Delbert B. Black

Delbert B. Black

Age 90, of South Lyon, went home to be with the Lord on March 2, 2023. He was born May 23, 1932, in Grand Rapids, Michigan; son of William and Ruth (Biery) Black. He graduated from Northville High School in 1951 where he played football for the Mustangs. Del married his high school sweetheart, Ila Baxter on March 24, 1951, and dedicated the next 71 years to the love of his life.

Following graduation, Del started his career at Guernsey Farms Dairy where he obtained his certificate in pasteurization. He then worked at Twin Pines Dairy, delivering milk in Detroit and Northville.  A hard worker who wasn’t busy enough delivering milk, Del began building homes, completing 8 homes as an independent contractor: laying brick, framing, and doing all of the finish carpentry. He also was responsible for building the IV Seasons building in Northville. In 1963, Del opened his first shoe store in downtown Northville; Del’s Shoes. This remained a fixture of Northville for the next 29 years.  All total, Del started 14 different stores in Michigan and Indiana. These were family businesses run by Del and his wife, along with their children. Following the closure of the last shoe store in 1992, he started a shirt/sweatshirt business with his daughter Diana. Del finally retired in 2009, but never slowed down. In retirement, he enjoyed maintaining a beautiful yard and spending time on his John Deere tractor working in his garden. In addition, he built screen houses at a campground in Munith, MI.

Del was a fixture in Northville his entire life. Known as a fun guy who made the most out of life, he loved people and enjoyed spending time with friends and family. In addition to the myriad of businesses he owned and operated, he spent 8 years on the Northville City Council; was a member of the Northville Rotary; and headed up the annual side-walk sales in Northville for many years.  He was also very active as a member of the First Baptist Church of Northville.

He is survived by his wife Ila; his children, Mark (Lois) Black, Diana (Jim) Fisher, and Dan (Sandi) Black; his grandchildren, Elizabeth (Richard) Burns, Kathrine (Jeff) Snyder, Maria (Don) Parvu, Dan (Maria) Black Jr., Aimee Black, Victoria (Justin) Arnett, and Ben Black; 12 great grandchildren; and 1 great-great grandchild.  He was preceded in death by his parents William and Ruth and his brothers Albert, Robert, Hubert, and Gilbert.

Memorial Visitation will be held on Friday, March 10, 2023 from 10 am until Noon; followed immediately by a Memorial Service beginning at 12 pm at Casterline Funeral Home, 122 West Dunlap, Northville.  His son, Rev. Mark Black will officiate the service.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to Angela Hospice, 14100 Newburgh Road, Livonia, MI 48154.