Francis (Del) Delano

Francis (Del) Adelbert DeLano, 100, of Traverse City, passed away on Wednesday, September 11, 2024. He was born on October 28, 1923 in Jasper Michigan, the son of Charles Adelbert and Harriet Juliet (Brightbill) DeLano.

Del served honorably and proudly in the United States Army as a Medic in WWII while stationed in England and France.

Upon returning home, he married Joyce Lorraine Ferguson in November 22, 1947.

Del worked in his father’s plumbing business following his honorable discharge from the military and later as a custodian for Ypsilanti Public Schools.

He and Joyce raised their three children in Ypsilanti. Upon their retirement, they moved to Vero Beach, Florida where they lived for 10 years. Ten years later they moved back to Michigan. In 2001, Joyce died, and Del lived independently until the COVID pandemic at which time he moved with son, Harley and wife Mary, to their retirement home in Palmira Panama. Del, Harley, Mary and Del’s beloved granddaughter Robin, returned to Traverse City in August. He passed away peacefully at home with his family members Harley, Mary, Becky and Pat by his side.

Del is survived by his children, Harley (Mary) DeLano of Traverse City, Rebecca (Patrick) Wallis of Spring Lake and Cheri (Ed) Freeman of Kaleva Michigan; grandchildren, Katie Delano, Robin (Mike) Wadding, Michele Anderson, Heather (Richard) Reinard, Ryan (Teresa) Seauvageau, Christopher Freeman and Wendy (Rodney) Williams; 9 great-grandchildren and 1 great-great-grandchild.

He is preceded in death by his parents Charles and Harriet; wife, Joyce, and siblings, Kathryn Grant, Vivian Wingrove and Charles Richard (Dick) DeLano.

Graveside Services and Military Honors will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Thursday, October 10, 2024 at Knollwood Memorial Park, Canton, Michigan.

Please visit www.lifestorytc.com to share your thoughts and more. Life Story Funeral Home, Traverse City.