Obituary of Darl Mapes

Darl Mapes passed away at the age of 72 on March 28, 2020, at the Medilodge nursing home in Kalamazoo, MI. He was born on May 9th, 1947 to the late Jacqueline Mapes (Perry). It was evident at an early age he had learning disabilities and couldn’t cope in public schools. He was placed in a home for boys and was taught the basics of reading and writing, various vocational skills, and boxing. He learned to be a very good boxer but never used those abilities unless he was provoked, defending himself against the bullies of the time and always standing up for a family member or friend. He was a very friendly, inquisitive person, almost to a fault. In his better years, he was smart mentally and a friend for life to most he met. Although he never mastered reading and writing, he could sign his name and survive with odd jobs in the area. With help, he obtained a driver’s license from Indiana and lived from place to place around the MI/IN state line for many years. When needed, friends and family had helped him manage his bills and have a place to stay. He smoked cigarettes for most of his life and eventually developed COPD before he was 55. Shortly after, he was able to draw Social Security disability income. In 2003, he bought his own home with help from his mother’s inheritance. By 2013 as his mental and physical health issues worsened, he was placed in Adult Foster care. Being independent most of his life, he took issue with people controlling his life and ran away from these homes several times. He was always a good person at heart, but sometimes his disabilities just got in the way. When he couldn’t be controlled anymore, he was placed in a nursing home, where his mental and physical problems declined. He is survived by his brothers Duane (Tim) and James Perry, his sister Pat Fryling, and several cousins, nieces, and nephews. He was preceded in death by his brother, Dennis Perry Jr, his nephew Dennis III, his stepfather Dennis Perry, and his mother Jacqueline Perry. Darl will always be missed if only for the reminder that while most of us were blessed with normal lives, he endured this hardship all his life, and did it pretty well considering. Cremation has taken place. A celebration of life will take place at a later time.