Delmer Adams

Delmer G. Adams, 85, of Rockford, formerly of Scott, Ohio, passed away at 8:39 p.m. Friday, April 14, 2017, at The Laurels of Shane Hill in Rockford. He was born July 12, 1931, in Van Wert County, to the late Freda (Dunlap) and Clarence Adams.

A 1949 graduate of Union High School, Delmer married the love of his life, Joan Miller, on July 16, 1950. He was a lifelong farmer, having farmed with his father, and later, his son. Delmer also mowed the Van Wert County roads for many years and enjoyed meeting different people while working as a bagger at Publix in Bradenton, Florida. Delmer and his wife wintered in Florida for more than 40 years and together they were avid travelers and enjoyed camping around the country. Delmer was formerly a member of Trinity United Methodist Church in Van Wert and of First Church of the Nazarene in Bradenton, Florida, where he sang in the church choir.

A member of the Van Wert Masonic Lodge and a former member of the Ivanhoe Commandry Drill Team, Delmer served on the board of directors for Scott Equity, having served as president for several years. He also served on the board of directors of the Sugar Creek Country Club in Florida. A NASCAR enthusiast, Delmer was a season ticket holder at Michigan International Speedway for several years. In keeping with his caring nature, he received numerous awards for donating blood and delivered meals for Meals on Wheels.

In his later years, Delmer took up running and was a member of the Van Wert and Bradenton Running Clubs. He ran a marathon but enjoyed 5k and 10K races the most. He even qualified for, and participated in, the Senior Olympics in Syracuse, New York. After running became more and more difficult, Delmer took up bicycling and participated in the GOBA bike ride four different times.

Of all the things Delmer enjoyed, he loved the time spent with his family the most.

Those left to cherish his memory are his loving wife, H. Joan (Miller) Adams of Rockford; children, Debbie Adams and Cindy Ditmyer, both of Van Wert, and Mark E. (Karen) Adams of Scott; sister, Betty (Gregg) Gardner of Van Wert; grandchildren, Melanie (Lt. Col. Eric) Marhover of Ft. Hood, Texas, Bonnie Ditmyer of Van Wert, Jeff (Jennifer) Adams of Scott, Ed (Sarah) Ditmyer of Van Wert, Valerie (Shane) Wallis of Decatur, Indiana; great-grandchildren, Zack and Adelynn Marhover, Kelsey, Logan, Madison, Natalie, Jackson and Lauren Ditmyer, and Kaylyn Gerold.

In addition to his parents, Delmer was preceded in death by his twin brother, Elmer Adams, and sister-in-law, M. Joan Adams.

Funeral service will begin at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, April 19, 2017, at Alspach-Gearhart Funeral Home & Crematory, Van Wert, with Pastor Clark Williman presiding. Interment will follow in Scott Cemetery, Scott. The family will receive friends from 4 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, April 18, 2017, and again one hour prior to the funeral on Wednesday at the funeral home.