Delmar Kenneth Small

Delmar Small was born April 12, 1935, at home in Arrowsmith, IL, next door to the hospital. He was the son of Ken and Leona Ruth Thornberry Small. He married Terry Lynne Walters on July 2, 1965. Delmar passed away peacefully at his home on October 2, 2024.

He is survived by his wife, Terry; sister, Carol Small (David) Miles of Sabina, IL, sisters-in-law, Jackie Roberson Small of Carrollton, TX and Kathy Walters Nellor of Mt. Pleasant, IA; daughter-in-law, Carol Ann Conforti Small of Livermore, CA; granddaughter, Ashley Small of Livermore, CA; nieces, Linda Miles Reynolds of LeRoy, IL, Rona Small and Cheryl Small of Farmers Branch, TX, Natalie Nellor (Justin) Burgus of Mt. Pleasant, IA and Rachel Nellor (Duane) Bebb of Salem, IA; nephews, Bill (Martha) Miles, Bloomington, IL and Bryan (Sandy) Miles of LeRoy, IL: and numerous great and great/great nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Ron, Norman and Larry Small, son Kenneth Dean Small, brother-in-law Dennis Nellor, and nephews Ricky Small and Tony Small.

Delmar began his work life mowing yards, delivering papers, delivering milk, and working as a farm hand. At the age of 14 he quit school to run the LeRoy High Point Gas Station his father managed after his father was called back to Eureka Williams. Later Delmar worked as a stock boy at Brown’s Auto Supply, a furnace inspector for Bloomington Home and Heating, and on the loading dock at Admiral before starting at Eureka Williams on the vacuum packing line. Between layoffs at Eureka Williams, he was a brakeman for the IC Railroad, repaired hopper cars for the GM&O Railroad, sold cars for Barker Olds, sold Watkins products door to door, and was a dance instructor for Arthur Murray. He was proud that he always found a job and never drew unemployment.

At age 16 Del began at Eureka on the vacuum packing line. Over the next 33 years he obtained a GED and worked in all the manufacturing departments before becoming Superintendent of the Normal Plant and later Bloomington Plant 1. He retired after 33 years at Eureka as Manager of Manufacturing in charge of the Bloomington, Normal, El Paso, TX and Juarez, Mexico manufacturing plants.

Visitation will be held October 12 from 10:30 to 12 at St. Luke Union Church in Bloomington followed by a luncheon at the church. A family graveside service at East Lawn Cemetery will be at 2:00pm.

A project that was of interest to Del is God’s Mission Ministry helping the unhoused in Bloomington/Normal.