Darrel D. Horst

Darrel Dennis Horst, 74, of York, PA, passed away on April 26, after a long battle with adenocarcinoma.

Darrel was born on February 6, 1952, in York, PA, the second son of Lloyd and Elverta Horst of York, PA.

Survivors include his wife, Teena Horst of York, PA; children: Jarret Horst of West Minster MD, Jamie Horst of San Rafael, CA, Tami Brazille (Brad) of Browns Mills, NJ, and Todd Horst (Kate) of York, PA; grandchildren: Gideon, Morgan, Payton, Audrey, Caleb and Rowen, Frank, Cristina and Bridget; siblings: Mervin Horst (Lois), Gerald Horst (Leona, deceased), Sue Kanagy (Arlen), Laverne Horst (Joan), Judy Peterson (Mike), Mary Leaman (Paul) and Steven Horst (Brenda); and many cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends. 

He was preceded in death by his parents, Lloyd and Elverta Horst.

Darrel attended Central York High School and graduated in 1970. A member of Slate Hill Mennonite Church in Camp Hill, PA, Darrel elected to join Mennonite Voluntary Services. From 1972 - 1975 Darrel served as a volunteer at Espelkamp boys' home near Bielefeld, Germany.

Upon return from overseas service, Darrel enrolled at Penn State York campus where he graduated with a degree in psychology in 1977.

Darrel and Teena were married the same year.

Darrel worked at the Sheltered Workshop in York training people with disabilities to secure paying jobs in support of economic independence.

While working toward a Masters of Business Administration degree at Penn State York, Darrel bought a business which became Horst Excavating and Construction, where he would spend the majority of his career for the next 30+ years. A signature achievement was the creation of the Poplar Estates development in Mount Wolf, PA. Upon the destruction by fire and re-build of the family home in York, Darrel began specializing in renovating homes in need of extensive repair.

Darrel and Teena moved to a 120 acre farm in York in 1982 where they raised their four children alongside acres of tomatoes and squash. The couple were active in the Christian Community Fellowship church in Manchester, PA from 1982 - 1997, and have since been attending Stillmeadow Church of the Nazarene in York, PA. While attending Stillmeadow Church, Darrel participated in mission trips to Costa Rica and the Dominican Republic, adding his construction expertise to those who most needed help. He and Teena also served on projects with Mennonite Disaster Services in Texas.

Endlessly creative, Darrel took on many projects over the years, from retrofitting an ambulance into a custom work truck, custom building a recreational vehicle from a US government surplus bus from a military base in Greenland, trading futures, selling real estate, growing tomatoes and peppers in his greenhouse, among many others endeavors. At the end of the day, his greatest joys were found in his faith and the love of his family.

A Celebration of Life Tribute will be held 11:00AM, Saturday, May 9, 2026 at Heffner Funeral Chapel & Crematory, Inc., 1551 Kenneth Rd, York. A viewing will be held from 10:00 – 11:00AM, Saturday at the funeral home. Burial will be held in Prospect Hill Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Mennonite Disaster Services, 583 Airport Rd, Lititz, Pa 17543 or the American Cancer Society, PO Box 6704, Hagerstown, MD 21741.