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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 ************************************************************************** * Marjorie 'Marge' Chidester, 83 DOVER - Marjorie "Marge" Chidester of Dover died of natural causes Friday, Feb. 7, 2003, in Genesis Eldercare-Silver Lake Center, Dover. She was 83. Mrs. Chidester was born May 7, 1919, in Little Falls, N.Y., daughter of the late Frank V. Ray and Anna Weakley. She retired as a floral designer. She enjoyed crafts, especially crocheting. She loved to travel with her husband in the Air Force. Mrs. Chidester was a member of the Gray Ladies of the Red Cross and the Noncommissioned Officers Wives Club. She also was a Girl Scout leader and a member of Victory Chapter 15, Order of the Eastern Star, in Dover. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Russell W. Chidester, in 1970; two brothers; and a sister. She is survived by a son and daughter-in-law, David L. and Paula Chidester of Camden; two daughters, Carol A. Bundschuh and Linda R. Chidester, both of Dover; two brothers, Richard Ray and Donald Ray, both of Ilion, N.Y.; a sister, Barbara Fineout of Herkimer, N.Y.; nine grandchildren; 22 great-grandchildren; six great-great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. Friends may call from 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday in Torbert Funeral Chapel, 1145 E. Lebanon Road, Dover, where an Eastern Star service will be held during the calling hours. Services will be in Fenner Funeral Home in Herkimer. Burial will be in Mountain View Memorial Park, Herkimer. Letters of condolences may be made at delmarvaobits.com/torbert. ---------------------------------------------------------------- * Mary Ellen Hall, 77 SMYRNA - Mary Ellen Hall of Smyrna died of natural causes Friday, Feb. 7, 2003, in her home. She was 77. Mrs. Hall was born in Fort Fairfield, Maine, daughter of the late Harriett and William King and sister of Maurice King. She moved in 1963 to Delaware, where she raised seven children and worked most of her life as a waitress. She worked more than 40 years at the Hollywood Diner in Dover and the Smyrna Diner. She was a devoted mother and cherished her children above all, and she also loved the outdoors, photography and animals. Mrs. Hall was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Smyrna Ward, and she enjoyed frequent visits with the missionaries of the church who would come to her home. She is survived by four daughters and a son-in-law, Mary Hall, Evelyn and John Griffin and Patricia Hall, all of Clayton, and Barbara Pearson of Dover; three sons and a daughter-in-law, Philip and RoseAnn Hall of Roseburg, Ore., William Hall of Ervinville, La., and John Hall of Bridgeport, N.J.; nine grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. Services will be 11:30 a.m. Tuesday in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter- day Saints, Smyrna Ward, 310 Clark Farm Road, near Smyrna, where friends may call from 10:30 to 11:15 a.m. Burial will be in the Townsend Cemetery, Townsend. Instead of flowers, the family suggests contributions to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, c/o Bishop Estep, 404 Bedding Lane, Middletown, DE 19709. Arrangements by the Daniels and Hutchison Funeral Home, Middletown. --------------------------------------------------------------- * Fredy O. Mahnke, 70 SMYRNA - Fredy O. Mahnke of Smyrna died of complications of a stroke Friday, Feb. 7, 2003, in Christiana Hospital of Christiana Care, Newark. He was 70. Mr. Mahnke was born July 10, 1932, in Berlin, Germany, son of the late Kurt and Martha Schattschneider Mahnke. He worked as a licensed plumber and was the former owner of the Sudlersville (Md.) Frozen Meat Locker. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, Peter Mahnke. He is survived by his companion, Clara Rogers; two sisters, Christel Mahnke and Erica Mikula, both of Germany; two nephews, Ralf and Bernd Mikula, both of Germany; a niece, Silke Plottke, also of Germany; a very special "Princess," Dajuna Rogers; and his friends, Pete, Charlie, Bob and Skip. Services and burial will be at a later date. Arrangements by Faries Funeral Directors Inc., Smyrna. Letters of condolence may be made at www.fariesfuneralhomes.com. --------------------------------------------------------------- * David Lloyd McDonald, 70 DOVER - David Lloyd McDonald of Dover died of complications of cancer Friday, Feb. 7, 2003, in the home of his caregiver, Linda Goodnight, with whom he lived, in Dover. He was 70. Mr. McDonald was born May 19, 1932, in Lancaster, Pa. He worked in construction. Mr. McDonald was a dedicated volunteer at Silver Lake Center, and was a member of the Felton Community Fire Co. He was preceded in death by his wife, Anna Louise. In addition to his caregiver, he is survived by a son, Mark McDonald of Clayton; two granddaughters, Sharon Burton of Hartly and Danielle McDonald of Smyrna; a lifelong friend, Mildred Steele of Felton; his "extended family," his caregiver's children, Jason Goodnight and Makenna Goodnight, and daughter-in- law, Jen Goodnight, all of Dover; and three great-grandchildren. Services will be 4 p.m. Tuesday in Torbert Funeral Chapel, 61 S. Bradford St., Dover. Burial will be private. Letters of condolence may be made at delmarvaobits.com/torbert. --------------------------------------------------------------- * Harris J. Smack, 77 MILFORD - Harris J. Smack of Milford died of natural causes Friday, Feb. 7, 2003, in Christiana Hospital of Christiana Care, Newark. He was 77. Mr. Smack was born July 2, 1925, in Berlin, Md., son of the late James D. and Nora Shockley Smack. He was employed with the state of Delaware as superintendent of Killens Pond State Park near Felton. The state purchased the land in 1966, and he was a major influence on its development and continued popularity. He retired in 1987. He enjoyed gardening and travel. Mr. Smack was a member of the Milford Church of the Nazarene, the Milford Ruritan Club and the AARP. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, Woodrow Smack; and a sister, Regina Tingle. He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Gay N. Smack; two daughters; Connie J. Dernberger of Milford and Linda A. Caccamo of Middletown; and a granddaughter, Heather Dernberger. Friends may call from 7-9 p.m. Tuesday in Rogers Funeral Home, 301 Lakeview Ave., Milford. Services will be noon Wednesday in the funeral home. Burial will be in Odd Fellows Cemetery, North Walnut Street, Milford. The family suggests memorial contributions to the Milford Church of the Nazarene, 11 N.W. Salevan Place, Milford, DE 19963. Letters of condolence may be made at www.delmarvaobits.com/rogers. --------------------------------------------------------------- * Diane States, 47 HENDERSON, Md. - Diane States of Henderson died of respiratory failure Saturday, Feb. 8, 2003, in Memorial Hospital at Easton, Easton. She was 47. Ms. States was born in Dover, Del., daughter of J. Henry States Jr. of Henderson and the late Pearla Mae States. She was a homemaker. In addition to her mother, she was preceded in death by a brother, John Wayne States, in 1968. In addition to her father, she is survived by a daughter, Crystal L. Porter of Henderson; a son, Kevin B. Porter of Greensboro; a brother, Jerry States of Henderson; a half-sister, Shirley Taylor of Zephyr Hills, Fla.; a granddaughter, Abigail Leigh Porter; her longtime companion, Charles Thompson of Henderson; and her dog, Brandy. Friends may call from 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday in Moore Funeral Home P.A., 12 S. Second St. in Denton. Services will be 2 p.m. Wednesday in the funeral home. Burial will be in the Denton Cemetery, Denton. Instead of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions to the American Lung Association, 209 E. Market St., Salisbury, MD 21801-4948. --------------------------------------------------------------- * Evangeline B. Truitt, 74 LAUREL - Evangeline B. Truitt of Laurel died of complications of cancer Friday, Feb. 7, 2003, in Peninsula Regional Medical Center in Salisbury, Md. She was 74. Mrs. Truitt was born in Mardela Springs, Md., daughter of the late Soron and Bertha Smith Bennett. She owned and operated Truitt's Beauty Shop in Laurel for about 45 years, where she met many wonderful friends. She loved to travel. She and her husband visited almost every state while traveling in their motor home that she loved. Her favorite destination was Skyline Drive. She will be remembered as a loving and faithful wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend. Mrs. Truitt was a member of Centenary United Methodist Church in Laurel, where she was always very active with the United Methodist Women group. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a brother, Ralph C. Bennett; and a sister, Margaret Bell. She is survived by her husband of almost 55 years, Hollis L. Truitt; two sons and two daughters-in-law, Bruce W. and Barbara Truitt of Wyoming and Terry L. and Wava Truitt of Laurel; a daughter and son-in-law, Linda T. and Larry Hardesty of Laurel; five grandchildren, Karen L. Watson, Brian L. Truitt, Stephanie M. Truitt, Brett M. Truitt and Brittanie L. Truitt; a great-grandson, Jared Lee Watson; and several nieces, nephews and cousins. Services will be 2 p.m. Tuesday in Short Funeral Home, 700 West St., Laurel, where friends may call one hour earlier. Burial will be in Odd Fellows Cemetery in Laurel. The family suggests memorial contributions to the American Heart Association of Delaware, Sussex County Division, Suite 104, 600 Du Pont Highway, Georgetown, DE 19947; or to the American Cancer Society, c/o Research Dept, 92 Reads Way, Suite 205, New Castle, DE 19720. ---------------------------------------------------------------- * Freda R. Vonville, 72 MILFORD - Freda R. Vonville of Milford died Saturday, Feb. 8, 2003, in Bayhealth-Kent General Hospital, Dover. She was 72. Mrs. Vonville was born Jan. 3, 1931, in Minden, W.Va., daughter of the late Charles and Louvenia (Hamilton) Reece. She was a waitress and cook for more than 30 years in the Wilmington and Dover areas. She retired in 1992. She then worked as a nurse's aide. She enjoyed working with the disabled. Mrs. Vonville also enjoyed county music, bingo and soap operas. She is survived by her husband, Philip L. Vonville Sr. of Milford; eight daughters, Sheila Tharp and Judy Lester, both of Lincoln, Margnet Needles of Felton, June Biddle, Paula Bollman and Donna Mitchell, all of Dover, Linda Vonville of McAllen, Texas, and Maureen Messina of Smyrna; four sons, Wayne Tompkins of Camden-Wyoming, Joseph Tompkins of Dover, Paul Tompkins of Felton and Philip Vonville Jr. of Harrington; 31 grandchildren; and 21 great- grandchildren. Friends may call from 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday in the Trader Funeral Home in Dover. Remembrance of life services will be 1 p.m. Wednesday in the funeral home. Burial will be in the Odd Fellows Cemetery, Camden. --------------------------------------------------------------- * Garfield Robert Wilkinson, 82 SPRINGDALE, Ark. - Garfield Robert Wilkinson of Springdale, and formerly of Hartly, Del., died of natural causes Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2003, in his home. He was 82. Mr. Wilkinson was born March 10, 1920, in Laurel, Del., son of the late Russell James and Sadie Elliott Wilkinson. He was a World War II veteran of the 82nd Airborne Division, U.S. Army. His contributions to the Allied campaign were numerous, and he was recognized with distinction for his participation in three major campaigns: Normandy, Holland and the Battle of the Bulge. As a staff sergeant in the 82nd Airborne, he received the highest combat infantry recognition, the Combat Infantry Badge. He also received the American Theater Service Medal, French and Belgian Service Ribbons, European-African-Middle Eastern Service Medal, Purple Heart Medal, Distinguished Unit Badge, Bronze Arrowhead Foraguerre and Degree of Knight 4th Class. He was in the active reserves and was recalled as an instructor during the Korean War. As a civilian, he was also a developer and in land sales. Mr. Wilkinson was an active member of the 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment Association, a life member of VFW Post 194, where he was post chaplain from 1994 to 1996, and a member of the American Land Developers Association. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Shirley F. Martin Wilkinson, in 2001. He is survived by two sons and a daughter-in-law, Garfield R. Wilkinson II, and his fiancée, Carolyn Sliger, both of Lake Ridge, Va., and Gary and Lori Wilkinson of Sanford, N.C.; a stepson and stepdaughter-in-law, Warren and Martha Breeden of Syria, Va.; three daughters and three sons-in-law, Sandra and Aubrey Tarman of Springfield, Va., Theresa Harward of Rolesville, N.C., and Dana and Dwayne Pearson of Springdale; 10 grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren. Burial with full military honors will be 1 p.m. Tuesday in the Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Va. Instead of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions to the Circle of Life Hospice, 610 E. Emma, Springdale, AR 72764; or to Camp Blanding Museum and Historical Associates, Route 1, Box 465, Camp Blanding, Starke, FL 32091-9703. --------------------------------------------------------------- * Ricky A. 'Big Rick' Willey, 41 SEAFORD - Ricky A. "Big Rick" Willey of Seaford died of complications of cancer Thursday, Feb. 6, 2003, in Nanticoke Memorial Hospital, Seaford. He was 41. Mr. Willey was a machine operator for the DuPont Co. in Seaford for 18 years. He was an avid sportsman. He is survived by his parents, James and Faye Willey of Seaford; his wife, Janet Willey; four children, Ashley, Ricky A. Jr., Tara and Jamie; a brother and sister-in-law, James Willey II and Christy Willey of Trappe, Md.; a sister and brother-in-law, Terri and Bob Terry of Seaford; and several nieces and nephews. Services will be 2 p.m. Tuesday in Cranston Funeral Home, 300 N. Shipley St., Seaford, where friends may call two hours earlier. Burial will be in Odd Fellows Cemetery, Seaford. ---------------------------------------------------------------