Delphine C. "Del" McMichael Obituary (1931 - 2019)

Delphine C. "Del" McMichael, 87 of Bloomington passed away Thursday April 18, 2019 at 9:47 AM at Martin Health Center in Bloomington. There will be a service for Del Monday April 22, 2019 at 2:30 PM at Calvert & Metzler Memorial Home in Bloomington. Chaplain Joyce Rinkenberger will officiate. There will be a visitation from 1-2:30 Monday at the Memorial Home. Entombement will be at Park Hill Mausoleum in Bloomington. Memorials may be made to Unit 5 Educational Foundation care of Oakdale Elementary School in Normal where her daughter Jan taught Special Education for 35 years. Calvert & Metzler Memorial Home in Bloomington is handling arrangements. Delphine was born on April 30, 1931 in Youngstown, Ohio to Stephen H. and Frances M. (Hlebovy) Olenick. Del grew up on the family dairy farm helping to make ice cream treats and working in their Dairy store in town. She was active in high school events including as a drum majorette in the school band. Delphine married Thomas R. (TR) McMichael on August 28, 1954 in Poland, Ohio. He preceded her in death on February 4, 1997. Delphine is survived by her children, Patti (Mike) Powell, Goreville, IL; T. Scott McMichael, Coloma, MI; Jan (Gary) Ewen, Heyworth; 12 grandchildren, and 15 great grandchildren. Also surviving are her brothers and sisters, Stephen "Smokey" (Donna) Olenick, Boardman, OH; James (Olga) Olenick, Franklin, KY; Mary Francis (Bob) Rish, Lowellville, OH, and Virginia Riley, Kennesaw, GA. She is preceded in death by her parents and a brother-in-law, Mike Riley. Delphine attended Youngstown College Business School, receiving her ABA degree and was a member of the Alpha Iota Sorority. After graduating she worked for Associates Financial Services in Youngstown where she met and married Tom. They transferred to South Bend, Indiana in 1958 where they raised their children and made many life-long friends. In 1976 they moved to Naperville, IL where she worked at Amoco Research Center. In 1989 they moved to Bloomington-Normal to be closer to family. Delphine enjoyed collecting antiques, going to flea markets, and called herself a "garage sale junky". She also enjoyed playing bridge and golf. She was in the womans league at Ironwood Golf Course in Normal. In 2007 she made a Hole-in-One. Most of all Del enjoyed spending time with family, sewing quilts for her grandchildren, and traveling. Delphine was loved by many and will be deeply missed by her family and friends.