Delroy A. Haverly

Delroy A Haverly, 86 of New London, died peacefully Saturday, December 21, 2024 at the St. Cloud Hospital.  Memorial services will be 11:00 am Friday, January 3, 2025, at the Evangelical Covenant Church in New London.  Visitation will be 4-7 pm Thursday at the church and for one hour prior to service.  Interment will be in Oak Hill Cemetery in New London.  Arrangements are with the Johnson Funeral Home in New London. 

Delroy Austin Haverly was born June 16, 1938 in Willmar, MN to Austin and Hazel (Overson) Haverly. He attended Willmar Public Schools. In 1959, he enlisted in the army where he was stationed at Fort Benning, Georgia. He later served in Germany as a Spec 4 in the  Reconnaissance Squadron 7th Cavalry. He returned to the states to serve at Fort Riley, Kansas and was honorably discharged from the military in 1962.

On March 3, 1961, Delroy married Shirley J. Ihlang at New London Covenant Church. To this union were born seven children. Sharing 63 years of marriage, Del and Shirl created a beautiful family and called New London home. In 1963, he started his own business, Del’s Auto Supply, allowing him to determine his own schedule and build treasured relationships with his customers. He officially retired in 2013, but continued to work his delivery route part-time until his death.

Del was an avid outdoorsman and involved in numerous sportsman clubs. He enjoyed trapshooting, hunting and fishing with family and friends. His passion led him to teach thousands of youth over his 50 years as a firearm safety instructor through the Isaac Walton League. Del began trapshooting as a young man and was an active member of the American Trapshooting Association. Over the years, he competed in hundreds of local and national shoots winning numerous awards, including the great accomplishment of shooting over 100,000 clay targets. Del found great joy in building lifelong friendships and being an influential member of the trapshooting and sportsman community.

Whether reminiscing with his army buddies, working his route, or sitting in a duck blind, Del had a remarkable ability to make those around him feel truly valued. No matter where he was or what he was doing, he always took the time for others. His gift for making people feel special was matched by his exceptional talent for storytelling, which will be deeply missed.

Del attended and was a member of New London Covenant Church. As Del’s faith grew, so did his desire to pass on his love of the Lord to others, especially his 13 grandchildren. He took incredible pride in watching them grow, learn and compete in their many activities. Forever sharing his stories, Del shaped the lives of his grandchildren by imparting his wisdom and guiding them with his love.

He is survived by his loving wife Shirley; his children, Troy (Pam), Cherise, Kristine (Chris) Johnson, Rebecca Ruder, and Sara (Aaron) Schultz; Grandchildren, Elizabeth (Randy) Beyer, Jonathan (Karlee) Haverly, Mariah and Logan Hammer, Trent, Trevor (Madison) and Tate Johnson, Lauren, Anna and Kate Ruder, Bennett, Blake and Breck Schultz; and 2 great grandchildren, Emmalyn and Sydney Haverly; sister Iola (Jerome) Post; Brother-in-Law, Robert (Jackie) Ihlang and many nieces and nephews. Other survivors include: Ann (Brian) Carlton, Mary (Dean) Lohse, Debbie Norris and Randy (Michelle) Norris.

He was preceded in death by his parents Austin and Hazel, his sons: Courtney and Darren, his son-in-law Bill Ruder, his brother Marlin (Swede), his sister Bonnie Foster, Stanley and Mildred Ihlang, Junie Norris-Ihlang and Bill Norris.

Del spent his final days enjoying the company of others while sharing his love and stories with his dear family.

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