Deliah Calhoun

Deliah Calhoun, 90, South Whitley, died surrounded by family at 1:44 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 20, at her home in South Whitley.

She was born April 7, 1932, in Prestonsburg, Ky. Deliah was one of 14 children born to Leander Rose and Nora (Campbell) Rose. On June 2, 1951, she married the love of her life, Dewey Calhoun. They experienced the joy of becoming parents to six wonderful sons, and celebrated many times over as their family expanded with grandchildren. Deliah and Dewey were blessed with 60 years of marriage before he passed away Aug. 28, 2011.

After moving from Kentucky, Deliah and Dewey settled into the Sidney area with their six sons and started a sawmill at their home while she also managed to work full-time while caring for her young boys before venturing to Fort Wayne to begin Calhoun Lumber Company. Deliah was very proud of what they were able to accomplish with their hard work and their successes that allowed them to live comfortably in their later years on the farm they loved so much near South Whitley.

As busy as Deliah was, she also managed to find time to be an active member of her church and was well known for the delicious meals she helped to provide. Her lifelong friendships, that she cherished so much, were an important part of her life. There was no limit to Deliah’s generosity; she often opened her home to people who needed a place to stay whether for a night or longer and seemed to never run out of energy. Deliah loved gardening, and the size was always too large to just be called a hobby. The greatest joy for Deliah was her family; there was nothing she loved more than her boys. There was nothing she would not do for them.  When the grandchildren began to come along, she loved making comparisons to her “boys’” when they were little. They all loved their Granny very much, and it was mutual.

Deliah struggled the last few years with poor health but was still able to enjoy her family and was happiest when her house was full with all the people she loved so much. She loved her siblings dearly, and they gave her great strength. Their love carried her through many difficulties throughout her life. Deliah will be greatly missed by her family, friends and church family. She lived a full life and set an example for the rest of us, with how to tirelessly and selflessly care for others. She was truly one of a kind, and we were so fortunate to be a part of her life. Deliah will be lovingly remembered as a wonderful mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend to many.

She leaves behind four sons, Don Calhoun, Pierceton, Dean (Sandy) Calhoun, Coldwater, Mich., Joe Calhoun, Sidney and Denver (Luann) Calhoun, Avila; eight grandchildren, Nicky (Aaron) Calhoun Stankewicz, Rose (Michael) Calhoun, Thomas Calhoun, Wesley (Amanda) Calhoun, Daniel (Jessica) Calhoun John, Christine and Kara Calhoun; and eight great-grandchildren, Ella and Grady Stankewicz, Charlotte and Abram Calhoun, Haylyn, Brenna and Finley Calhoun and Drue Calhoun.

Also surviving are her brothers and sisters, Sue (Jack) Shoemaker, Oceola, Katherine (Curt) Shepherd, Warsaw, Ted (Janice) Rose, North Manchester, John (Martha) Rose, Mentone, May (Talmage) Vance, Phoenix, Ariz., Malcomb (Mariam) Rose, Fort Wayne, Russel (Kathy) Rose, Claypool, Bill (Karen) Rose, Silver Lake, John (Martha) Rose, Mentone, Russell (Kathy) Rose, Claypool and Bill (Karen) Rose, Silver Lake; daughter-in-law: Janet Calhoun, South Whitley; and her brother-in-law, Frank Hartbarger, Elkhart.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Dewey Calhoun on Aug. 28, 2011; two sons, Robert “Bob” Calhoun on June 25, 2015 and Wayne Calhoun on Nov. 1, 2021; brother, Leander Jr. “Bud” (Jackie) Rose; and her sister, Irene Hartbarger.

Deliah’s life will be celebrated at 2 p.m. Friday, Sept. 23, 2022, at Redpath-Fruth Funeral Home, 225 Argonne Road, Warsaw, and officiated by Pastor Glenn Hall. Burial will follow with a graveside service at Hillcrest Cemetery, Pierceton. Friends and family may visit prior to the service from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the funeral home.

Memorial donations may be directed to Free United Baptist Church, 7035 SR 13S, Pierceton, IN 46562