James E. “Jim” Delzell, 87, Stevens Point, a retired Stevens Point businessman, died Sunday, June 10, 2012, at Point Manor in Stevens Point, while under the care of Ministry Home Care-Hospice Services.
A service celebrating his life will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday at Boston Funeral Home in Stevens Point. Burial will be in Forest Cemetery in Stevens Point at a later date.
Visitation will be at the funeral home from 9 a.m. Saturday until the service.
Memorials may be made to the Janet R. Jensen Scholarship Fund at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point.
Condolences may be offered online at www.bostonfuneralhome.net.
Mr. Delzell was born Nov. 2, 1924, in Stevens Point, a son of the late Wilson and Ruth (Oster) Delzell. He grew up in Stevens Point and graduated from P.J. Jacobs High School.
He was inducted into the U. S. Army on June 21, 1943, and served in Europe during World War II. As a result of his service, he earned a Victory Medal, a European African Middle Eastern Theater Ribbon with two Bronze Battle Stars and three Overseas Service Bars, and a Good Conduct Medal. He was honorably discharged on Jan. 25, 1946.
After his discharge, he returned to Stevens Point and began working with his family at Delzell Oil & Heating. He delivered fuel oil for a number of years and eventually worked his way up to management and ultimately became the owner. He later expanded his business by adding service stations, a tire center and a restaurant. He worked for more than 35 years and retired in 1983.
He was married to Shirley Ann Cassidy on June 14, 1947, at St. Stephen Catholic Church in Stevens Point. They later divorced.
He was married to Janet (Thompson) Jensen on June 26, 1989, in Stevens Point.
They made the Minocqua area their home, prior to returning to Stevens Point in 2010.
He was a volunteer with Kiwanis, Boy Scouts of America, National Ski Patrol, Lions Club and the Humane Society of Portage County.
Survivors include his wife; four daughters, Judith Delzell, Oxford, Ohio, Diane “Dede” (William) Miskoski, Friendship, Gail (Samuel Unangst) Delzell, Chapin, S.C., and Tanya (J.J.) Molony, Blue Mounds; one son, Thomas, Rockledge, Fla.; one brother, Robert, Burlingame, Calif.; one sister, Suzanne Cashin, Scottsdale, Ariz.; his extended family, Jim Jensen, Basalt, Colo., Tom (Pam) Jensen and Mike (Anne) Jensen, both of Stevens Point, John (Linda) Jensen, Savannah, Ga., Mary (Dave) Talbot, Woodruff, Fred (Jennifer) Jensen, El Dorado Hills, Calif., and Kathy (Alex) Zeibot-Jensen, St Paul, Minn.; 29 grandchildren; 18 great grandchildren, and a close friend, Sr. Ann Wittman.
He was also preceded in death by his former wife; two sons, James Jr. and Frederick; one daughter, Jean; and one brother, Wilson.
