Delano W. "Del"  Straka, 81, of Defiance, passed away peacefully on Thursday, November 12, 2015 of natural causes related to congestive heart failure at CHP Defiance Area Inpatient Hospice Center in Defiance. He was born on May 19, 1934 to Louis and Stella (Kozumplik) Straka in Ney, Ohio. On November 11, 1955 he married Mary ( Schindler) Straka, who proceeded him in death on February 27, 2015. Del passed away one day after what would have been their  60th wedding anniversary. Del attended Tri State University in Angola, Indiana and studied Civil Engineering. He built roughly  60 homes in Defiance and Williams County over his career. He was known for his involvement  in building Drive-In Movie Theaters early in his career, and later  building homes with swimming pools. The YMCA did some classes at his home, before he consulted on the building of their own pool in Defiance. He enjoyed bowling, boating, and waterskiing. In his later years, he was an avid scuba diver and underwater photographer. Del is survived by his children, Rick Straka of Defiance, Holly Straka of Milford, Michigan, and Randy (Alicia) Straka of Ft. Wayne, Indiana, a brother, William Straka of Mountain Home, Arkansas, and three grandchildren, Jacob and Aidan Straka of Ft. Wayne, and Mia Straka-Reading of Milford, Michigan. He was preceded in death by his parents, Louis and Stella Straka, wife, Mary Straka, brother, Jerome Straka, and sister, Mary Pringle. Visitation will be held from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm on Saturday, November 21, 2015 at Schaffer Funeral Home, Defiance. A Memorial Services will follow at 3:00 pm on Saturday, November 21, 2015 at the funeral home, with  Deacon Jeff Mayer, officiating. Memorials are suggested to the American Cancer Society. Online condolences can be given at www.Schafferfh.com.