Delores L. DeLong

Delores L. DeLong, 80, of Pekin, passed away at 1:40 p.m., Monday, December 15, 2025, at Richard L. Owens Hospice Home in Peoria.

She was born to Forest Elmer and Florence Irene (Barrett) Millington in Peoria on December 30, 1944.

She married Donald DeLong in Peoria on May 12, 1984. They enjoyed 41 years of love and joy together.

Delores was preceded in death by her parents; one son, Don DeLong Jr.; one daughter-in-law, Jennifer Chitwood; one brother, Sonny; and two sisters, Rose, and Jean.

Delores is survived by her husband, Don; two sons, Robert Chitwood of Bettendorf, IA, and Scott (Tammi) Chitwood of Davenport, IA; two daughters, Tonya (Reggie) Garnett of East Peoria and Mandy (Alex) Guhlstorf of Atlanta, IL; eleven grandchildren, Steven Chitwood, Michael Chitwood, Hanna Chitwood, Christopher Chitwood, Joshua Chitwood, Tara Chitwood, Austin Gravitt, Gavyn Gravitt, Madisyn Gravitt, Matt Adams, and Tim Adams; 11 great-grandchildren, Delaney Chitwood, Beau Chitwood, Emmett Holler, Michael Chitwood Jr., Olivia Chitwood, Kile Adams, Laila Adams, Kaleb Adams, Noah Adams, Abel Adams and, Reilly Adams; two sisters, Vivian of North Carolina and Pat of Arkansas.

Delores was a cherished, long-time member of Calvary Baptist Church in Pekin, where her faith anchored her life and brought warmth to her community. Professionally, she dedicated a decade as an underwriter at Pekin Insurance before pouring her heart into leading the Aftercare Program for the South Pekin School District, nurturing young minds with the same care she gave her own family. An avid reader who could lose herself in the pages of a good book for hours, Delores also delighted in the thrill of computer games, the creative joy of scrapbooking cherished memories, and the soothing rhythm of sewing. She and her beloved Don shared a passion for adventure, traveling the open road and camping under starry skies. They created countless treasured memories during idyllic seasons at Evening Star Camping Resort near Topeka, as well as on exhilarating vacations abroad. Above all, Delores loved her family with a fierce and boundless devotion, embodying the roles of faithful wife, loving mother, and adoring grandmother with grace, tenderness, and unwavering commitment.

A private Memorial Service will be held on Monday, December 22, 2025 with Pastor Frank Winfrey officiating. A public Celebration of Life will be held in the Spring.

Memorials may be made to Calvary Baptist Church, 921 Caroline St, Pekin, IL 61554.