The Ernest and Mildred Delco Community Fund

A boy was born in 1907, with his father passing away five months later. His mother then placed Ernest "Ernie" in a Budapest orphanage. At the time she worked as a servant and therefore was unable to have him with her. Nearly 15 years passed and the boy's Iowa grandparents sent for Ernie and his mother. They were first greeted and welcomed to the United States by the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island in 1921.

Several years passed, and the great depression hit. As a young adult Ernie became a United States citizen and changed his last name from Nedelko to Delco. He then moved to Michigan City to look for work. Determined, Ernie sold his car for a pick-up truck to start his own business, taking any job he could get. He married Mildred "Millie" in 1931. By 1932, he and his devoted wife had saved to buy their first home, which also functioned as their place of their business, Delco Plumbing & Heating - which later became Delco, Inc. - and served our community for many decades. And together the Delcos raised four children.

Millie passed away on May 23, 2001, and Ernie, 12 days later. Their whole life's story is inspiring in itself.

In memory of Ernest and Mildred Delco, their family has established a Community Fund to help meet our county's changing needs. In addition, the family also started a scholarship fund at Unity Foundation of La Porte County.