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Darl Etter, 70, of Grandy, NC, passed away peacefully on April 2, 2026. Darl was born and raised in the Chambersburg, Pennsylvania area, where he grew up on a dairy farm. He carried that hardworking, hands-on mindset throughout his life. He built a long career as a diesel technician, working as a mechanic for over 40 years, where his natural mechanical ability and sharp problem-solving skills set him apart. He was the kind of person who could fix almost anything—and if something didn’t have instructions, he didn’t need them.
His curiosity and technical mind extended far beyond his work. Whether it was working on vehicles, building intricate cuckoo clocks from scratch, or figuring out how things worked just for the fun of it, Darl approached the world with both intelligence and humor. He had a way of seeing things differently, often finding the fun in doing things “the wrong way,” and sharing that perspective with others through his storytelling and laughter.
Darl also had a deep love for dogs, and they were always an important part of his life. He appreciated simple joys, whether that meant spending time with animals or enjoying good food—especially anything with heat. He had a remarkable tolerance for spicy foods and could handle peppers like nobody else.
Darl is survived by his wife, Marie Etter; his daughter, Hannah Etter and her husband Mark; step-daughter Sherry Cutler and Brian; and two grandchildren Kiley and Cobe; his siblings, Alan, Melanie, and Barb. He was preceded in death by his father and mother Lynn and Mary Etter.
A graveside service will be held on Wednesday, April 8, 2026, at 11:00am at Laurel Memorial Gardens in Poplar Branch, North Carolina. Please share a message of comfort with the family at gallopfuneralservices.com. Gallop Funeral Services was entrusted with arrangements

Gallop Funeral Services, Inc. was founded in Nags Head, NC in 2006 by licensed North Carolina Funeral Director Courtney N. Gallop. This independent, minority and woman-owned start-up funeral home challenged the existing monopoly firm which had sole control of all funeral care, goods, and services provided in Manteo, the Outer Banks, and Currituck County for nearly 100 years.
Finally - someone brought competition into the local funeral industry. As a direct result of Gallop Funeral Services, Inc., local families now have choices, options, alternatives, fairer pricing, flexibility, and a higher level of service in funeral care for their loved ones.

In 2016, Gallop Memorial Chapel was opened in Barco, NC. The spacious, newly remodeled facility is the first and only funeral service-related business ever to locate in Currituck County. The Barco Gallop Memorial Chapel is conveniently located near the Outer Banks, Moyock and Elizabeth City. The elegant yet relaxing chapel interior is welcoming and comfortable for viewings, family gatherings, funerals, and memorial services. Our Barco chapel is perfectly equipped to serve all faiths and families in the county.
Courtney Gallop and the staff at Gallop Funeral Services, Inc. are committed to excellence. We continue to improve, grow, invest, and learn in order to provide the highest level of service for all families entrusted to our care.

In 2011, we built and established Capital Crematory, the first and only crematory ever in Dare County. The crematory supports Gallop Funeral Services and also provides professional cremation services for other funeral homes in the Albemarle area. Having our own local crematory means your loved one's cremation will be handled personally by owners of the funeral home, 100% locally, quickly, and at the best pricing.