Darold Joseph Hassler, 85, passed away on April 8, 2010 at home with his family by his side.

He was born Dec. 31, 1924 in Underwood, N.D., to Joseph Albert and Loise Anna Johanna (Jennerjohn) Hassler. The family with eight children moved to Washington in 1936, settling in Oak Harbor.

Darold received his education in the Oak Harbor schools. At age 17 he enlisted, becoming staff sergeant in the Fourth Division Air Force Armored Gunner. World War II ended before he was deployed.

Darold married Doris Irene Gilbert on Nov. 2, 1946. They were married 43 years, raising four children. They lived on Whidbey Island until 1972 when they moved to Sedro-Woolley. Doris passed of lung cancer on July 5, 1989.

“Skinny” was an original Island County Sheriff’s Posse member, helping to start the horse club in 1952.

Being an accomplished and gifted horseman he never had to ask a horse twice for the response he wanted.He joined the Skagit County Sheriff’s Posse when he moved off the island. He held the pony express state record for fastest time. He served as State Sheriff’s Posse president. He road his last race at age 56 after 31 combined years with the posse. He shared his love for horses with his children and friends.

Skinny had many interesting jobs in his life. He worked as a self-employed logger, was a supervisor and ran a bulldozer for Buster and Ester Craig, building many roads on Whidbey Island, as well as a driver for Oak Harbor Freight Lines. In 1964 he began a career at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island as a fireman, continuing his civil service as heavy equipment/crane operator. The last two years he went back to being a fireman, until retiring in 1989.

He married Beatrice Denimes on Feb. 29, 1992. They enjoyed fishing, clamming, camping with family and gardening. He loved dressing up as Grandpa Santa for his beloved grandchildren.

They were members of the Assembly of God Church and Northern Peaks Christian Fellowship in Sedro-Woolley.

Bea passed away on Dec. 25, 2009.

Darold was preceded in death by Doris; Beatrice; his parents, Joseph and Louise; and brothers Earl and Leonard Hassler.

Survivors include his children, Peggy (Dallas) Anderson of Oak Harbor, Lennie (Sherry) Hassler of Sedro-Woolley, Monte (Debbie) Hassler of Oak Harbor and Brenda (Howard) Belisle of Sedro-Woolley; sisters, Goldie (Don) Krapf of Anacortes, and Joyce Evans of Oak Harbor; brothers, Leslie Hassler of Oak Harbor, Gilbert Hassler of Marysville and Joe (Irene) Hassler of Clear Lake; 13 grandchildren; 34 great-grandchildren; five great-great grandchildren; and numerous neices, nephews and dear friends.

He loved his family deeply and knew well and the love they returned.

A memorial will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, April 24, at Northern Peaks Christian Fellowship, N. Ball Street and Highway 20, Sedro-Woolley, with a celebration of life reception to follow at Three Rivers Inn (Alfy’s) in Sedro-Woolley.

Memorials are suggested to Skagit Hospice, American Lung Association, or a local children’s fund.