Carol Lee Delker

Carol Lee Delker, 87, of Temperance, MI. died on Monday June 8th, in her home of 68 years, under the care of Heartland Hospice and Taylor’s Home Care- Heart to Home. She was surrounded by the love of family and friends. Visitation will be at Capaul Funeral Home (Ida, MI) on Sunday July 5th and Monday July 6th from 4-8pm.  Carol's memorial service will take place at Capaul Funeral Home on Tuesday July 7th, at 10am, service commencing at 11am. Burial of Carol and Robert’s cremains will take place at Roselawn Memorial Park (Lasalle, MI) immediately following the memorial service. Bishop Joseph W. Stull Sr. will officiate the memorial.

Carol was born in Monroe, MI and was the daughter of Lee and Helen (Verdon) Hoppert. She was a 1956 Ida High School Graduate and was named Miss Varsity and Miss Ida her Junior and Senior years.  After high school she took an interest in bookkeeping, pursuing her interest with correspondence courses, this interest fit perfectly into her new life after marrying her high school sweetheart, Robert Delker on May 31, 1958.  The newlyweds purchased his mother’s gas station on the corner of Morocco and Lewis Ave that same year and for the decades that laid ahead, she was by his side helping build the business through thick and thin. Handling the bookkeeping since their start in business, some years required her to work at the shop, while other years she could be found during the day working at a local bank, then completing the business responsibilities at night, all while raising 4 children and performing the tasks required of a wife whose husband worked 80-100 hours a week.  Not many realize, but she worked longer in the family business than her husband, working for her son and nephew, during the realm of the third and fourth generations.  Over the years she also vested enough time at Key Bank and PNC Bank to earn pensions from both. She had the ability to smile though over a decade of cancer treatments and years of debilitating health issues, always responding to those asking about her health with an “I’m fine”.

She was a loving wife and mother, a devoted Christian, always searching for guidance from the good book.  She enjoyed spending time with her family at Clark Lake and her ever popular backyard swing.  Sewing was a passion and Christian women's groups were her “me” time. She gave to more charities than most and was a member of the historic Morocco Rd United Brethren church. As with many mothers, she was overworked, underappreciated and under compensated.  She was the MATRIARCH of Delker’s corner and the CORNER STONE of our family, she was small in STATURE but big on CHRISTIAN VALUES.  She was LOYAL to a fault, and an ANGEL here on earth.  She LOVED BIG and GAVE ALL, FOUGHT HARD and SUBMITTED GRACEFULLY.  She was a SILENT OAK and our LIGHT HOUSE in the fog of life. Almost exactly 6 months to the day that dad passed, you are now reunited.  At 87 years young, she will be missed.

She is survived by her brother Blair (Patrica) Hoppert and her children.  Son Rodney (Cheryl) Delker, daughter Rev. Cheryl (Bishop Joe) Stull, son Randal (Wendy) Delker, daughter Cyndi Spotts.  Grandchildren, Connie (Arnie), Joe Jr. (Niki), Becky, Chelsea (Art), Gavin (Amanda), Devon, Cameron, Landon, and 11 Great-grandchildren.  She was preceded in death by her parents and her husband.

After living through the painful ending to this beautiful story, this son would just like to say one more time… Thanks Ma, keep the chicken and noodles hot for me!  We love you.

The family is requesting in lieu of gifts and flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Morocco Rd United Brethren Church, 1633 W Morocco Rd, Temperance, MI 48182.