaena (Brandon) Kightlinger, Maranda, Michaela, Joshua, Marissa, and Jeffery Propheter, Genevieve and Lincoln Smith, and eight great-grandchildren: Sunnie, Jeremiah, Keturah, Danielle, Sarah Jane, James, Gabriella, and Darryl, and many nieces and nephews. He was proceeded in death by his parents, and four brothers: Bruce, Warren, Allen, and Norman Propheter.
Funeral Services will be held Friday, May 16, 2025, at 1 pm at the Freay Funeral Home in Mayville with burial to follow at the Dewittville Cemetery. Visitation will be from 11 a.m -1 pm at the funeral home, also on Friday. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made in his name to the 5&2 Ministry in Clymer, NY serving rural children in our area.
To leave a remembrance or to post condolences to the family, please visit freayfuneralhome.com.