John Marshall Delzell

John Marshall Delzell, 63, of East Palatka, passed from this life unexpectedly at his home on Sunday, January 28, 2018 from natural causes. Born in Palatka, he was a lifelong resident of Putnam County. John was a 1972 graduate of Palatka South High School and received his Associates in Arts Degree from St. Johns River Community College in 1974. He received his Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees in psychology from the University of North Florida. John began his working career as the Advertising Director at the Fernandina Beach News Leader and then as a reporter and photographer with the Palatka Daily News from 1977 – 1989. Following his years in the newspaper industry, John applied his psychology degree as a counselor with several different entities over the years including with University Medical Center in Jacksonville, the Clay County Behavioral Healthcare, Putnam Behavioral Healthcare, the Family Preservation Services of Florida (Director), Hastings Youth Academy and at the St. Johns County Mental Health Department. John was a member of St. Monica Catholic Church as well as the Putnam County Historical Society. In his younger years, John enjoyed scuba diving, sky diving and riding motorcycles. He was also loved the outdoors and camping and was a gun enthusiast. John was also an avid Florida Gator Fan. He was preceded in death by his parents, John Malcolm “Jody” Delzell and his mother, Kathleen Knotts Delzell. John is survived by his daughter, Shelby Bellamy and husband Travis of East Palatka and numerous cousins. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 A.M. Thursday, February 1, 2018 at St. Monica Catholic Church with Father Ron Camardi as officiant. Burial will follow at Oak Hill West Cemetery. The family will receive friends Wednesday from 5-7 P.M. at Johnson-Overturf Funeral Home in Palatka. Memories and condolences may be expressed to the family at John’s Book of Memories page at www.Johnson-Overturffunerals.com Arrangements are entrusted to Johnson-Overturf Funeral Home in Palatka.