Delmar "Joe Del" Imler

Coloma – Delmar “Joe Del” Imler, 75, passed away on Tuesday, August 30, at his home in Coloma. Funeral services celebrating his life will be held at 11:00 on Saturday, September 3, at the First General Baptist Church, 6335 North Shore Drive, in Coloma, with Pastor Tom Langston officiating. Burial will follow at the Watervliet City Cemetery with Military Rites. Visitation will be held from 5:00 until 8:00, Friday evening, at the Davidson Chapel of Florin Funeral Service, 249 E. Center St., in Coloma. Per the family’s request, St. Louis Cardinal’s baseball attire is encouraged. Memorials may be made to either Hospice at Home or to the Berrien County Cancer Service. Messages of condolence may be sent to www.florin.net. Joe Del was born Sept. 21, 1935 in Dyess, Arkansas to William and Campie Imler. He proudly served his country during the Korean Conflict. Joe Del will be remembered for his love of both music and his family. He was a born entertainer and a lover of country music. Joe Del had a commanding voice and enjoyed both composing country music and playing his guitar. His band, ‘Joe Del and the Delawares’ was known throughout Michigan. “Anything he did, he did well or he wouldn’t do it.” Additionally, Joe Del loved fishing, telling stories, traveling, and was an avid St. Louis Cardinals baseball fan. Most of all, Joe Del loved his family and cherished having his family around him. It may have taken time for one to be accepted by him, but once he accepted a person, they were “in” and that person was affectionately given a nick-name. His children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren were the “loves of his life and could do no wrong.” Joe Del is survived by his wife and bride, Donna; children, David (Ava) Imler of Coloma, Didi (Gerry) Scheuchner of Trenton, Illinois, Michael, Sr. (Ginger) Imler of Coloma, Donna (Evans) Costner of Watervliet, and Amanda Imler of Watervliet; step-children, Tracy (Marion) Parmer of North Carolina, Chris Parmer of Coloma, Lynn (Dan) Schmidt of Texas, and Curtis (Marie) Parmer of Ann Arbor; 20 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; and by his brother, Dub Imler of Arkansas. Joe Del was preceded in death by his first wife, Della Rosetta; daughter, Diana Lynn Imler; brothers, Robert, Raymond, Richard, Paul, Grady, Willie Imler and L.C. Pruitt; nephews Bobby Joe, Danny and John Imler; mother and father-in-law, Nick and Louise Pool; and by his step-son, Edward Parmer, III.

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Delmar "Joe Del" Imler

September 21, 1935 - August 30, 2011