Delmar D. Went, Jr.

ELKHART — Delmar D. Went Jr., of Elkhart, passed away at home Wednesday morning, April 12, 2017, after a long battle with dementia. He was 75. 

Del was born Aug. 30, 1941, while his mother was vacationing in St. Joseph, Michigan to the late Delmar D. Went Sr. and Bonnie Jean (Gerring) Zook. 

He was introduced to his wife, B.J. by her friend. They dated for several years until she asked him to marry her. They wed on July 25, 1985, on a stormy summer day at an Oxbow Park Pavilion. Minutes after they were married, the sun came out and it was a beautiful sunshiny day, an omen the pastor said, for the rest of their almost 32 years together. 

Del is survived by his wife, B.J. Teige-Went; son David D. (Ellisha) Went of Woodland, Michigan, and daughter, Bonita Bickerton of Elkhart; he also had eight grandchildren, Elizabeth Went, Michael and Daniel Bickerton, Samuel, Ian, Margaret, Delany and Maxwell Went; and sister Bonnie Geerts of Elkhart. 

Del was a 1959 graduate of Jefferson High School, and joined the USMC, serving from 1959 until his honorable discharge in 1961. He served as a firefighter with the city of Elkhart from 1972 until he retired in 1988. 

Del worked for many years at Tusing Marina, Elkhart as a certified mechanic, with Mercury, Mercruiser and other outboard motor certifications. 

He was a life member of the Elkhart Moose Lodge and served on the board of directors at Elcome Credit Union for 10 years. 

He loved animals, reading, boating, vintage cars and Corvettes. He had over the years owned every different Corvette body style. 

A gathering of family and friends will be from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Friday, April 28, at Billings Funeral Home, 812 Baldwin St., Elkhart. Military honors by the U.S. Marine Corps Funeral Honor guard will begin at 4 p.m. Del’s wishes of cremation will be honored. 

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly request memorials to Elkhart County Humane Society or your local animal shelter or Center for Hospice of Elkhart. 

Billings Funeral Home is honored to celebrate Del’s life.

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