Delmer “Del” Staley was born May 14, 1934 in St. Catherine's Hospital, Omaha, Nebraska to Ralph and Eleanore (Jewell) Staley. He was the second child of this union. His upbringing was centered in a Godly home. As a family they attended the nearby Four Square Church. This cemented Del's relationship with Christ. He made a personal commitment to Christ at age ten (10) and he was baptized shortly after.
As a young child, Del experienced moving with his family as his father worked for the Burlington Rail Road. When he was thirteen (13), the family moved to Galesburg, Illinois. He graduated from Galesburg High School in 1952. Following graduation, Del worked for Maytag as a draftsman, which exposed his ability to draw and create.
Throughout his life, Del was intrigued by all aspects of flying and airplanes. He enrolled in ground and flight school, passing with flying colors and earning his wings. As his career developed, Del also received an appointment to the Air Force Academy's First Class, but was unable to become a jet pilot due to numerous hernias in his abdomen. He said to himself, “If I cannot fly them, I'll design them.”
This intrigue brought him to Wichita to work for the Boeing Airplane Company, being offered a position as a draftsman. He also worked at LearJet, Cessna, and LTV. He was able to continue his education while working at Boeing at Wichita State University. Del continued his engineering studies at WSU and Boeing Extension School. Throughout his employment at Boeing, he earned several promotions and was named as a Senior Engineer. He worked for 45 years in the aircraft industry.
After moving to Wichita, Del began attending an Assemblies of God church that Karen also attended. They worked together as youth staff with college and career emphasis, falling in love and marrying in 1957. He loved the Lord and, together with his wife, served in many areas of ministry in the church. He dedicated his life to the Lord, his wife, his children, and his grandchildren. He served on a church board from the age of 26 and volunteered many years as the Sunday School superintendent. During this time he was also a Sunday School teacher for third grade. Among those he taught were Reverend Vance Cauthon and Jeff Turner, an engineering manager at Boeing.
Some of his proudest moments included when he was chosen for secret clearance and worked on many different secret defense projects, including Air Force One and the B2 bomber, called the “flying wing.” Another prized moment was when he planned a trip for his wife and children to Europe. During this trip, he and his wife and daughters did missionary work in Belgium and Holland. This trip solidified a long life of missions work and multiple future missions trips to Ireland, England, Poland, and France.
Additionally some of his happiest moments were also spent with his grandchildren. Together with Karen, he hosted “Mom Mom and Pop Pop Camp” for many years and took each grand child on their own special trip.
He had many hobbies that he loved. He built HO Gauge trains, several model radio control aircraft, built two custom cars by hand, did woodwork, and enjoyed photography. He was very thoughtful and creative.
He is survived by his wife, Karen, of the home, his elder daughter, Amy, her husband, Curtis Pettyjohn, of Terlton, OK and their sons, Jonathan, wife Sierra of Derby, KS and David, of Terlton, OK and his younger daughter, Brenda, her husband, Brad Young, of Benton, KS and their daughters, Bethany, Brylee, and Bayley all of Wichita, and his niece Melanie DeVitis, of Blue Bell, PA and his sister-in-law, Martha Staley of Frederick, PA. He was preceded in death by his parents Ralph and Eleanore Staley, his only brother, Frederick “Fred” Staley and wife Johanna.
A viewing is scheduled for Tuesday Evening, April 12, 2022 with the family receiving from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Resthaven Mortuary and Cemetery. A Memorial Service will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, April 13, 2022 at Zaik Church 888 South Webb Road, Wichita, Kansas. A Graveside Service will be held at 2:00 p.m. the same day at Resthaven Gardens of Memory 11800 West Kellogg Drive, Wichita, Kansas. The service will be livestreamed via https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCW9NI1wze1Wb4dD8Xx9PJJQ at Zaik.church/Staley
Memorials may be given to Zaik Church Missions Fund, 888 South Webb Road, Wichita, Kansas 67207.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.ResthavenMortuary-Cemetery.com for the Staley family.
