Farmington - Delano L. Ohaver, 90, of Farmington, Illinois, passed away at 9:45 p.m. on Saturday, November 12, 2022, at Farmington Village. He was born on November 8, 1932, in Millersburg, Illinois, a son of Matthew and Florence (Hyett) Ohaver. He was named after Franklin Delano Roosevelt, who was elected into office for the first time on the day he was born. He married Wanda Johnson on September 3, 1953, in Aledo, Illinois.

Delano is survived by his wife of 69 years, Wanda; his two daughters, Mary (David) Moermond of Des Moines, Iowa; Susan (Dino) Vlahos of Sleepy Hollow, Illinois; two granddaughters, Olivia Vlahos of Nantucket, Massachusetts, and Taylor Desmond of Crystal River, Florida; one great-granddaughter, Rilee Jo and two nieces, Kathleen Tangel of Chicago and Jane Ohaver of Peoria.

Delano was preceded in death by his parents; one brother, David; one half-sister, Jeanne; and his son, Joe.

Delano graduated 8th grade from a one-room schoolhouse in Millersburg. From there he attended and graduated from Aledo High School. In addition to excelling at academics, he played on the varsity football team. Blackburn College in Carlinville, Illinois, was his next stop before heading to the University of Illinois in Champaign-Urbana where he received his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree in 1957. After graduating, he wanted to live in a small town where it would take only minutes to drive in and out. His brother told him about Farmington, who had a veterinarian about to retire, so that’s where he moved his family. Taking the back seat out of his 1957 Chevy to hold their 10-day old daughter, Mary, in a basket, and the rest of their belongings, they moved to Farmington. There he started his practice treating farm animals, cats, dogs and even a pet rat. After 37 1/2 years, he took down his sign and retired in 1994, and began to spend even more time on his many projects and hobbies.

Delano was a true Renaissance Man, able to do plumbing, electrical, carpentry, roofing, masonry, house painting, and mechanical work. These skills were put to use when he restored the Ellisville Opera House. He was a landlord, sausage maker, beekeeper, and gardener. He once sewed his own tailored coat from deer leather. Just for the experience, he tapped the maple trees in his yard. He fabricated a metal pan that he used to boil down the sap over an open fire for an entire day to make maple syrup. Through the years, he collected and restored antique cars and tractors. He proudly showcased his collection in many area parades.

Delano was a skilled woodworker and furniture maker. He made beautiful pieces for his family and friends including a complete bedroom and living room set, matching desks and clocks for his children, stereo cabinets, hall trees, coffee and end tables, a grandfather clock for a dear friend, a swinging baby cradle for his granddaughter, and a walk-in popcorn wagon for Wanda "just because she wanted one." He was the go-to person in the area if a clock was in need of repair.

Delano loved country music! Among his favorite artists were Patsy Montana and Suzy Bogguss, who both sang his all-time favorite song, "I Want to Be a Cowboy's Sweetheart." He could play the harmonica, guitar, ukulele, and a bit of piano. In his recent years, he enjoyed spending many hours sitting at the kitchen table watching country music on RFD-TV. He loved cherry pie baked with love by Wanda from the cherries Delano picked and pitted from his five cherry trees.

Delano was a quiet man, but when he spoke, he had valuable, meaningful things to say, and we all listened.

He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Farmington, the Farmington Rotary, the International Order of the Odd Fellows, and a Cub Scout leader.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, November 19, 2022, at Anderson-Sedgwick Funeral Home in Farmington, where visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the Odd Fellows' service at 10:45 a.m. Pastor Linda Philabaun will officiate. Burial will take place in Oakridge Cemetery following the services.

Memorials can be made to Historic Ellisville Restoration Organization (H.E.R.O.) to help with the restoration and upkeep of his beloved Ellisville Opera House. Online: https://yourgcf.org/donors/ Click on ‘MAKE A GIFT’. Scroll down and click on ‘H’. The Historic Ellisville Restoration Organization H.E.R.O. - Lift Fund will appear. Checks may be payable to GCF, with ‘H.E.R.O. – Lift Fund’ on the Memo line, to: H.E.R.O. Lift Fund, C/O Galesburg Community Foundation, 246 E. Main St. Suite 101, Galesburg, IL 61401