Deloris F. Faris

Deloris Fern Showecker Faris dedicated her life to raising her family and volunteering in numerous capacities. She touched the lives of many people with her kindness, compassion, generous heart and dedication. Deloris was born on April 21, 1923 in Indianapolis, Indiana, to Steven E. Showecker and Mabel F. Waggoner and was the second child of three. As a child, she moved to Cincinnati, Ohio, and briefly to New York, before returning to Indianapolis. In high school, Deloris enjoyed dancing, performing leading roles in theater productions and modeling clothing at department stores.
Deloris married her high school sweetheart, Golden Leslie Faris, in 1942, before he served overseas in the Marine Corps. During WWII, Deloris worked in the Allison factory office in Indianapolis. After the war, the Marine Corps temporarily relocated Golden and Deloris to Oklahoma where they celebrated the birth of their first child, Ron, in 1946. Three years later, in Indianapolis, their family was complete when Ed was born. Golden returned to active duty during the Korean War, and Deloris focused on raising her two active boys. She was a dedicated mother who undertook additional responsibilities, including becoming a Cub Scout den mother, to enhance her boys’ experiences growing up.
Deloris was very involved in organizing and hosting Marine Corps wives’ activities from the Korean War period into the 1990s, including hosting visiting dignitaries. After Ron and Ed left for college, Deloris followed her passion to serve others and volunteered regularly at Riley Children’s Hospital and New Hope, with a special focus on working with disabled children and adults. She was also a part of a group of active mothers volunteering with Ron’s fraternity.
As Deloris’ mother aged, she and Golden moved her into their home. When they had to make the difficult decision to move Mabel to a skilled nursing facility, Deloris spent almost every day there helping Mabel and other residents with their daily activities and care. She also served as a patient advocate for residents, especially those without family nearby.
Deloris and Golden doted on their grandchildren and great-grandchildren and cherished every moment with them. Deloris’ warm smile, big hugs, and devotion led them all to relish spending time with her.
Deloris was a patron of the Indianapolis Museum of Art following Ed and her granddaughter, Suzanne’s, interest in art and was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star. Deloris and Golden enjoyed entertaining in their home and attended a variety of charity events through the years.
Deloris is survived by her son, Ron (Yolanda); loving grandchildren, Laura (Kirk) Spilman, Suzanne (Jason) Buck, David (Kim) Miller, Kevin and Kristin Faris; and great-grandchildren, Sydney and Kaden Spilman, Jett Buck, Lauren, Emma and Colby Miller. She is preceded in death by her husband, Golden, and son, Ed. Deloris was a role model as a parent, grandparent, volunteer, caregiver and patron, who lived a life full of passion, dedication, generosity and devotion throughout her life. She will be deeply missed by us all.