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All rights reserved http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm This copy contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by: Melinda Jarvis Devereaux ************************************************************************** * John Anderson Gowens, 32 FELTON - John Anderson Gowens of Felton died Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2003, in Bayhealth-Milford Hospital, Milford. He was 32. Mr. Gowens was born April 16, 1970, in Dover, son of Anderson "Andy" and Joyce Gowens. He attended school in the Caesar Rodney School District. He was employed by Wal-Mart in Milford. Mr. Gowens also spent time as a disc jockey and loved music. In addition to his parents, he is survived by a brother, James Gowens; a close friend, Cameron Rust; a special uncle, Artie Jones, and Mr. Jones' family, all of California; four aunts, Elizabeth, Alice and Hortense, as well as their respective families, all of Virginia, and Dorothy Gowens and her family, of Delaware; cousins Florence Brown and Nelson Driggus and their respective families, all of Camden; special family friends, Ethel Williams and Theresa Branch and their respective families, all of New York; and many other aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and loving friends. Memorial services will be noon Monday in Greater Life Church on Head Start Road in Star Hill, near Dover. The Rev. James Ashley will officiate. Burial will be private. Arrangements by Bennie Smith Funeral Home, Dover. --------------------------------------------------------------- * Ruth Heideck, 79 DOVER - Ruth Heideck of Dover died of natural causes Thursday, Feb. 13, 2003, in her home. She was 79. Mrs. Heideck was born Sept. 18, 1923, in Lexington, N.C., daughter of the late Duke and Polly Saulman. During her parents' final days, she took very good care of them. She was a very loving sister and aunt to her family. Mrs. Heideck also was loved by all her friends in Luther Towers in Dover and will be greatly missed. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a brother, Glenn Hice. She is survived by a sister, Kathleen Nantz of Charlotte, N.C.; two nieces, Theresa Fletcher of Fort Mill, S.C., and Cathy Garris of Irvine, Calif.; and three great-nephews, David Garris of Los Angeles, Steven Garris of Florida and Barry Fletcher of Fort Mill. Her wishes were to be cremated and have her ashes scattered in the Delaware Bay. Instead of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions to Luther Towers. Arrangements by Torbert Funeral Home, Dover. --------------------------------------------------------------- * Samuel Walker McCune III, 87 SEAFORD - Samuel Walker McCune III of Seaford died of natural causes Thursday, Feb. 13, 2003, in Methodist Manor House, Seaford. He was 87. Mr. McCune was born June 10, 1915, in Chicago, son of the late Louella F. Kiley McCune and Samuel W. McCune Jr. He grew up in Chicago and Milwaukee. He graduated from Culver Military Academy in 1932 and attended Beloit College in Wisconsin for one year. He graduated from Princeton University in 1938. While doing post-graduate work at the Carnegie Institute (now Carnegie-Mellon University) in Pittsburgh, he met Margaret Jane McCorkle, then of Youngstown, Ohio. They were married Oct. 5, 1940. He was employed by the DuPont Co. from 1940 to 1975 and lived in Delaware, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and London, England, where he became managing director of DuPont (UK). Upon returning to Wilmington, he worked in the Elastomers Chemical Division and finished his career with DuPont as director of the Elastomers Laboratories. Mr. McCune, a member of St. Luke's Episcopal Church, Seaford, since 1992, was an active Episcopalian all his life, serving on the vestry and finance committees of churches in the communities where he resided. After retirement, he used his business skills as treasurer of St. Michael's Day Nursery in Wilmington, and as an advocate for AARP's legislative agenda in the Delaware General Assembly. He also worked with AARP's income tax preparation assistance program for a number of years. In addition to his wife, he is survived by three children, Susan K. Bergman of Menominee Falls, Wis., S. Walker McCune IV of Atlanta, Ga., and Sarah J. Fairfield of Fargo, N.D.; three younger brothers, Leroy K. McCune of Wilmington, John R. McCune of Carmel, Calif., and D. Thomas McCune of Sonoma, Calif.; five grandchildren; and one great-grandchild. Friends may call from 10 to 11 a.m. Monday in St. Luke's Episcopal Church Parish House, Front Street, Seaford. Memorial services will be 11 a.m. Monday in the church. The Rev. Jeanne W. Kirby will officiate. Burial will be at a later time in Lower Brandywine Cemetery in Wilmington. The family suggests memorial contributions to the Alzheimer's Association, 2306 Kirkwood Highway, Wilmington, DE 19805. Arrangements by the Cranston Funeral Home, Seaford. --------------------------------------------------------------- * Ida E. Gilbert Miller, 90 LAUREL - Ida E. Gilbert Miller of Laurel died of natural causes Thursday, Feb. 13 2003, in Genesis Elder Care, Seaford Center, Seaford. She was 90. Mrs. Miller worked for National Cash Register in Millsboro. She was an avid bowler. She was preceded in death by her first husband, Ernest L. Gilbert Sr., in 1968; and her second husband, George F. Miller, in 1998. She is survived by a son and daughter in law, Ernest L. Gilbert Jr. and Evelyn Gilbert of Laurel; a daughter and son-in-law, Gale and John Liberty of Anchorage, Alaska; eight grandchildren; and 16 great-grandchildren. Services will be noon Monday in the Cranston Funeral Home, 300 N. Shipley St., Seaford, where friends may call one hour earlier. Burial will be in Odd Fellows Cemetery, Smyrna. --------------------------------------------------------------- * Doris Orlena Holt Moore, 81 DOVER - Doris Orlena Holt Moore of Dover died Thursday, Feb. 13, 2003, in Bayhealth-Kent General Hospital, Dover. She was 81. Mrs. Moore was born Oct. 23, 1921, in Dover, and was the last of seven children of the late George R. Holt and Estella Jones Holt. She retired in the late 1980s from the Delaware Corporate Tax Office after 21 years of service. She loved and lived for her children and grandchildren and great- grandchildren and was a caregiver for everyone. She collected stuffed animals, especially teddy bears and Hummels, enjoyed reading and loved dogs. Mrs. Moore was a member of the Wesley United Methodist Church in Dover. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Allen C. Moore Sr., in 1966; and a grandson, Charlie A. Moore, in 1992. She is survived by three sons and two daughters-in-law, Allen and Bea Moore and Bruce Moore, all of Dover, and Charles and Donna Moore of Greenwood; grandchildren, Jeff Moore, Wendy Roper, Kristy Tuxward, Kim Johnson, Jennifer Goodnight and April Moore; eight great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. Services will be 1 p.m. Monday in Torbert Funeral Chapel, 61 S. Bradford St., Dover, where friends may call one hour earlier. Burial will be in Lakeside Cemetery, 558 N. State St., Dover. Letters of condolences may be made at www.delmarvaobits.com/torbert. --------------------------------------------------------------- * Virginia M. Schnitzler LEWES - Virginia M. Schnitzler of Shipcarpenter's Square in Lewes, died Thursday, Feb. 13, 2003, in her home. Mrs. Schnitzler was born July 31, 1926, in New York City. She attended Queens College prior to her marriage to Fred Schnitzler. The couple raised four daughters while they lived in Stony Brook, N.Y., and Basking Ridge, N.J. While living in Basking Ridge, Mrs. Schnitzler worked as an interior design consultant. Her interests included antiques, gardening, interior design and reading, particularly about the American Revolution and George Washington. Mrs. Schnitzler was active in gardening and antiques groups while living in Basking Ridge. She and her husband moved to Lewes upon retirement in 1985, becoming original owners in Shipcarpenter's Square. While living in Lewes, she was an active volunteer. She served as vice president of the Lewes Historical Society, which recently presented her an award for her service over the years. On many Saturday mornings, she could be found conducting tours of the Burton Ingram House. She also was actively involved in the University of Delaware's Institute for Lifelong Learning, and attended many classes there each semester. She also was a strong supporter of preservation efforts throughout the area, and of the Lewes Public Library. She was a member of St. Jude's Catholic Church, Lewes. She was preceded in death by her husband in 1996. She is survived by four daughters, Virginia Voorhees of Potomac, Md., Barbara Schnitzler of Santa Monica, Calif., Marjorie Marra of Baltimore and Elizabeth Rosenbaum of Chicago; sons-in-law; and 11 grandchildren. Friends may call from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday in Parsell Funeral Homes '&;' Crematorium, Atkins-Lodge Chapel, 1449 Kings Highway, Lewes, Mass of Christian Burial will be 11 a.m. Tuesday in St. Jude's Catholic Church, Del. 1 at Five Points, north of Lewes. The Rev. Jim Hreha will officiate. Burial will be in St. Peter's Cemetery, Pilottown Road, Lewes. The family suggests memorial contributions the Lewes Historical Society. --------------------------------------------------------------- * M. Roland 'Pop' Seward, 81 MARYDEL, Md. - M. Roland "Pop" Seward of Marydel died of natural causes Thursday, Feb. 13, 2003, in Chestertown Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, Chestertown. He was 81. Mr. Seward was born Oct. 27, 1921, in Barclay, son of the late Clarence Dewey and Mary Elizabeth Holden Seward. He was a lifetime resident of the area. He attended school in Barclay. He worked as a carpenter and farmer, and then became a custodian for the Queen Anne's County School System. Mr. Seward loved his garden and his children and grandchildren In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Eleanor Urban Seward, in 1990; and three sisters, Bessie Winborne, Dorothy Seward and Betty Lowe. He is survived by three daughters and two sons-in-law, Patricia DiRocco, and Ms. DiRocco's companion, Jerry Adams, and Sandra and Les Price, all of Marydel, and Barbara and Jackie Walls of Henderson; five sisters, Alice McKinney and Christine Hickman, both of Barclay, Pearl Jarrell of Price Station, Nellie Jarr of Sudlersville and Ruth Foxx of Templeville; four grandsons and the wife of one and the fiancees of two, Steve and Becky DiRocco, Matthew Lam and Melissa Ratcliff and Brian Lam and Kristina Brooks, all of Marydel, and Jay Walls of Henderson; two stepgranddaughters, Heather Price of Wye Mills and Dana Price of Marydel; and two great-grandchildren, Kayleigh Lam and Andrew DiRocco, both of Marydel. Friends may call from 7 to 9 p.m. Sunday in Fleegle-Helfenbein Funeral Home, 106 W. Sunset Ave., Greensboro. Services will be 2 p.m. Monday in the funeral home. Burial will be in Busick Church Cemetery, Barclay. --------------------------------------------------------------- * Elizabeth J. Von Ryik, 90 DOVER - Elizabeth J. Von Ryik of Dover died quietly of natural causes Thursday, Feb. 13, 2003, in Bayhealth-Kent General Hospital, Dover. She was 90. Ms. Von Ryik was born Feb. 11, 1913, in Vienna, Austria. She was employed by the Dover Air Force Base. She is survived by two sons, Peter Wieck and Dietrich Maager; two grandchildren, Natalie and Christopher; and a great-granddaughter, Nicole. Burial will be in Vienna in the family grave. Arrangements by Trader Funeral Home, Dover. --------------------------------------------------------------- * Leora Zimmerman, 51 KENTON - Leora Zimmerman of Kenton died, after a brief illness, Thursday, Feb. 13, 2003, in Bayhealth-Kent General Hospital, Dover. She was 51. Mrs. Zimmerman was a homemaker and also a bookkeeper for her husband's business, Kenton Chair Shop. She was a member of the Kenton Mennonite Church. She was preceded in death by her parents, John and Florence (Weldy) Miller; and a sister, Miriam (Miller) Good. She is survived by her husband of 29 years, Fred M. Zimmerman of Kenton; three daughters and a son-in-law, Regina and Marvin Zimmerman of Pine Grove, Pa., and Leanna Zimmerman and Rosalie Zimmerman, both of the family home; four sons and three daughters-in-law, Ethan and Bethany (Allgyer) Zimmerman, of Sudlersville, Md., Jesse and Jolene (Weaver) Zimmerman of Galena, Md., Jason and Michelle (Wenger) Zimmerman of Wolcott, Vt., and Winfred Zimmerman of the family home; five grandchildren; a sister, Phyllis Mast of Amelia, Va.; and two brothers, Cleotis Miller of West Chesterfield, N.H., and Larry Miller of Amelia. Friends may call from 2 to 4 p.m. and from 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday in Kenton Mennonite Church. Services will be 10 a.m. Monday in the Smyrna Church of Christ, Smyrna. The family suggests that flowers be omitted. Arrangements by Matthews-Bryson Funeral Home, Smyrna. ---------------------------------------------------------------