Darlene S. Pinkerton

Darlene S Pinkerton, age 78, died Tuesday, November 3, 2026, at IU Methodist, Indianapolis.

She was born in Huntington, Indiana, the daughter of Arthur and Martha (Burkhart) Reed.

She married Dean Pinkerton in Van Buren on September 10, 1965.

Mrs. Pinkerton was a well-known member of the Van Buren and Upland communities. She was an active member of the Upland United Methodist church and later the Pierce Church where she served in several roles including Sunday school teacher, sung in the choir, and served on the administrative board of trustees. As a teacher in the Eastbrook Community school system for 32 years, she taught students math at both Upland and Van Buren middle schools and later at Eastbrook High School. She also served as a 4-H leader for 20 years with Dean for the Monroe Boys Club. An avid Hoosier, Colts, and Fever fan, Darlene enjoyed cheering on her favorite teams.

Darlene was preceded in death by her loving husband Dean Pinkerton, parents Arthur and Martha Reed, sister Daunita Kline, brother Darrell Reed, in-laws Ned Kline, Lewis Huston, Takuo Kinoshita, John Reasoner, Shirley Ball, and Ralph and Margaret Pinkerton.

Survivors include her daughter Jessica Sowder, La Grange, KY; her son Doug Pinkerton, Castalian Springs, Tenn; two sisters, Shirley Huston, Indianapolis and Waunita Kinoshita, Urbana, IL; grandchildren, Martha Sowder, Chicago, Il and Caleb and Lillian Pinkerton, Castalian Springs, Tenn., and in-laws Sarah Reed, James Pinkerton, Barbara Reasoner, Carol Pinkerton, and Millard Ball; and many nieces and nephews.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the Jones-Smith Chapel of Armes-Hunt Life Celebration Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 259 North Main Street, Upland, Indiana 46989, where a visitation will be held on Sunday, November 8, 2026, from 2:00 - 5:00 p.m. A funeral service will be held on Monday, November 9, 2026, at Pierce Church, 201 North 8th Street, Upland, Indiana, at 11:00 a.m. with Jeff Huston officiating. There will also be a time of visitation prior to the funeral from 10:00 - 11:00 a.m. Burial will follow the funeral at Jefferson Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to:
Pierce Church 201 N 8th ST. Upland, IN 46989
Hope Spring International 2100 Nashville Pike Gallatin, TN 37066
MPN Foundation Research Foundation P.O. 2690 Carol Stream, IL 60132-2690P