ORA and EVA DELAUTER, Parents of the Author


ORA DALE DELAUTER, was born one-half mild north of N. Manchester, Ind. on 10 June 1891 to Aaron DeLauter and Ella Snell. While attending Manchester College his attention was turned to Eva Domer the daughter of Benjamin and Sarah Lantz Domer. His attentive interest lead to their marriage on 14 May 1914 at the family farm home on Sherman Church Road Canton, Ohio. The marriage was performed by the Rev. J. F. Kahler.

To this union were born the following sons and daughter: Domer Leon, Gerald Franklin, Pauline Grace, Jay Edgar, and Dale Ivan. (Gerald and Jay) dying in infancy. During these years Ora attempted to be a farmer, but the strong leaning and "Call" to the Christian Ministry soon took precedence over farming. Following a public sale 4 March 1921, the family was moved to Ashland Dicky Church of the Brethren, there to begin serving on 4 April 1921 as paster, which marked the beginning of a long and fruitful ministry within many areas of the Church of the Brethren.

Finding the need for further preparation, Ora attended Ashland College and Seminary, earning the degrees -- A.B. and B. Th. June 1925 and 1926.

Depression years of 1929-1933 was marred by the death of Father Domer, the closing of banks, and the taking back of the old home farm. So it was in 1932, minister became again farmer to try and salvage something for family, which now included two grandmothers and an aunt & uncle. This struggle bore fruit making it possible for Ora and family to again answer the call back into the pastoral ministry, this time to the Olivet Church near Thornville, Ohio. Serving here as paster and during many of these years as pioneer "Youth Camp" director in this District of N. Eastern Ohio.

At the annual Conference of the Brethren in June 1943, the "Call" went out to Ora to become a Director of a Civilian Public Service Camp near Hagerstown, MD and to also become Executive Secretary for the Middle District - Church of the Brethren in Maryland. This meant moving the family to Hagerstown, and begin what proved to be a new venture, and very rewarding ministry. This eventually brought to him the call to the office of Executive Secretary of all the South-Eastern Region of the Church of the Brethren. An office and residence in Bridgewater, VA. The service which Ora rendered to The Church during the years was recognized and duly rewarded when Bridgewater College conferred upon him the honored degree of Doctor of Divinity, 1951.


Looking toward retirement, Ora and Eva along with "Mother Domer" who had resided with from the time of depression years, this family moved to "Happy Corners" Church of the Brethren by Dayton, Ohio, Feb. 1956. This ministry continued until a move to Roann, Ind. in 1959 to serve on a part-time basis. Retirement, they thought would begin in Wabash in July of 1963; but the Walnut Church near Argus, Ind. needed an interim paster for the year Nov. 1964-Sept 1965, and another interim at Cedar Creek, by Garrett, Ind. Sept. 1966-Aug 1967. Back again to a comfortable place in Wabash, there to mellow and grow old together.

Ora is now alone and resides at Peabody Home, in North Manchester, Ind.

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