Delbert Amstutz

Delbert Ray Amstutz, 71, of Tucson, Arizona, passed away on Friday, September 21, 2012 at Villa Maria Care Center after several months battling COPD and emphysema. Delbert was born August 13, 1941 west of Wadsworth, Ohio in a small two story farmhouse, the oldest of Clair Eugene Amstutz and Mildred Josephine [Shook] Amstutz. Delbert grew up in Ohio, dropping out of high school to work and he performed factory work most of his life. He spent six years in the Ohio National Guard and received an Award of Merit from the State of Ohio before being honorably discharged in 1966. Delbert spent four years racing open-wheel cars on several oval dirt race tracks around Wayne County, OH until 1970, and was an avid fan of racing his entire life. Twelve years of his life he worked for the J.M. Smucker Company in Orrville, OH while raising a family and attending Crown Hill Mennonite Church in Rittman, OH. During this period of his life he made lifelong friendships that would span the decades and half the continent. Tired of shoveling snow, Delbert moved the family to the desert of Tucson, Arizona in May 1980 on a shoestring and a prayer, but found work easily and then spent twenty-eight years working for R & R Products Co. where he made several close friends that stood by him until the end. Delbert enjoyed painting the paint-by-number pictures and completed several hundred throughout the years, sharing them with family and friends. Delbert was married and divorced twice and had five children. He finished high school in 1981 when he was 39 years old, earning his GED and making his family proud. He enjoyed fishing and driving fast, dirt-track racing and cheering on other drivers in the sport, but his greatest love was his family. Delbert had a knack for telling colorful stories about his escapades growing up and captured them in writing for his family to have for the future. Delbert was hospitalized in July of this year and was cared for at Villa Maria until his passing in the presence of his children. Delbert is survived by daughters Melissa Amstutz-Ringo, Jody Wagner and Anita Martin, one son, Neil Amstutz, and one daughter-in-law, Jaime Amstutz. Delbert had eight grandchildren: Wade, Melanie, Travis, Courtney, Brianna, Yvette, Carole and Natalie; and six great-grandchildren. Delbert is also survived by his sister, Lucille Raper of Wooster, OH and sister-in-law Nancy Amstutz of Creston, OH; brothers Gary [Gail] Amstutz of Tennessee, and Harold Gene [Crystal] Amstutz and Edward Amstutz of Wooster, OH. Delbert was preceded in death by his parents, his brother William “Bill” Amstutz, and a son Gregory Amstutz. Memorial services will be held at Tucson Community Church, 265 W. Valencia Road, Tucson, AZ on Saturday, October 6, 2012 at 4:00 pm. Casual dress is acceptable, sprint car racing shirts also acceptable. The family has asked that in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Villa Maria Care Center, 4310 E. Grant Road, Tucson, AZ 85712 in Delbert’s name. Psalm 90:10. Fly home Dad.