Commission approves recommended orders in Kenneth Darnay estate, awards funeral claim and limited reimbursement

The Hampshire County Commission accepted two recommended orders Tuesday resolving competing claims against the estate of the late Kenneth Darnay.

Jonathan Brill presented the recommended orders to the commission after describing an evidentiary hearing held Feb. 15, 2024. Brill said he concluded the funeral home’s claim should be permitted and that a neighbor who sought reimbursement for services and expenses should receive partial reimbursement for an initial funeral deposit. "I concluded that the Schaeffer Funeral Home claim was valid and should have been permitted," Brill told the commission. He recommended directing the estate to reimburse the neighbor for the deposit amount identified in his order.

Brill summarized that one claimant, Larry Crumran, had sought a variety of reimbursements including mileage for driving Mr. Darnay to medical appointments. After reviewing testimony and documents, Brill said the evidence showed Mr. Darnay had previously transferred value to the claimant — including the sale of a truck at a discount — and that the claimant’s net claim exceeded recoverable amounts under applicable law. Brill recommended denying the remainder of that claimant’s claims but awarding reimbursement for the deposit amount spelled out in the order.

Commissioners reviewed the 12‑page recommended orders, asked questions and then moved and seconded acceptance. The motion to accept the orders as presented carried; the orders will be signed and entered into county records.

What’s next: The commission accepted the recommended orders and signed them; county staff will record the orders and direct the estate to make the payments ordered by the commission.