White Funeral Home
400 First Street West
Independence, Iowa 50644

WALKER – Delbert Leland King, Jr., 77 years old, of Marengo, Iowa, and formerly of Walker, Iowa, died peacefully at his home Thursday, April 23, 2026, after a courageous battle with cancer.

Funeral Services will be 11:00 a.m. - Tuesday, April 28, 2026, at the White Funeral Home, Independence. Burial will follow at the Fontana Cemetery, Hazleton, Iowa, with military honors accorded by the United States Army assisted by the Bechter-Boies VFW and Sheehan-Tidball American Legion, both of Independence. A light luncheon will follow at the VFW in Independence.

Visitation will be 9:30 a.m. until service time, Tuesday, at the funeral home.

Delbert was born March 9, 1949, in Des Moines, Iowa, the son of Delbert Leonard and Mary Marie (Miller) King. He attended school in Independence, Iowa, and graduated from Jefferson High School with the class of 1967. On May 29, 1971, Delbert was united in marriage to Joyce Ann Gorsh at the First Baptist Church in Independence. In 1973 he joined the Army and was stationed in Hawaii during the Vietnam War. Upon his honorable discharge in 1976, he moved back to Iowa where he and Joyce raised their family. Delbert worked for Wilson’s Packing House in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, until his retirement. A longtime resident of rural Walker, when it was time to downsize off the farm, Delbert and Joyce moved to Marengo. He was a former member of the Walker American Legion and currently a member of the Marengo American Legion.

Delbert loved to be outdoors. He loved to go fishing, camping, and having cookouts with his family. He also enjoyed bowling and taking road trips. Often those road trips would end up at an auction where Delbert was looking for a good deal, or at the casino where he enjoyed playing the games and having a good steak.

Delbert is survived by his wife of 54 years, Joyce King of Marengo; 2 sons, Deryl King of Shellsburg, Iowa, Sheldon (Sheila) King of Bertram, Iowa; 1 daughter, Trishia (Dan) Fuller of Walkins, Iowa; 11 grandchildren; 7 great-grandchildren, with 1 on the way; 2 brothers, Moe (Diana) King of Quasqueton, Iowa, Leslie (Evelyn) King of Independence; 3 sisters Mary (Dick) Knudson of Quasqueton, Iowa, Crystal Gross of Mabel, Minnesota, Valerie (Jim) Teisinger of Waterloo, Iowa; and many nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his parents, 1 sister, Sylvia Brimmer, 1 half-brother, Robert Gordish; and 1 half-sister, Linda Gordish.

Memorials may be directed to the family.

Condolences may be placed at www.White-MtHope.com.
White Funeral Home, Independence, Iowa, is in charge of arrangements.