Delma Irene Novinger

Delma Irene (Newcomer) Novinger, 95, of Independence, MO, passed away, Friday, September 2, 2005 after a slow sweet decline while a resident of The Groves, Independence, MO. She was born November 2, 1909 to Clyde and Addie (Blakesley) Newcomer in May, OK. The family moved to Lamoni, IA, when she was three years old and she always considered Lamoni her home town. She graduated from Graceland College in 1929, and after a year teaching close to home, took a position in Colorado, teaching grades 1-3 with a handsome young man teaching 4-6. She married Thomas M. Novinger in April, 1934. They made homes in Colorado, New Mexico and Kansas to raise their three children, Marilyn Jean, Thomas Lane and Linda Ann. They were famous for their duets, Delma�s rich soprano and Tom�s sweet tenor blending perfectly. Delma sang all her life, solo�s, duet�s with Tom and with choirs and choruses, in church and out. She loved her God and her church, was a lifelong RLDS, now Community of Christ member and in the last years of her independent life, enjoyed the fellowship of the Waldo Restoration Branch, where she was known as the "Hat Lady.� She was preceded in death by her parents, her three sisters and two brothers, her husband, Tom, and her first born, Marilyn Jean Schott. She is survived by her son, Tom Novinger and her daughter Linda (Deborah Daniel) Novinger, three grandsons, Chris Lane Novinger, Dennis O�Dell Schott (Robin) and David Lane Schott (Victoria) and granddaughter, Jama Jean Schott and seven great grandchildren. She lived the last eleven years of her life at Resthaven/ The Groves where she could be heard singing and drumming out the beat of many songs and hymns. There she received the best and most loving care possible. She had an eye for simple beauty, an ear and the voice for beautiful music and a heart full of love and laughter. If she could help, she was happy. She would say "Let there be peace on earth and good will towards everybody.� We�ll miss you Mom. Delma�s ashes will be laid to rest next to her beloved Tom in Plains, KS, with graveside services at a later date. The family suggests memorials to The Groves.