Clela L. (Willey) DeLancey

Clela L. DeLancey of Caldwell, Ohio entered the Kingdom of Heaven with her Lord and Savior on Friday May 3, 2019 at the age of 99 years on Earth.  Clela was born on December 8, 1919 in Keithtown, OH and was the last surviving child of late Benjamin & Mareeda Boney Willey, who preceded her in death along with her siblings Irene, Margel, Lawrence “Pete”, Clinton, William Marlin, Ethelyn, Clyde, Robert, Virginia, and Marian Hope. She was a graduate of Caldwell High School, and was the wife of Clifford E. DeLancey, who passed on October 13, 1978, for nearly forty years.  Together, they farmed and raised four daughters on their homestead built with hard work, patience, and love.  Preceding her in death are daughters Marilyn Faye Delancey on December 31, 2012; Doris Jeanette Buckley on April 6, 2014; and son-in-law Harry Mettler on February 5, 2013.

Living for 99 years, Clela was a person you never forget – she always had a twinkle in her eye, would tap her foot and dance at any given moment to a jig she would come up with that made everyone smile.  She loved to quilt, bake, garden and can her goods, always sharing with others, and was quite the artisan painting still life and scenic paintings, craft, or come up a new idea for something.  She played the dulcimer, keyboard, guitar, and would sing upon request to the delight of her family and friends. She was an exhibitor for over 50 years at the Noble County Fair, with countless blue ribbons and awards for her unique items.  Clela worked for a time at Hamilton Beach in Byesville, volunteered countless hours with her church, Keith United Methodist, was a beloved member of the Stitch-and-Chatter quilting club, as was her mother and daughters and a 50 year member of Laurel Grange.  Clela loved to travel and visited countless states, countries, including overseas and would always send postcards to her loved ones with a personal note. She enjoyed holidays, especially Easter, Halloween and Christmas, and most loved her daughters and their families.

Those left to cherish her precious memory are her surviving daughters, Shirley Mettler, of Dexter City, OH; Marsha (Kevin) Greenhoe; and son-in-law, Dr. Robert Buckley of Caldwell, OH; 11 grandchildren & their spouses Atty. Sharon (Dr. Morteza) Mirhaidari, Robin (Doree) Buckley, Chrystal Buckley Smith, Aaron (Fonda) Mettler, Curtis (Julie) Mettler, Myron (Angie) Mettler, Michael Allen, Donna (Joe) Polen, Tim (JoAnn) Allen, Heather Schild, and Amber (Lewis) Spear;  great-grandchildren and their families including – Nichole Buckley Piskula, Robert and Justin Buckley, Dr. Shayda, Dr. Gabriel Dr. Zach, & Dr. Cyrus Mirhaidari, Christopher Smith, Mandy Mettler Orahood, Joshua & Austin Mettler, Travis Mettler, Jessica Brown, Myra Guy, Andrea Mettler, Brittany Mettler, Michelle Allen Rainer, Vincent and Devin Allen, Timmy, Travis, and Shannon Allen, Eric Petty, Celina Oliver, Anthony Schild, Alexandra Greenhoe, and Alissa Spear;  24 great-great-grandchildren complete her legacy of love and is also survived by countless beloved nieces, nephews, cousins, neighbors, and friends.

The family will receive friends for visitation Tuesday, May 7, 2019 from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 PM at the Chandler Funeral Home, 609 West Street, Caldwell, OH 43724. A funeral service will be held Wednesday, May 8, 2019 at 1:00 PM in the Chandler Funeral Home Chapel, with Rev. Dr. Robert Buckley officiating. Burial will follow in Keith Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed in Clela’s Memory to the Keith United Methodist Church, c/o Susan Langley, 38852 Braden Road, Dexter City, OH 45727. 

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Clela L. (Willey) DeLancey, please visit our floral store.