Obituary – Delbert M. Mings
Delbert McKinley Mings, son of Nolan Mings and Alma Mings Mooney, was born July 7, 1960, in Excelsior Springs, Missouri, and died July 10, 2026, at his home in Chrystal Lakes, Missouri. He was sixty-six years and three days old. He had battled several chronic health issues for several years.
Delbert was married to Diana Coleman and together they raised her twins, Kim and Terry Coleman. Their son, Christopher David, was born in 1988. Delbert was preceded in death by his step father, Noel Mooney and his grandparents, Bert and Lucille Skaggs, and Floy Mooney, of Licking Missouri. His Grandad Robert McKinley Mings, from the Plato community, also preceded him. Delbert has many aunts, uncles, cousins and relatives in the Licking community as well as childhood friends.
Delbert was raised in Licking Missouri and graduated from Licking High School in 1978. Delbert spent many days of his childhood fishing the waters of the Big Piney River, Current River and Montauk State Park. He continued to return to the park as an adult as often as he was able to. Delbert was very close to his brother Brent and they spent as much time talking about fishing as they did actually fishing. There are many stories shared with family about “school days” spent in the park “learning.” His Grandma Mooney always loved when Delbert and Brent would come and get her and take her fishing on the Big Piney River. Delbert never failed to clean the fish she caught. Delbert had a passion for creating fishing lures and often shared his creations with his family by the bags full. Delbert was also very passionate about shooting and shotguns. Delbert loved to shoot sporting clays with his club buddies and was very good at it until his health started to deteriorate.
He is survived by his wife Diana, of Chrystal Lakes, Missouri; his son Christopher; five grandchildren, Kamila, Josie, Alex, Julie and Kaitlyn; step-children Terry Coleman and Kim Dowdy; his beloved Mother, Alma Mooney, Lebanon Missouri; two brothers, Dean (Kanell), of Olympia, Washington, Brent (Rhonda), of Westminster, Colorado; two sisters, Christena Armstrong (Mark), of Lebanon, Missouri, and Lisa Smith (Drew), of Lindsborg, Kansas. His step-brother Tim Mooney, of Edgar Springs, Missouri, also survives him.
There will be no services at this time. Per Delbert’s request, he will be cremated and his ashes will be given to his family to spread. A celebration of life will be held in the future at one of Delbert’s favorite places inside Montauk State Park. That is truly where he found his peace and enjoyment and it is very fitting that his celebration be held there.
