Delores June Phelps

Delores June (Beaver) Phelps, passed away peacefully, with loved ones by her side, on May 16, 2026, at the Rensselaer Care Center, after years of fighting a rare form of dementia. She was 79 years old, missing her 80th birthday by just weeks. She was born on June 3, 1946, the second of four children born to her parents, Merle Leo Beaver and Vernetta “Charlene” (Harrington) Beaver, of Rensselaer. Delores was a lifelong resident of Rensselaer. She graduated from Rensselaer Central High School in 1964. While in school, she focused her studies on secretarial skills, which she used her entire life, both at home and at work. She worked for the Farmer’s and Merchants Bank as a bookkeeper, before becoming a mother. Delores spent many years out of the workforce to be a stay at home mom, which she did until her youngest started school. She loved being a room mother for school holiday parties and volunteered for as many as possible. Smith’s True Value Farm Store was her first job back in the workforce. Again, she did bookkeeping and other office work; often working out on the floor, as well. Her last job before retiring was at Jasper County Hospital (now Franciscan). It is there that she stayed for nearly 25 years. She began in sterilization and worked her way up to be the head of purchasing, where she had to learn new computer skills. As always, she excelled. To say Delores had a zest for life is an understatement. She was an early riser and kept busy all day long. She was always working on something, whether she was outdoors tending her gardens or inside doing household chores. She kept an immaculate house. In her “spare” time she enjoyed a variety of crafting hobbies, all while raising her children. As a little girl she wanted to be a cowboy, not a cowgirl, because cowboys got to have more fun. John Wayne and Roy Rogers were her favorite cowboys. She was over the moon when, at the Indiana State Fair, she actually got to meet Roy Rogers in person. That day, she got an autographed picture and touched his arm. Aside from her family, there were three constants in Delores’s life. First, the color red was her absolute favorite color. She had red clothes, a red car, a red kitchen, red carpet and so on. She had so many red things that her first grandchild, Justin, called her the “Red Grandma.” Second, she loved strawberries. Anything strawberry would do. Lastly, she adored Elvis. She had all of his records and watched every movie he made. She would play his songs so loud that you would swear that the walls were vibrating. It was a deep regret of hers that she didn’t get to see him in concert. Later in life, Delores discovered how just how wonderful cats were. It gave her great joy to bring some in the house to keep her company and sleep with her, especially when the dementia started. She liked gardening and loved flowers, especially roses. Delores liked all things western and Native American, which is how she decorated many of the walls in her home. With Terry, she enjoyed going to the Covered Bridge Festival and Nashville in Brown County. She always found something unique or interesting that she wanted to buy. Delores is survived by her husband of 31 years, Terry Phelps of Monticello; two daughters, Tina Hays of Bloomington, Indiana and Kimberly (Eric) Allison of Rensselaer, and one son, Eric Putman of Rensselaer. She is also survived by her siblings: Wayne (Suzette) Beaver of Monument, Colorado; Gary (Susan) Beaver of Minneapolis, Minnesota and Debra Beaver of Red Boiling Springs, Tennessee. Delores was blessed to have four grandchildren: Justin (Krystal) Allison of West Lafayette, Indiana; Andrew (Lacie) Allison of Rensselaer; Breeanna (Joe) Rhode of Kirklin, Indiana and Ashley (Joshua) Bell of Stockbridge, Michigan. She also had eight great-grandchildren: Emma, Camryn, Kassidy, Freya and Zaff Allison; Scarlett and Jude Rhode and Charlotte Bell. Also surviving are nephew, Bradley Beaver and niece, Dawn Beaver. Delores was preceded in death by her parents and a son-in-law, Dana Keith Hays. Friends may call on Thursday, May 21, 2026, from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM CT at Jackson Funeral Chapel of Rensselaer. A funeral service will follow at 1:00 PM CT with Pastor Bill Taylor officiating. Interment at Memory Gardens of Rensselaer. Memorial contributions may be made to Almost Home Humane Society

Delores June Phelps

June 3, 1946 - May 16, 2026