Delma J. Oates , age 85 of Freeport, IL passed away Thursday, June 20, 2019 at Lasalle County Nursing Home in Ottawa, IL. She was born on January 23, 1934 in Nora, IL to the late Delmar and Alice (Baysinger) Aurand. Delma married Clifford Oates on February 14, 1970 in Stockton, IL. Clifford passed away on April 28, 1986.

Delma was a 1953 graduate of Stockton High School. She worked at Atwoods and was a member of their 20 year club. Delma loved children and babysat for many generations. She enjoyed gardening, flowers, crocheting, fishing, and baking cookies.

She is survived by her daughter, JoDanna Oates of Grand Ridge, IL; her brother, Paul (Rosemary) Aurand of Galesburg, IL; her sisters, Kathryn Diehl-Carroll of Elizabeth, IL and Carol (Gerald) Zink of Stockton, IL; her grandchildren, Destinee (Ricky Cole) Daughenbaugh, Sayge Shelton, and Xander Shelton; her great grandson, Rowan Cole, and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, brother, Robert Aurand, sisters, Delores Leibert and Lois Dascher, and infant sister, JoAnn Aurand.

The funeral service will be held on Wednesday, June 26, 2019 at the Hermann Funeral Home in Stockton at 11:00 a.m. There will be a visitation on Tuesday, June 25, 2019 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. also at the funeral home. Interment will take place at Ladies Union Cemetery in Stockton. A memorial fund has been established.