Delbert C. Cherry

Delbert C. Cherry, 83 of Kokomo and formerly of Tipton died at 6:29 a.m. Monday, October 31, 2011 at North Woods Village in Kokomo. He was born on March 7, 1928 in Hermitage Springs, Tennessee to Jasper & Mattie (Carey) Cherry. Delbert married Evelyn Kendall on February 21, 1948, she survives.

He was an oiler at Chrysler Corporation in Kokomo retiring in 1982. Delbert was a very active member of Kemp United Methodist Church in Tipton, and the First United Methodist Church in Okeechobee, Florida. He belonged to the Moose Lodge in Tipton, and the Kiwanis in Okeechobee.

Delbert was a very outgoing man. He loved people, never met a stranger. He loved to play practical jokes on everyone and loved to tease his great-granddaughters. He was an avid gardener. The size of his garden was as big as his heart. He wanted to make sure he had plenty to give to everyone. He also loved to fish. In the 25 years they lived in Okeechobee, Florida he fished every day, weather permitting.

The most important thing about Delbert was he loved his family, especially his wife of 63 years, Evelyn. The three years he was in the nursing home she visited him every day. They would do puzzles, watch TV, and nap together in his bed since he was paralyzed. Their love was very special.

He is survived by his wife Evelyn, three children, Wanda Abney and husband Wayne, Kokomo, Loraine Swope and husband Kerry, Kokomo, Dewaine Cherry and wife Roseanne, Arcadia; six grandchildren, Thomas Abney and wife Andrea, Robert Lancette, Chris Lancette, Amity Cherry, Brendan Cherry, and Shannon Cherry; two great-grandchildren, Lauren and Allison Abney.

Delbert was preceded in death by two brothers, Lawrence Cherry, and Clarence Cherry and his wife Evelyn; two sisters, Iva Cherry Garrison, and Gladys Smith and her husband Charles.

Funeral services will be at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, November 3, at Young-Nichols Funeral Home, 216 W. Jefferson St., Tipton with Rev. Paul Southerland presiding. Burial will be at Fairview Cemetery, Tipton. Visitation will be Wednesday from 4:00 – 8:00 p.m. at the funeral home.

Memorial donations to Alzheimer’s Association, 50 E. 91st Street, Suite 100, Indianapolis, Indiana, 46209.

The family would like to thank North Woods Village and Guardian Angel Hospice for their outstanding care during Delbert’s illness.