Julia A. Darfus, born on June 11, 1937, in Columbus, Ohio, passed away peacefully on August 23, 2026, in Westerville, OH.

Julia lived a vibrant life centered around community, fun, and her deep love for family. She lived life to the fullest with her beloved husband, Herb, right by her side. Together, they rarely missed a chance to play bingo at the bingo hall, head to the racino for the slot machines, treat themselves to meals at Red Lobster, or visit the Reynoldsburg Senior Citizen Center for a good game of cards. An avid outdoorswoman in her earlier years, she cherished time spent boating and camping on weekend trips, where she loved listening to her family play guitar around the campfire. Julia also enjoyed the simple pleasure of watching old black-and-white movies and had a compassionate heart for animals, adopting every single stray cat that crossed her path.

Julia also had a lifelong passion for cooking, a joy she shared generously at large family gatherings. Even in her later years, she was known for making enough food to feed a small army, keeping everyone well-fed while gathering around the table for lively games of Euchre—a true testament to her loving, nurturing, and fiercely protective spirit. She was also deeply grateful for the devotion of her late daughter's boyfriend, Tony, who was a steadfast part of the family and helped out immensely with her care and comfort.

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Herbert Darfus; her parents, Lee Sattler, Hazel "Nanny" Colvin, and her step-father, Leonard "Papa" Colvin; her children, Jerome Shepard, Linda Kovanda, Thomas E. "Duke" Shepard III, and Christina Shepard; and the father of her children, Thomas "Shep" Shepard. She was also preceded in death by her brothers and sister, Leroy (Betty) Sattler, Howard "Wheatie" (Bonnie) Sattler, and Mary Louis (Uncle Monte) Sattler.

Julia is survived by her loving son, Scott (Marcia) Shepard. She is also survived by her cherished grandchildren, Angela (Richard) Althoff, Cory (Ainsley) Kovanda, Christopher (Charlie) Kovanda, Kimberly Kovanda, and Nicholas Shepard; her stepchildren, Denise (Ron) Anfone, Deanna Kitchen, Tonya (Jeff) McCullouch, and Terry Darfus; and Dave Kovanda, the father of her Kovanda grandchildren. She also leaves behind many loving great-grandchildren, other relatives, and lifelong friends who will miss her dearly.