Delbert Lee Hasler, 91, passed away with family at his bedside after a short illness on March 17, 2024, at Mercy Hospital in Springfield MO.  He was born on September 10, 1932, to Caroline Shane Hasler and Louis Hasler but raised in a small home near Poplar and Grant Streets by his grandparents, George, and Viola Shane.  He attended Fairbanks Elementary, Pipkin Junior High, and Central High.  His grandpa died while Delbert was in junior high school and so he began working at an early age doing whatever he could whether it was delivering newspapers, washing dishes, mowing yards, delivering telegrams or prescriptions and groceries, whatever he could to make a dime to take care of himself.

He and his best friend, Charlie Tisher, who he grew up with and was like a brother, joined the Army under the then buddy-buddy plan as soon as they reached the age of 17 in September 1949.  They went through basic training at Fort Riley, Kansas, and then Delbert was shipped to Alaska for two years at Eielson Air Force Base near Fairbanks while Charlie was sent to Korea.  He said he left San Francisco on a ship with his entire unit on Easter Sunday and returned two years later, on Easter Sunday.  While he was in the Army he learned to drive and was in the motor pool and eventually assigned to be the company commander’s jeep driver.   He was transferred to the Army Ready Reserve in June 1952 and discharged from duty on September 14, 1956.

That was the beginning of his love for cars, trucks, and motors.  He restored cars and raced cars from the 50’s until mid-70’s at local tracks and the State Fair in Sedalia.  He enjoyed and followed all the NASCAR truck and car races.   He was inducted into the Ozarks Area Racers Association in 2007.  Throughout his life at various times Delbert owned and operated auto detail shops, picked up cars throughout the Midwest for 166 Auto Auction, owned and operated gas stations, bought and sold cars, worked at Boeing and General Motors, and drove a semi-truck for himself and at Associated Grocers.  He was a hard worker and always ready to make money when he could.

Delbert was a member of Grant Avenue Baptist Church and attended there his entire life.  His grandma was a charter member of the church, and he began attending with her as a small child.  He fully believed in salvation by the blood of Jesus and longed for the day he would see Jesus and get his reward in heaven.

Delbert married his wife, Mary, on September 19, 1975, and they shared, over 48 years together.  Besides Mary, he leaves behind his stepson, Joe Drake, and his wife, Rhonda, and three amazing step-grandchildren, Reagan (Jaron), Reece, and Keno, that he adored and loved as they did him.  He also has a son from a previous marriage, Joey Hasler; five grandchildren, Bryan, David, Teresa, Mallory, and Madison; and several great grandchildren.  He was predeceased by his son, Larry Hasler; grandson, Matthew Delbert Hasler; and stepdaughter, Tena Drake.

Graveside services will be conducted on Saturday, March 23, 2024, at 3:00 p.m. at Greenlawn Cemetery.   In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Grant Avenue Baptist Church in furtherance of the ministry for the residents of Franciscan Villa.

Arrangements are entrusted to the care of Greenlawn Funeral Home.