In Memory of Delbert Chaplin
DELBERT C. CHAPLIN, 93, passed away peacefully on
June 9 in the home he built on Sombrero
Blvd. By his side were his son, Jim
Chaplin, daughter, Diane Chaplin-Colvard, son-in-law, Fred Colvard
and caregiver of two years, Catina Fantroy.
Delbert,
known by his friends as
Del, was one of
Marathon’s pioneers. In 1952, he came from
Moundsville,
WV to Marathon with
his wife, Cecelia “Celie” (a retired Marathon Realtor who preceded
him in death in 1996) and family, Jim and Diane. He built one of
Marathon’s first motels, Sea-Dell Motel, on the
“outskirts” of Marathon which later became
the center of town. A loving Father, husband, grandfather who was a
farmer, butcher, contractor and fishing captain in his early years
and later in his retirement days enjoyed fishing, hunting,
gardening, canning, cooking, raising geese, ducks and honey bees.
A member of the American Legion,
Post 154 in
Marathon for over 50 years, he was a proud Army veteran
and served his country in WWII as a Sergeant in the 1st
Calvary Division. He fought in the Pacific conflict primarily
the invasion of
Leyte
Island and the assault
against the
Island of
Luzon in the
Philippines. As
a flame thrower and a leader of men, he was decorated many times for
his valor and was awarded the Bronze Star.
In addition, he is survived by his
daughter-in-law, Bettye Chaplin, his grandsons, James and Steve and
his great-grandsons, Cooper and Camron. One of twelve children born
to Mary and Albert Chaplin, his brothers, Howard, Dana, Frank, and
sister, Evelyn, preceded him in death.
Seven siblings survive him: Alberta Cheon of
Marathon, nephews, Gary, Larry and Rodney. Almeda Leichter of
Cameron, WV,
niece, Mary. Eldean Komorowski of Moundsville,
WV, niece, Maria and nephew, Fred. Edith
Postlewaite of Glen Easton WV, nieces, Jane Ann,
Donna, nephews, Richard, & Bobby. Marlene DiMarco of Clifton,
New Jersey, niece, Roxanne and nephews,
Ralph and Sammy. Arch Chaplin of La Quinta, CA. niece, Debbie and
nephew, Archie. Loy and Nancy Chaplin of Paden
City,
WV, nephew,
Chad.
Other nephews and nieces include: Jimmy Chaplin
of Morgantown, WV, Ralph and Elabee Chaplin of Proctor, WV, Barbara
O’Brien, Phyllis Bogzvitz, Martha Fego of Zephyrhills, FL, Jack and
Carmella Kornetti of Marathon, Bill Rabito of Branford, FL, Doreen
Rabito Baumeister of Punta Gorda, Joe and Linda Rabito of Marathon,
Marlene and Tom Slack and Tom Cheon of California
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be sent
to Hospice of the Florida Keys,
1319 Williams Street, Key West,
FL
33040. A celebration of
Del’s life will be announced at a
later date.
Read Article Published Regarding Delbert
Chaplin
Marathon Mourns Loss of Pioneer
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