Darla Michelle Contis, 61, entered into Heaven on March 1, 2025. She fought a valiant fight against cancer, but ultimately passed away at her son's home in Montgomery City, surrounded by her family. She was ready to go home with Jesus where pain would be replaced by the pure love of God.
Darla was born on December 29, 1963. She was the daughter of Benjamin Leo and Arlis Anette Hank of O'Fallon. She was the youngest sister of Randy (Patti) Hank of Port St. Lucie, Fla., Susan (Frank) Sauer of Warrenton and Darren Hank of Lake St. Louis.
She raised and loved four sons; Steven (Elizabeth) Black of O'Fallon, Shawn (Abhy) Ivester of St. Charles, Jeffrey (Catelyn) Contis of Montgomery City and Austin Contis of Troy.
She is survived by her four sons; seven grandchildren, Ashley Kath, Sierra Black, Savanna Black, Abrianna Black, Theo Turvey, Aaria Ivester and Ellie Black; and four granddogs, Ellie pup, Elijah pup, Syri pup and Sammy pup.
Darla was a beautiful, caring and funny soul. It felt like she knew something about everything and she did not hesitate to talk all day until you knew it, too. I can't think of another person who could fill up a room as much as she did. She was always laughing about something and it was often contagious. Even on her darkest days, it seemed like she found something to laugh about.
She loved her sons above anything else and made sure they were a part of her favorite hobbies. She took the boys on float trips many times during the summer. She took them to wineries to make sure we had fresh air and she had time to relax. If she couldn't get out of the house, she was mixing up a Bloody Mary at home to help pass the day.
She loved rocking out whenever she had the chance. Testing the limits of her car's stereo everywhere she drove. You knew when she was at your house by the sound when she got there.
Darla followed in her daddy's footsteps and loved riding motorcycles. This was also a hobby she got to enjoy with her sons. She spent many days riding with the boys or out enjoying God's country on her own. She proudly could say she rode the tail of the dragon during a fun family motorcycle trip to North Carolina.
Darla also had an entrepreneurial spirit while looking for ways to help people. She excitedly ran and operated a medical transportation company. During her time with the company she founded, she never hesitated to go the extra mile to help someone out, give personal time as a shoulder to cry on or bring a smile on someone's worse days, and even used her own home to make sure a new mother had a safe place to stay. She never stopped looking for that next thing. She also had a brief stint running a car auction operation where she could also help get affordable cars in people's hands.
Darla loved giving advice and was known to have the conversations you didn't know you needed to have. She never spared an opportunity to pull someone's head out of their own butt.
She was beautiful. She was kind. She was loved. She is missed.
A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, March 8, 2025 at Reach Community Church in Montgomery City, with Pastor Jacob Meyer officiating. Inurnment will follow in Thornhill Cemetery in Troy.
A visitation will be held on Saturday, March 8, 2025, at the church, from 10 a.m. until the time of the service.
Memorial Contributions are suggested to Thornhill Cemetery, in care of Schlanker Funeral Home, 207 Danville Road, Montgomery City, Missouri 63361.
