Delores Mae Gampp peacefully passed away at home on February 9, 2026, shortly following her 86th birthday after a long and fulfilling life. On January 29, 1940 Delores was born in Clarktown with her late parents Clarice and Helen Dever Preston, and her late older brother, Howard. In her youth, she enjoyed playing the piano and organ at Minford Methodist Church and performed for many weddings.
Shortly following her graduation from Minford High School in 1958, Delores began bookkeeping for Frowine Hardware. She married the late John Gampp on May 4, 1960, at the Minford Methodist Church, and she was an active member at Sunshine Church of Christ for the rest of her life. In the mid 1970’s she did bookkeeping for her husband’s grain bin sales. In 1981, she and John started the Muletown Mini Mart. They sold the store in 1984 and bought Bennetts Collision Repair Center that same year. They operated the shop until its closure in 2014.
She and John shared a loving and adventurous life during their 57-year marriage, they could always be seen at any social event in Minford wearing coordinating outfits and farmed the entire time they ran their businesses. Together they visited all 50 states as well as venturing abroad. She was notorious for being a master navigator, directing routes with her trusted road atlas. Even after John’s passing, Delores never turned down an opportunity for a road trip and always stayed true to her passion for offering directions.
Delores was always happy to go anywhere and dedicated her life to helping others. She often said that she enjoyed getting ready every day with the guarantee of getting a call from a family member or friend she could spend time with. After all, she had a big, loving family in Minford, with her 2 children Mark (Brandy) Gampp and Teresa (Jeff) Hayward. Of all the titles she held, her favorite was that of Mamaw – she had 7 granddaughters including Ashley (Daniel) Parker, Melissa (Kyle) Rase, Melinda (Cody) Cannon, Sagan (Austin) Porter, Caitlyn (Aaron) Crank, Samantha Gampp and Andrea Gampp (Bryce Brickey). She also had 11 great grandchildren including Lainey, Jase and Arley Parker, Hayes, Hattie and Hux Rase, Crew, Cash and Palmer Cannon, Preston and Ledger Porter. Her children and grandchildren cherished every moment with her, and she saw them nearly every day.
Delores will be remembered for all the heart she shared with her friends, family and community. The family welcomes you to honor her legacy at her funeral services which will be conducted at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, February 13, 2026, at Sunshine Church of Christ in Minford with Jason Coriell officiating. Friends may call at the Erwin-Dodson-Allen Funeral Home in Minford from 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, February 12. Her final resting place will be at Bennett Cemetery in Minford. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to SOMC Hospice, 2201 25th Street, Portsmouth, Ohio 45662 or USSA Adult Day Center, P.O. Box 597, Portsmouth, Ohio 45662. Online condolences may be sent to www.edafh.com.
