Delmer Harold Yonts

September 12, 1952 – November 9, 2024

Delmer Harold Yonts, 72, of Grant-Valkaria, FL, passed away suddenly on November 9, 2024, in Melbourne, FL. Born on September 12, 1952, in Powell, WY, Del grew up in the Whistle Creek community, where his parents, Harold and Eva Losey Yonts, were among the original homesteaders. His father was a carpenter and farmer, and his mother, the last to leave the area, instilled in Del a love for the land and the pioneer spirit of rural Wyoming.

Del’s early years were spent helping on the family farm, where he learned to grow sugar beets, wheat, barley, alfalfa, and vegetables, all while developing a strong work ethic and a pride in building alongside his father. Together, they worked on many structures throughout the Great Basin, including community centers, school gymnasiums, and homes—a legacy of craftsmanship that stayed with Del throughout his life. While in high school, he also enjoyed playing the clarinet, showing his varied interests even from a young age.

After graduating from Byron High School, Del pursued a degree in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Wyoming. This education led him to an internship at Texas Instruments, and eventually to a long and accomplished career with Collins Avionics, later known as Rockwell Collins, where he specialized in designing aircraft radios. Around 1975, Del transferred to the company’s office in Melbourne, FL, where he met Peggy Hillyer, who would become his beloved wife of 43 years.

Del and Peggy married on December 14, 1980, and made their home in Palm Bay, later moving to Valkaria, FL, in 2000 to a house they designed together from the ground up. Concerned about preserving the rural nature of the area, Del joined others in advocating for its incorporation, ultimately leading to the establishment of the town of Grant-Valkaria. Del was elected its first mayor in 2006, a role he proudly held until his passing, as he remained deeply committed to safeguarding the community he loved.

Throughout his children’s lives, Del was a deeply involved and dedicated father. He coached both Dylan and Hillery’s soccer and baseball teams and joined them on group trips in high school, including those with the Technology Student Association (TSA). Many students and friends of Dylan and Hillery saw Del as a mentor and even a father figure, remembering his kindness, encouragement, and gentle guidance. Del’s generosity and warmth extended beyond his family, creating lasting bonds with many of the young people whose lives he touched.

After his retirement in 2015, Del devoted his time to his family, whom he cherished deeply. He was present at every activity his children and grandchildren participated in, supporting them wholeheartedly. A lifelong goal of Del’s was the creation of his own woodworking shop, which he recently fulfilled. He found joy in his garden, tending the ponds with Peggy, and working on house projects alongside his children and their spouses, whom he treated as his own. The family workshop became a place of creativity and connection, reflecting Del’s love for craftsmanship and family alike.

Del was a devoted father and grandfather. He is survived by his two children, Dylan Yonts (married to Henriette Kitshoff) and Hillery Masterton (married to Craig Masterton), as well as his cherished grandchildren: Zoey, Flynn, Tanner, and Cheyenne, who knew him lovingly as “Pepaw.”

He is also survived by his brother Bob Yonts. Del was predeceased by his siblings, Larry Yonts, Linda Pangburn, and Dean Yonts, who, along with Del, formed a close and loving family.

A Celebration of Life will be held to honor Del’s life at Up The Creek Farms, details of which can be found at https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/palm-bay-fl/delmer-yonts-12072774. Del’s legacy will live on in the lives he touched, the community he helped shape, and the enduring structures he crafted with his father and in his own life’s work.