We are sad to announce that on January 14, 2022, we had to say goodbye to John Russell Delaney of Grafton, WV.  Leave a sympathy message to the family in the guestbook to show support.

Mr. Delaney was predeceased by his parents, George Samuel and Rebecca (Purkey) Delaney, his wife, Bettie Lou (Pratt) Delaney, his son, John Michael Delaney and his daughter, Sharon Kay (Delaney) Kirby.

He is survived by his sons, Steven Delaney of Augusta, WV and Rob Delaney and wife Glenda of Owings, MD and his siblings, Sandra Lou Delaney of Waynesboro, PA, Rosemary Goss of San Antonio, TX, and William Delaney of Centerville, MD.

Mr. Delaney was employed and also retired from his federal government job as a Boiler Maintenance Technician at the St. Elizabeth's Hospital in Washington, D.C. He also served three years in the U.S. Army and honorably discharged.  His marriage to his wife lasted almost 70 years but was interrupted by the sudden death of his long-time love and partner. He loved to go fishing, especially on the Chesapeake Bay, but also at ponds and creeks. Vegetable gardening was also a passion and he loved to show off his hard worked bounty.  Additionally, he loved his family above everything else in his life and was always there when problems occurred that required his personal involvement and action.

Mr. Delaney was a devout Christian and a member of the Hampshire County Gideon's organization in which he was very active in their ministry. He was very involved in church activities not only in donating funds to complete projects, but also by his personal involvement in the upkeep and maintenance of the church property.  He especially loved working on the landscapes by planting bushes and flowers, including spreading mulch, which on many occasions the aforementioned items were funded by him.  His generosity had no limitations as he donated thousands of dollars to charities and Christian organizations.  As a Gideon, he spent many hours supplying and delivering Bibles to schools, nursing homes, hospitals, churches, and even some college campuses, where he testified to students about the covenant God made through His son, Jesus Christ.  Needless to say, Mr. Delaney's faith was unquestionably strong not only in his generosity, but also in his words.  He almost always could be seen wearing a hat that said, "I Love Jesus," letting everyone know that he was a Christian.  He will be greatly missed by those who knew him, but now he is in a better place- he's in Heaven!

There will not be any funeral home visitation or service. At John's request, he will be cremated.  Inurnment will be in the WV National Cemetery, Grafton, WV.

Memorial donations may be made to the Hampshire Co. Gideon's, PO Box 240, Romney, WV 26757.

All arrangements are being handled by McKee Funeral Home, Augusta, WV.