Obituary of Bernard L. Delaney

Bernard L. "Ben" Delaney, 60, of Shippenville, passed away Wednesday evening, December 1, 2010 at Clarion Hospital, after a lengthy illness. Born March 3, 1950 in Butler County, he was the son of the late Lloyd B. Delaney and Ruth L. Olcus Delaney of the Tylersburg area. Raised in Petrolia until the age of 9, he attended Petrolia Elementary School. He also attended Sunday school at St. Paul United Church of Christ at Chicora, R.D. In 1959, the Delaney family moved to the Tylersburg area due to his father's health. There he attended North Clarion Schools. In his school years, he worked several odd jobs in the area. He later worked for Morris Lumber of Youngstown, Glass Containers of Marienville, Wagner and Hartle Construction of Shippenville. In 1970 he started at Clarion State College, now Clarion University of PA, first as a clerk, promoted to Stock Clerk, and then in 1975 he was promoted to Equipment Operator and retired as a Labor Foreman after nearly 26 years of service due to poor health. In his younger years, Ben had quite an enthusiasm for square dancing. Throughout his life he loved good ol' country, hillbilly and country gospel music. Before his failing health, he liked working in his very large garden and small scale farming. Many remember him for his very large barn sales. In later years he had a passion for playing with his computer. He was well known for greeting cards and other materials that he designed, crafted and printed with it. Most of all he enjoyed and loved his home and family. Ben was a member of the Tylersburg United Methodist Church where he had attended since childhood. He had served as Parsonage Trustee, Chairman of Church Trustees, Vice Chairman of Charge Administration Board and Charge Certified Lay Speaker. Most recently he had been affiliated with The Gospel Center at Reynoldsville. On his mother and father's 24th anniversary, August 6, 1971 he was united in marriage to Rebecca A. Wagner in Shannondale by Rev. Martin A. Wagner, father of the bride. Becky preceded him in death on April 30, 2008. In addition to his mother, Ben is survived by one son, Jonathan "Jonny" Todd Delaney of Shippenville and one daughter, MarcyLou Ann Lewis and her husband, James C. Lewis and their daughter, Jamie R. Lewis, all of Cortland, Ohio. He is also survived by one brother, Ronald L. Delaney and his wife, Anna of Leeper and two sisters, Brenda Hoover and her husband, Stephen of Lucinda and Lori Sarver and her husband, Michael of Blairsville. He is also survived by several nieces and nephews, uncles and aunts. In addition to his father who died on December 29, 1996, Ben was preceded in death by two sons, Marty Lloyd on June 25, 1987 at 5 weeks of age and Joseph James on May 27, 1988 at birth. He also was preceded in death by one infant brother, Lewis Edwin. Friends and family may call on Friday, December 3, 2010 from 2 - 4 & 7 - 9 and Saturday, December 4, 2010 from 10 - 11 at the Borland Funeral Home, Inc. in Leeper. A funeral service will be held on Saturday, December 4, 2010 at 11:00 a.m. in the funeral home with Rev. Bob Myers pastor of The Gospel Center in Reynoldsville, officiating. Interment will follow in the Old Emanuel Lutheran Cemetery in Shippenville. The family suggests memorials be made to the Tylersburg United Methodist Church.