Carol L. Delay

1945 - 2025

Carol L. (Wertz) Delay, formerly of Twentynine Palms, California, and Chino Valley, Arizona, went to her eternal rest on May 28, 2025.
Carol was born on Sept. 6, 1945, in Streator, Illinois. She was the sixth child born of nine to Mr. Noah C. Wetz and Meta H. (Ranken) Wetz. She graduated from Wyanet High School in Wyanet, Illinois. After graduation, she joined the United States Marine Corps in 1964. She was first stationed at Parris Island, South Carolina. She was then sent to El Toro Marine Base in Irvine, California. While in El Toro, she met and married her husband of 47 years, Forrest D. Delay, on Feb. 20, 1965. They had two children: son Chris A. Delay, of Mohave Valley, Arizona, and daughter Alma E. (Delay) Dale, of Prescott Valley, Arizona.
She is survived by her daughter, Alma, and her daughter-in-law, Kim Albright, of Mohave Valley, Arizona. She is survived by her sisters and brother: Sarah Wertz, of Prescott Valley, Arizona, Elizabeth Dyer, of Princeton, Illinois, Freda Stroyeck, of Chillicothe, Illinois, and John Wertz, of East Peoria, Illinois. Carol is also survived by stepbrother Noah Wertz, of Matthews, North Carolina, and sisters-in-law Sandy Wertz, of Peoria, Illinois, and Judy Wertz, of Brimfield, Illinois. Carol has multiple nieces, nephews and friends, whom she considered family.
Carol was preceded in death by her dear husband, Forrest; her son, Chris; brothers Charles Wertz, Kenny Wertz and Don Wertz; sister Helen (Wertz) Shallen; stepbrothers Woody Wertz and Carl Wertz; and her parents.
Carol was employed by MCAGCC in Twentynine Palms, California, in the position of supply clerk for facility maintenance, from which she retired. She and her husband moved to Chino Valley, Arizona, in 2006. She remained there after her husband's passing in 2012. She felt at a loss until she joined Hope Evangelical Lutheran Church in Chino Valley. Upon joining she made multiple lasting friends. Until her passing, she had a very full and eventful life, and will be greatly missed by all who knew her.
There are two celebrations of life scheduled for Carol: the first at 11 a.m. July 19, 2025, at Hope Evangelical Lutheran Church in Chino Valley, Arizona, with fellowship following. The second will be in Twentynine Palms, California, at 11 a.m. Sept. 6, 2025, at the Twentynine Palms Masonic Lodge, Oasis of Mara Lodge 735, at 72495 Larrea Ave. Lunch will be served after.