Delbert Blake

Funeral services for Delbert Blake, of Gillette, will be held 10:00 A.M. on Monday, March 26, 2007 at the Stevenson-Wilson Funeral Home, in Gillette, Wyoming, with Pastor Sonja Brucklacher of the Prince of Peace Lutheran Church officiating. Interment will follow in Gillette?s Mt. Pisgah Cemetery, with Military Honors provided by the American Legion Post #42. Visitation will be held from 3-7 P.M. on Sunday, March 25, 2007 at the funeral home. Mr. Blake, age 79, died Thursday, March 22, 2007 at his home due to complications from cancer. Delbert Abe Blake was born on April 2, 1927 to Walter and Mable (Fox) Blake in Geary, Oklahoma. Delbert was raised and educated in Nappanee, Nebraska. After finishing the 8th grade, Delbert?s family moved back to Geary. Only staying in Geary briefly, Delbert and his father moved to Prescott, Arizona and their family met them their later. In Arizona they owned and operated several rock quarries. In 1945 Delbert was drafted into the Army and fought in WWII. The next several years, following his honorable discharge, Delbert moved around the western states for work until settling in Farmington, New Mexico in 1952. In 1968 Delbert came to Gillette to work in the oilfields. Shortly after moving to Gillette Delbert met Ruth Louise O?Brian. In 1969 they were married and merged into a family of 14. From then on Delbert worked hard driving truck in the oilfield and raising his family. In 1990 he retired, enjoying his family and life. Delbert?s first love and passion was his family. He loved to go for drives and trips, always finding the back roads. Delbert also enjoyed hunting and fishing. He always was one to talk about the old times. Delbert is survived by his wife Ruth; his ten children: Larry (Dianne) Dayhoff, Margaret (Arnold) Holyoak, Tandy (Carol) Dayhoff, Mark (Deborah) Blake, Jim (Sharon) O?Brian, Mike O?Brian, Caroline (Joe) Schnieder, Vonda (Dan) Jordan, Margie Beauchamp, Delores (Mark) Fransin; 36 grandchildren and numerous great-grandchildren; 3 sisters: Elnora Geraldine, Beatrice and 1 brother Gene as well as numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in Death by his parents; 2 sons; one sister and 4 brothers.Memorials in Delbert?s name are suggested to benefit the Hospice of Campbell County Memorial Hospital. Condolences and donations can be sent c/o Stevenson-Wilson Funeral Home, 210 W. 5th, Gillette, WY 82716 or via the internet at www.stevensonwilson.com.