Delbert J. Sankey

Delbert J. Sankey, 56, of Thompson, Iowa died Sunday, May 22, 2016 at the University of Iowa Hospitals in Iowa City.

A service celebrating his life will be held 2:00 P.M. Friday, May 27, 2016 at Cataldo Schott Funeral Home, 505 North Clark St. Forest City. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the funeral home on Friday. Inurnment of cremains will be held at a later date.

Memorials may be directed to the Delbert Sankey memorial fund in care of the family.


Delbert John Sankey, son of Bruce and Betty Sankey, was born September 15, 1959. He attended Garner-Hayfield Schools and received his GED. Delbert enlisted in the Marines and completed boot camp at Camp Pendelton in California. He was skilled in welding and construction.

Some of Delbert’s favorite hobbies were to hang out with his family and friends, watch old westerns, and listen to loud music. Delbert had a heart of gold and would help anybody at anytime. He will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved him.

Delbert is survived by his wife, Sheri Sankey of Thompson, his children, Sara Sankey (Bruce O'Hern) of Forest City, Zach Sankey (Zoey Johnson) of Mason City; step-children, Amy, Valerie, Jerome & Mariah of Des Moines; his father, Bruce Sankey (Jane Graham) of Garner; grandchildren, Blaze, Jemma, Natalie and Taylor Sankey; step-grandchildren, Alexis, Robb, Lillian, Mason and Brantley; great grandchild, Alaya; brother, Rick (Denise) Sankey of Garner; sister, Becky (Mike) Rollefson of Clear Lake; nephews and nieces, Dustin (Amanda) Brown, Logan Brown (Merry Weiss), Colton Sankey, Spencer (Christina) Rollefson and Amber Sankey.

He was preceded in death by his mother and grandparents.