Darren Coffel two-day wooden bat memorial starts Saturday

Beginning at 1 p.m. Saturday, a memorial wooden bat tournament will be held in Dowell to remember Darren Coffel, with the funds raised going to an education fund set up for his son, Chase.

T-shirts and refreshments will be available and there will be a ceremony where the Village of Dowell will rename the field in his honor.

Games will run through Sunday evening. For more information, contact Jason or Tammy at (618) 521-0429.

Darren Coffel, only 45, lost his life in a car crash Friday on Elkville Road. He was the victim of a woman's car that crossed the centerline and hit him head-on.

There were long lines this week at Searby Funeral Home for Darren's visitation and funeral. He worked for Main Street T's in Du Quoin and had been an Illinois High School Association official for 25 years.

Coffel was a well-known baseball umpire and coach in southern Illinois. He was a father figure. He was all about his family and the kids.

This weekend's tournament will help us remember how great he was.