Peggy Jean DeLay

Peggy J. Johns DeLay passed away on October 22, 2025 at Artis of Mason in Mason, Ohio after an extended illness. She was the beloved daughter of Jesse Lawrence and Gladys Lucille (Oldham) Johns.

Peggy was blessed with four daughters, Pam (Michael, deceased) Rosecrans of St. Johns, Florida, Jama (Rick) Wade of Cincinnati, Ohio, Cindy (Brent) Winter of Columbus, Indiana, and Terri (Raymond Sjaarda) DeLay of Hunt Valley, Maryland; twelve grandchildren, Kathryn Rosecrans, Amanda Rosecrans, Eric Wade, Brieann Beckner, Natalie Moss, Autumn Reynolds, Bradley Winter, Chelsea Eads, Amy Spann, Brent Winter, Alexandra Sjaarda, and Andrea Sjaarda; twenty-three great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

Peggy was preceded in death by her husband, James W. DeLay; her daughter, Cindy DeLay Winter; her son-in-law, Michael M. Rosecrans; and her sisters, Elizabeth Long and Betty Brumfield.

She spent her youth working on her parent's dairy and chicken farm, helping her father with milk deliveries. In her teens, she befriended Jeannie (Hunley) Ratliff. They remained life long best friends for 80 years until Jeannie's death in 2024.

After marrying James DeLay, she moved with him to Ball State University campus where they started their family. Upon his graduation, they relocated to Greenfield and then Lafayette, Indiana where he worked in those school systems in their music departments. Peggy was kept very busy raising four daughters, until she took a position at the local grocery store, working her way up from cashier to office staff. She developed many lifelong friends there. Later in life she worked in the food service department at the Elkhart School System before retiring. She and Jim lived in Reynolds, Indiana until his passing in 1994. They enjoyed RV camping, water skiing, and countless celebrations with their daughters and their families.

After Jim's death, Peggy relocated back to Lafayette to be closer to family. She launched into ball room dancing, a great joy in her life. In her 70's she was blessed with another chance at love. She and her dance partner, Bill Meyers, were engaged to be married. They remained committed to each other until his death in 2022. After 25 years there, she moved to a Senior Living community in Cincinnati. While the Covid pandemic inhibited many activities, she greatly enjoyed weekly music performances with the other residents there, many of whom danced to the music with her. She was an avid Purdue basketball fan, and despite her Hoosier heritage, crossed over to be a Reds and Bengals fan. At that time she also valued attending many sporting events for her local grandchildren, until her declining health made that very difficult. The passing of her daughter, Cindy in November of 2023 took its toll on her health. Peggy lived a long life filled with joy. She is at peace and her struggles are over.

Visitation will take place on Tuesday, October 28, 2025, from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm at Bozell Funeral Homes and Crematory, Condo Chapel 130 South Main Street, Wilkinson, Indiana 46186. Funeral Services will take place at 1:00 pm on Tuesday at the funeral home, with Pastor Gary Cable Officiating.

Burial will take place at McCray Cemetery in Wilkinson next to her husband.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer's Association through the funeral home.

Online condolences may be shared at www.bozellfuneralhomes.com.