Norton resident, Delmer Stewart, passed away at the Norton County Hospital on Sunday October 2, 2022, at the age of 69.

He was born on April 6, 1953 in Torrance, California to Delmer and Myrtle "Jean" (Clark) Stewart.

Del spent his early life growing up in the deserts of southern California.  In 1969, he married his first wife, Anna, and they had 3 daughters:  Rachel, Helen, and Mary Jane.  While he had a job digging graves and worked at a glass company called Glaziers with his brother, Steve, the majority of his career choices involved construction of various kinds, often involving wood.  In the mid 90s, a construction job opportunity brought him to Norton, KS.  Here, he met Nancy Scheimo.  They hit it off quickly and married on March 22, 1997.  Later that year, Nancy gave birth to their daughter Kristin.  He also gained a step-son, Justin.  After continuing work for C&R Western Construction and then Western Pest Control, they started their own pest control company, Bug Busters.  His last employment before retiring in 2019 was with Ace Hardware, which later became Kowpoke Supply & Lumber, where he was a well of construction and carpentry knowledge for fellow employees and customers alike.

During his youth, he loved riding dirt bikes and racing motorcycles; at one point, he even drove an offroad chase truck for races.  Throughout the latter portions of his life, fishing and hunting were among his favorite recreational activities.  He also found enjoyment in vehicles – old cars, muscle cars, Jeeps, and more. As his diabetes started causing problems and he couldn't fish or cruise around town as much, he loved watching TV, becoming interested in shows that could teach you something practical or showed the (real or fictional) life of people working in the great outdoors.  However, I think anyone who knew him could see his favorite times were those spent with his friends and family.  He loved the occasional visits with his dad or any of his many siblings, for instance, even though they all lived far apart.  Also, Nancy's family honorarily "adopted" him; he enjoyed visits to her parents at the "Lincoln Street Bakery" (their house), where her mother Sylvia would share her latest baked items.  He also started attending church where Nancy's dad Ron preached; together, they made a big impact in his spiritual life.  Once his health issues began, he even more greatly looked forward to every visit from family or when he was able to get out and find what his friends were working on that day.  His health didn't allow it often after Nancy passed away, but he also enjoyed attending a new church after Nancy and her parents passed away, particularly after pastor Rob Mohr also made a huge impact on his life, starting by making a 5-hour trip just to see and pray with him before a surgery.

He was preceded in death by his wife Nancy Stewart, parents Delmer and Myrtle "Jean" Stewart, and his brother Richard Davis.

Survivors include his daughters Kristin Stewart, Rachel Stewart, Helen Stewart, and Mary Jane Stewart, son Justin Scheimo, brothers Mike Davis of Florida, Steve Stewart of California, Robert Davis of North Carolina, Scott Stewart of Nevada, sisters Cyndi Turri of Minnesota, Dorinda Micks of Iowa, Shelly Timm of California, and Janine Stewart of Nevada.

Cremation was planned. A memorial service will be held on October 29, 2022 at 2:00 in the First Church of God in Norton, Kansas.

Following the service, the family will be gathering at the Norton Legion building to receive friends.

Memorial Contributions can be made to the First Church of God, 1010 Churchill Dr., Norton, KS, 67654, or the Hays Dialysis Center.