Date Posted: 2006-10-26

Donald C. DeLap, 88, of Lexington, died Thursday, Oct. 26, 2006, at Plum Creek Care Center in Lexington. Visitation will be held Sunday, Oct. 29, 2006, from 2-5 p.m. at the Reynolds-Love Chapel in Lexington. Services will be Monday, Oct. 30, 2006, at 10:30 a.m. at First Presbyterian Church in Lexington with Reverend Caroline Vickery officiating. Burial with military honors will be in the Greenwood Cemetery at Lexington. Reynolds-Love Funeral Home in Lexington is in charge of arrangements.

Survivors include two sons, Morry (Marlene) DeLap of Lexington and Merril DeLap of Harvard; one brother, Keith (Jean) DeLap of Quincy, Ill.; and two grandsons, Corey DeLap of Lubbock, Texas and Dirk DeLap of Lexington.

Don was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Fay in 2004, and an infant grandson. He was born June 29, 1918, in rural Dawson County, Nebraska to Conrad and Martha A. (Lemme) DeLap.

Don went to country school the first eight years, then to high school in Lexington where he graduated with the class of 1936. Following graduation, he farmed and then went into the United States Army during World War II, serving his country from Feb. 7, 1941 to Oct. 14, 1945. He was Staff Sergeant airplane crew chief. He was on Iwo Jima when the Japanese surrendered.

Don was united in marriage to Fay Cranford on Jan. 26, 1945, at Lexington. Two sons were blessed to this union: Morry and Merril.   He loved his cars and had quite a few. His 1967 Pontiac was his favorite. He kept it for 30 years. Don also had schooling for airplane mechanics with Morton Aircraft Corporation in Omaha, armed forces, Bell Aircraft Training School, and P-39 maintenance of P-39 aircraft. He farmed since leaving the Army. He was interested in alfalfa, corn, and sunflowers. Farming was his life. Memorials are suggested to the First Presbyterian Church or the Lexington Fire Department.

--Obituary obtained from the Lexington Clipper-Herald