DELPHOS — Don Horace Childress, 86, of Delphos passed away Sunday, Sept.21, 2025, at 3:30 pm, Mercy Health – St. Rita’s Medical Center.

He was born April 3, 1939, in Gurdon, Arizona, to Don and Hazel (Cobb) Childres who preceded him in death. On June 2, 1973, he married Joan (Hurley) Childress, who survives in Delphos.

Also surviving are his sons, James Joseph Childress of Delphos and Jeff Childress of Oklahoma; stepson, John (Kham) Hutchison of Alger; grandchildren: Brandy (Jamie) Richardson, Tiffany Childress, James Childress, Jr., Sarah Childress, Elizabeth (Dino) Lasichann, Stephan (Aubrey) Elswick, Shon (Dakota) Elswick, Tyler Ridgeway; great-grandchildren: Hailey, Dylan, Austyn, Cameron, Avalon, Brantlee, Paislee, Kinslee, Drako, Truett, Hunter, Harper and Decklynn.

Don was preceded in death by a stepson, Stephen Lynn Hutchison, who died April 3, 2001; his sister and brother-in-law, Wanda and Thaddeus Gilliland III; and his nephew, Thaddeus Gilliland IV.

He retired as a maintenance supervisor at the Ford Motor Company, Lima Engine Plant. He was a veteran of the U.S. Air Force. He enjoyed bowling and golfing, achieving a hole-in-one in his lifetime. He was a movie fanatic, loved the beach, watching all football and watching NASCAR.

His family wishes to extend heartfelt gratitude to Drs. Flaherty and Mestamaker and all the nurses on 4K at Mercy Health for all the special care given to Don.

Services will begin at 2 p.m., Friday, Sept. 26 at the Shawnee Chapel of Chiles-Laman Funeral & Cremation Services, where military rites will be presented by the U.S. Air Force Honor Guard and V.F.W. Post 1275. Burial will be in Ortona Cemetery, Ortona, Florida.

Visitation will be from noon until the time of the service.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to his family for final expenses.

Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.chiles-lamanfh.com.