George Joseph Delaney, 87, of Kirksville, formerly of Baring, Missouri, passed away Monday, February 17, 2014, at his residence in Kirksville, Missouri.
George was born on November 1, 1926, near Baring, Missouri the son of William Nicholas and Grace C. Kurth Delaney.
He attended Kiley Rural School, Baring Elementary and graduated from Baring High School in the Class of 1944.
George served his country in the United States Army during World War II, spending eleven months in Japan before returning home to farm with his dad. He farmed in Adair County, Missouri before buying his dads farm near Baring, Missouri.
On February 15, 1950 at the St. Aloysius Catholic Church in Baring, Missouri, George married Dorothy Elizabeth Snyder.
He served as Baring Postmaster for twenty-four years retiring in 1990. George then went to work for Dorothy in the Delaney Convenience Store in Baring until she sold it in 1997.
They were members of the St. Aloysius Catholic Church in Baring and the Mary Immaculate Catholic Church in Kirksville, Missouri. George served on the St. Aloysius Cemetery Board, Knox County School Board, Knox County Health Department Board, Mark Twain Telephone Board, and the Knox County Ambulance Board. He had been a member of the Cyril A Graham American Legion Post #261 for more than 66 years, the Knights of Columbus and the Baring Country Club that he enjoyed dearly.
George enjoyed puzzles, collecting stamps, coins and decanters. He continued to check on the farm when he happened to be in the area but he dearly loved his family and looked forward to their visits.
He is survived by his wife, Dorothy Delaney of Kirksville, Missouri; four children, William C. “Bill” Delaney of Kansas City, Kansas, Kathryn Sue “Kathy” Hatfield of Knox City, Missouri, Sharon E. “Sherry” and her husband John David Parsons of Novelty, Missouri and George Daniel “Danny” and his wife Leeanna Delaney of Palmyra, Missouri; three brothers, Jim Delaney of Sarasota, Florida, Bill and Margie Delaney of Jacksonville, Florida, and Dick and JoAnn Delaney of Stranton, Pennsylvania; a sister, Judy and Jim Taylor of Baring, Missouri; a sister-in-law, Mary Delaney of Des Moines, Iowa, five grandchildren, Lori and Kelly Hall of Ewing, Missouri, Allen and Kim Hatfield of Knox City, Missouri, Brad and MacKenzie Parsons of Kirksville, Missouri, Wesley Parsons of Novelty, Missouri and Tanner Delaney of Palmyra, Missouri; six great grandchildren, Travis and Harlie Hall, Delana and Michael Hatfield, and Brody and River Parsons; along with numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and a host of friends.
George was preceded in death by his parents, Bill and Grace Delaney; a brother, Bob Delaney, a sister and brother-in-law, Mary and Ray Cahalan, a sister, Delores Delaney; and a sister-in-law, Mary Delaney.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11:00 a.m. Friday, February 21, 2014 at the St. Aloysius Catholic Church in Baring, Missouri.
Visitation will be after 2:00 p.m. Thursday, February 20, 2014 with the family receiving friends from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Doss Funeral Home in Edina, Missouri. A Christian Prayer Service will be at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday evening.
Burial with Full Military Honors by Cyril A Graham American Legion Post #261 and Knox County Memorial VFW Post #4822, will be in the St. Aloysius Cemetery in Baring, Missouri.
Father Chris Cordes and Deacon Dave Ream will officiate and music will be provided by Brent Karhoff and Beth Frye. Pall Bearers will be Tanner Delaney, Wesley Parsons, Travis Hall, Brad Parsons, Allen Hatfield, Kelly Hall, Eddie Bryant and Joe Delaney, along with Honorary Bearers, Gurden Tague, Fred Cordray, Sonny Blaise, Dwight DeRosear, Brother Bob Shaffer, Bill Rhode, Jim Lyon, Dave Clark, Jack Delaney and Richard Witherow.
An expression of sympathy in memory of George Delaney may be left to the NEMO Senior Citizens in Kirksville, Missouri. A memorial may be left at or mailed to the Doss Funeral Home 208 N. 4th Street, Edina, Missouri 63537.
