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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 ************************************************************************** * James E. Blackwell, Jr., 51 DOVER - James E. Blackwell Jr. of Dover died Tuesday, June 10, 2003, in his home. He was 51. Mr. Blackwell was born in Winston Salem, N.C. He was a master carpenter. His father, the Rev. James E. Blackwell Sr., and his grandmother, Daisy Liles, preceded him in death. He is survived by his mother, Daisy C. Blackwell of Milford; his wife, Susan Smith-Blackwell; five sons, James E. Blackwell III, Jason E. Smith, Justin E. Smith, Byron Martin of Dover and Kyle L. Scott of Harrington; two daughters, Tyna L. Daniels of Lincoln and Jamie E. Smith of Maxton, N.C.; mother-in-law, Laura B. Smith of Harrington; a daughter-in-law, Lolita Blackwell of Dover; a son-in-law, Maurice Daniels of Lincoln; three sisters, Minister Kaye Baynard, Minister Janice Love of Dover and Maxine Wanzer of Milford; three sisters-in- law; Gladys Russ, Frances Smith and Angela Smith of Harrington; nine grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Services will be 1 p.m. Saturday in Faith, Hope and Love Church in Milford, where friends may call one hour earlier. Burial will be in Odd Fellows Cemetery, Milford. --------------------------------------------------------------- * William 'Cecil' Clark, 55 DOVER - William "Cecil" Clark of Dover died of natural causes Tuesday, June 10, 2003, in his home. He was 55. Mr. Clark was born Nov. 29, 1947, in Dover, son of Helen Mosley and the late George White. He spent most of his formative years in Dover. He attended Booker T. Washington Elementary School and William Henry High School. He worked at Nichols Department Store, as well as several other businesses in Dover. Mr. Clark enjoyed the company of the children in his apartment complex, and they loved him. In addition to his father, George White, he was preceded in death by a brother, George Clark. In addition to his mother, Helen Mosley, he is survived by his wife, Cynthia Carroll-Clark; seven children, Kevin Clark of Virginia, Tammy Clark of Dover, Crystal R. Trotman of Fort Washington, Md., Dana L. Trotman of Milford, and William C. Lee, Warren C. Lee and Piccola Lee, all of Wisconsin; two brothers and two sisters-in-law, Charles and Sybil Clark of Dover and James and Dolly Clark of Magnolia; four sisters and three brothers-in-law, Nancy and Ollie J. Smith of Hartford, Conn., and Edna and James Brinkley, Bernetta and Randy Jackson and Linda White, all of Dover; a host of devoted friends such as Cliff Franklin, Mr. and Mrs. Charles Preston, Larry Woodall, Gary Clark and Rico; seven grandchildren; and a host of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins and other friends. Services will be 11 a.m. Saturday in Second Baptist Church, Dover, where friends may call one hour earlier. Burial will be in Whatcoat Cemetery, Dover. Arrangements by Minus Funeral Home, Dover. --------------------------------------------------------------- * Raymond H. Derrickson, 74 BETHANY BEACH - Raymond H. Derrickson of Bethany Reach died of complications of cancer Wednesday, June 11, 2003, in his home, surrounded by his family. He was 74. Mr. Derrickson was born in Upper Darby, Pa., son of the late, Captain Horace and Nellie Derrickson. He was a U.S. Navy veteran of the Korean War, serving aboard the USS New Jersey. He was a retired United Airlines employee of 40 years at Philadelphia International Airport. After 25 years residing in Thornton, Pa., he retired to Bethany Beach. Mr. Derrickson was past junior vice commander and senior vice commander and, at the time of his death, commander of VFW Post 7234 at Quillen's Point in Ocean View. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Betty Wingate Derrickson. He is survived by a daughter, Faye Gallagher; two sons, Raymond Derrickson and Gary Derrickson; a sister, Virginia Hewitt of West Chester, Pa.; and eight grandchildren. Services will be 1 p.m. Sunday in the Bethany Chapel of Melson Funeral Services, West Avenue, Ocean View, where friends may call two hours earlier. Burial will be in Mariner's Bethel Cemetery, Ocean View. Instead of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions to VFW Post 7234, PO Box 91, Ocean View, DE 19970. --------------------------------------------------------------- * Mary E. Gsell, 86 WORTON, Md. - Mary E. Gsell of Worton died of natural caues Wednesday, June 11, 2003, in Kent and Queen Anne's Hospital, Chestertown. She was 86. Mrs. Gsell was born Sept. 29, 1916, daughter of the late Philip and Sally Hurt. For many years, she and her husband were caretakers of the Thornburgs' Farm in Broad Neck, Chestertown, where they raised dairy cows and poultry. After the death of her husband, she moved to Worton Trailer Park. Mrs. Gsell was a member of St. James United Methodist Church. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Edward Gsell, in 1982; and a son, Allen Gsell, in 1983. She is survived by a granddaughter, Michelle R. Derlunas of Port Deposit; a sister, Edith Clark of Chestertown; and two great-granddaughters, Megan Derlunas and Heather Derlunas, both of Port Deposit. Services will be noon Saturday in the Galena Funeral Home of Stephen L. Schaech, 118 W. Cross St., Galena, where friends may call one hour earlier. Burial will be in Chester Cemetery, Chestertown. --------------------------------------------------------------- * Keshawn Jamal Lofland, 1 month DOVER - Keshawn Jamal Lofland of Dover died Friday, June 6, 2003, in Bayhealth/Kent General Hospital. He was 1 month old. Keshawn was born May 6, 2003, son of Lemuel J. Lofland and Elaine E. Stevens. He was a bundle of joy to be around. He was preceded in death by his great grandmother, Ada E. Harris. In addition to his parents, he is survived by a brother, Trevon Stevens of Dover; grandparents, Joyce Ann and Von Stevens of Dover and Geraldine and Leon Lofland of Bridgeville; great-grandparents, Donald and Vera Harris of Dover, Sarah Mann of Seaford, Jerry Mann of Greenwood and Pearl and Leon Lofland Sr. of Federalsburg, Md.; a devoted godmother, Linda Harris of Dover; godfather, Tony Harris of Felton; six aunts, Kishia Mann of Dover, Deshayla Mann of Seaford, Leona Mann of Bridgeville, Tashanna Harris, Lakeisha and Joyce Stevens of Dover; seven uncles, Derrick Lofland of Preston, Md., Brian Lofland of Boston, Leon, Dion and Victor Lofland of Hurlock, Shawn Blake of Cambridge, Md. and Leon Spry of Federalsburg; five great-aunts, Carrie Harris of Felton, Theresa Austin and Phyllis Harris of Dover, Elaine Lofland of Milford and Brenda Cannon of Dover; and two great-uncles, Terry Harris of New Haven, Conn., and Anthony Harris of Dover. Services will be 1 p.m. Saturday in Bennie Smith Funeral Home, Dover. Burial will be in Gibbs Memorial Gardens, Woodside. --------------------------------------------------------------- * Thomas Edward 'Tom' Londergan, 91 WILMINGTON - Thomas Edward "Tom" Londergan of Wilmington died of natural causes Wednesday, June 11, 2003, in St. Francis Hospital, Wilmington. He was 91. Mr. Londergan was born Aug. 27, 1911, in London, Ohio, one of eight children of the late Martin and Catherine Londergan. He grew up on tenant farms in Ohio and graduated from high school in 1928. He attended his beloved Antioch College from September 1929, working his way through school packing oranges in Florida, among other things, through graduation in 1936 with a bachelor of science degree. After working as a metallurgist at Battelle Institute for a year, he went back to earn a Ph.D. in chemistry from Ohio State University in 1940. Mr. Londergan spent his career as an organic chemist for DuPont, beginning in the Rayon Department at Buffalo, N.Y., moving to the Roessler-Hasslacher Department in Niagara Falls, N.Y., then moving in 1960 to the Elchem Department in Wilmington. He worked as senior research supervisor on development efforts with lysine, vitamins A and B and tetrahydrofuran. He retired in 1976. He was active in golf and tennis, and he learned to ski in his 70s. In his 80s, he traveled to Russia, India, Australia and Europe. He loved to talk about his family, the love of his life, Dorothy, Antioch College and his many friendships. His last years were spent at the Lorelton, where he took up painting and enjoyed many happy hours. Mr. Londergan, a life member of the American Chemical Society, acted as chairman of the Western New York section in 1959 and was elected a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science in 1963. He had been a member of Immaculate Heart of Mary Church for 43 years. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife of nearly 45 years, the former Dorothy Doerres, in May 1986; four brothers, Francis, William, Jim and Martin; and three sisters, Mary, Alice and Eileen. He is survived by eight children and their respective spouses, Tim and Gail of Bloomington, Ind., Richard and Martha of Wethersfield, Conn., Susan and Steve Springer of Westwood, Mass., Kathleen and Sam Griffin of Dover, Mary Lou and Peter Laurenza of Hadley, Mass., Betty and Lawrence Schall of Swarthmore, Pa., Bonnie and David Ham of Fort Collins, Colo., and Tom and Jean of LaCrosse, Wis.; 20 grandchildren; three step-grandchildren; and one great-grandchild. Another great-grandchild is expected in November. Mass of Christian burial will be 11 a.m. Monday in Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, 4701 Weldin Road, Wilmington, where friends and family may call one hour earlier. Burial will be in All Saints Cemetery. Instead of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions to Social Concerns Committee, Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, 4701 Weldin Road, Wilmington, DE 19803. Arrangements by Chandler Funeral Homes, Wilmington. --------------------------------------------------------------- * Thomas N. Meredith Sr., 77 LINCOLN - Thomas N. Meredith Sr. of Lincoln died Wednesday, June 11, 2003, in his home. He was 77. Mr. Meredith was born in Greenwood, son of the late Clarence H. and Elizabeth (Marklin) Meredith. He was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II. He was owner and operator of a mechanic shop and salvage yard in Ellendale that provided 24-hour towing service. He also operated a button cutting shop at home. He was a talented artisan and mechanic who could make or repair almost anything. Mr. Meredith was a life member of Ellendale Volunteer Fire Co. and a charter member of Appell-Tucker VFW Post 9244, Ellendale. A patriotic man, Mr. Meredith would fly his American flag every day. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by first wife of 22 years, Elizabeth A. Meredith, in 1967; and his second wife of 30 years, Frances Meredith, in 1999. He is survived by three daughters, Helen Hales of Lincoln, Pat Lankford of Milford and Sheila Breckner of Lincoln; three sons, Robert Meredith of Ellendale, Thomas N. Meredith Jr. of West Chester, Pa., and Jack Meredith of Lincoln; five grandchildren, David N. Workman of Milford, Kristie Doherty of Key West, Fla., and John Meredith, Mathew Meredith and Kyle Breckner, all of Lincoln; four stepdaughters, Joyce Ensminger, Pat Murray, Barbara Rogers and Diane Howell; five stepsons, Butch Messick, Tim Messick, Don Messick, Steve Messick and Terry Messick; and numerous step-grandchildren and great- grandchildren. Services will be 11 a.m. Saturday in Lofland Funeral Home, 102 Lakeview Ave., Milford, where friends may call one hour earlier. Burial will be in Ellendale Cemetery, Ellendale. Instead of flowers, the family suggests contributions to Ellendale Fire Co., P.O. Box 75, Ellendale, DE 19941. --------------------------------------------------------------- * Shaquan Dominic Morris, 3 months CAMBRIDGE, Md. - Shaquan Dominic Morris of Cambridge died Wednesday, June 11, 2003, in Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore. He was 3 months old. Shaquan was born March 6, 2003, in Bayview Hospital in Baltimore, son of Tytisha S. Morris of Cambridge. In addition to his mother, he is survived by biological grandparents, Francis C. Snowden, and her husband, Charles, of Millsboro, and Michael W. Watkins, and his wife, Theresa, of Bridgeville; his step-grandparents, Veronica H. and Charles W. Webb of Seaford; a foster grandparent, Kathy Pedigrew of Newark, Del.; great-grandmother, Barbara Watkins of Seaford; four aunts, Mikia Horsey, Kasadra Watkins, Latoya Morris and Shavonda Morris; three uncles, Theodore Morris, Michael Horsey and Arnell Molock; a godmother, Michelle Cook; and a host of other relatives. Graveside services will be 11 a.m. Saturday in Old Field Cemetery, Millsboro, Del. Arrangements by Framptom-Hawkins-Eskow Funeral Home, P.A. --------------------------------------------------------------- * Mikalia Aallyah Odums, newborn FREDERICA - Mikalia Aallyah Odums was born and died Monday, June 9, 2003, in Bayhealth/Kent General Hospital, Dover. Mikalia is survived by her parents, Nancy Lane and Quintin Odums; three brothers, Jason Smith of Frederica, E.J. Jones of Lincoln and Quintin Barnes Bridgeville; maternal grandparents, Linwood Cladding Accomac, Va., and Karen Thomas of Milford; paternal grandmother, Maxine Slay of Lincoln; and a host of aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews. Friends may call from 6 to 7 p.m. today in Youngs Funeral Home, 309 North St., Milford. Services will be 2 p.m. Saturday in the funeral home. Burial will be in Old Hickory Cemetery, Slaughter Neck. Arrangements by Youngs Funeral Home, Milford. --------------------------------------------------------------- * Retired U.S. Marine Corps Col. Robert M. Searles, 75 REHOBOTH BEACH - Retired U.S. Marine Corps Col. Robert M. Searles died peacefully, after a long illness, Wednesday, May 29, 2003, in his home. He was 75. Mr. Searles was born in New Britain, Conn., son of the late Raymond R. and Mabel C. Searles. He was a graduate of Admiral Billard Academy, New London, Conn., and Pennsylvania State University, State College, Pa., where he was a member of the Delta Chi Fraternity. He lettered in soccer and fencing while at Penn State. Mr. Searles joined the Marine Corps upon graduation and served in the Korean War and Vietnam War. Upon retirement from active duty, he decided to move to Rehoboth Beach and open his own business. He opened Arthur Treacher's Fish and Chips in 1976 on Del. 1. Upon final retirement, he pursued his passions, which were playing golf, hunting and fishing. Mr. Searles also did volunteer work with the Rehoboth Beach Lions, and 10 years in Beebe Medical Center's emergency room. He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Carol K. Searles; five children and the respective spouses of three, Lisa A. Searles, Raymond R. Searles II, Lori S. and Hank Grasing, Susan S. and Aidas Gimbutas and Stacey S. and Dave Murphy; and seven grandchildren, Ryan J. Searles, Julie A. Henderson, Leah I. Gimbutas, Luke H. Grasing, Christopher R. Willey, Susan Murphy and Ashur Murphy. Celebration of his life will be 11 a.m. June 24 in Rehoboth Beach Country Club, Rehoboth Beach. Instead of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions to the Beebe Vision 2005 ER Expansion Fund, or to Delaware Hospice. Arrangements by Parsell Funeral Homes and Crematorium, Atkins-Lodge Chapel, Lewes. --------------------------------------------------------------- * Joseph Eugene 'Joe' Seymour Sr., 80 LEWES - Joseph Eugene "Joe" Seymour Sr. of Lewes died of natural causes Tuesday, June 10, 2003, in his home. He was 80. Mr. Seymour was born March 15, 1923, son of the late Joseph C. and Annie H. Seymour. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II. Shortly thereafter, Mr. Seymour moved to Wilmington, living there for nearly 50 years. At a young age, he was employed by former Lt. Gov. John Rollins, and remained in their employ for more than 40 years until his retirement. He was a very close confidant to the Rollins family. He truly loved his family. Mr. Seymour was a devoted member of the Monday Club in Wilmington, and became an avid golfer, and competitive among his fellow club members. He was a member of the St. George A.M.E. Church in Lewes, and was a longtime standing member of a Masonic Order lodge in Wilmington. He is survived by three daughters, Linda Jo Echols of Newport News, Va., Nancy J. Collick of Lewes and Barbara A. Seymour of Wilmington; four sons, Clay Seymour of Wilmington, Wayne Gooch and Mark Gooch, both of Harbeson, and Ronald Robinson of Lewes; two sons-in-law, Gerald Echols and William Collick; a host of grandchildren and great-grandchildren; a sister, Anna Ward of Lewes; his wife, Jequetta Seymour of Wilmington; a devoted nephew, the Honorable Mayor George H.P. Smith of Lewes; three sisters-in-law; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends; also, his extended family, the family of the late John W. Rollins Sr. Friends may call from 6 to 8 p.m. today in St. George AME Church, 317 Park Ave., Lewes. Services will be 1 p.m. Saturday in the church, where friends also may call two hours earlier. Arrangements by Miller Funeral Services, Milford. --------------------------------------------------------------- * Alfred F. 'Pete' Sipple, 75 MILTON - Alfred F. "Pete" Sipple of Milton died, after a long illness, Wednesday, June 11, 2003, in his home. He was 75. Mr. Sipple was born in Dover, son of the late Clarence E. and Eleanor Mae Johnson Sipple. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army. Mr. Sipple and his family had lived in Milton since 1945. He was a cocoa-bean-roaster operator for Kraft General Foods in Dover for 28 years, retiring in 1992. He also was well-known in the Milton area for his handy work, doing many odd jobs for people, as needed, over the years. Mr. Sipple was a life member of Broadkiln VFW Post 6984 in Milton, and also, a member of the Lewes-Rehoboth Moose Lodge 646 and the Kraft Foods Retirees Group. He had attended both Christ Episcopal Church in Dover and St. Peter's Episcopal Church in Lewes. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Alvetta Sipple, in 1987; and a brother, Clarence Sipple, in 1956. He is survived by a son, Alfred F. Sipple II of Milton; two grandchildren, Christopher Lee and Casi Lynn Sipple, both of Milton; his companion of 15 years, Marion Case of Dover; a brother, George E. Sipple of Magnolia; and three sisters, Phyliss M. Aaron of Magnolia, Frances Robinson of Milton and Shirley Ames of Frankford. Services will be 3 p.m. Monday in Short Funeral Services, 416 Federal St., Milton, where friends may call one hour earlier. Burial will be private Instead of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions to St. Peter's Episcopal Church, P.O. Box 464, Lewes, DE 19958; or to Delaware Hospice, 600 N. Du Pont Highway, Georgetown, DE 19947. --------------------------------------------------------------- * Margaret Burris Taylor, 86 SMYRNA - Margaret Burris Taylor of Smyrna died Wednesday, June 11, 2003, in Green Valley Pavilion, Smyrna. She was 86. Mrs. Taylor was born Oct. 19, 1916 in Maryland, daughter of the late Lewis and Maggie Morris Burris. She was a dietitian for the Delaware Hospital for the Chronically Ill in Smyrna for 15 years before retirement. Her favorite hobbies were playing bingo and cards. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Malcolm Taylor; her first husband, Norman P. Klaumenzer; five brothers; and four sisters. She is survived by two daughters, Barbara Moore, with whom she lived, and Doris Laurens of Virginia Beach, Va.; a son, Howard Klaumenzer of Hartly; eight grandchildren; and 13 great grandchildren. Services will 1 p.m. Saturday in Faries Funeral Chapel, 29 S. Main St., Smyrna, where friends may call one hour earlier. Burial will be in Glenwood Cemetery, Smyrna. Arrangements by Faries Funeral Directors, Inc., Smyrna. --------------------------------------------------------------- * Josephine Latham Westcott, 88 MILLSBORO - Josephine Latham Westcott of Millsboro formerly of Philadelphia, died Thursday, June 12, 2003, in the home of her daughter, Jo Ann Paley. She was 88. Mrs. Westcott was born in Blounts Creek, N.C., daughter of the late Joseph and Lula Cox Latham. She worked in house services for the Bell Atlantic Co. in Philadelphia, retiring in 1980. Mrs. Westcott was a member of New Light Greenwich Baptist Church in Philadelphia, and for the past 12 years attended the community church of Oak Orchard, near Millsboro. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, William Westcott, in 1976. In addition to her daughter she is survived by a sister, Myrtle Neal of Hopewell, Va.; two nieces, Barbara Lou Swindell of Prince George, Va., and Janet I. Longo of Port Republic, N.J.; and two nephews, Marvin C. Neal and Thomas G. Neal, both of Hopewell, Va. Services will be 10 a.m. Monday in Watson Funeral Home, 211 Washington St., Millsboro, where friends may call one hour earlier. The Rev. Allen Miller will officiate. Burial will be in Overlook Cemetery, Bridgeton, N.J. Instead of flowers, contributions may be made to the Community Church of Oak Orchard, RD 4 Box 174, Millsboro, DE 19966. --------------------------------------------------------------- * JoAnn White, 72 DELMAR - JoAnn White of Delmar, formerly of Newark, died Wednesday, June 11, 2003, in Chancellor Care Center in Delmar. She was 72. Mrs. White was born Jan. 11, 1931, in Helen, W.Va., daughter of Ruby Wills Branch and the late Claude W. Branch. She graduated from Welch High School in 1948. She was a Rainbow Girl from 1948-52. She enjoyed embroidering, sewing and jigsaw puzzles. Everyone always loved and raved about her cooking. In addition to her father, she was preceded in death by her husband of nearly 35 years, Claude A. White Sr. In addition to her mother, she is survived by her son, C. Allen White Jr. of New Castle; a daughter, Brenda Gilbert of Seaford; a son, Michael W. White of Clayton; nine grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; a brother, Donn Branch of Roanoke, Va.; and her sister, Betty J. White of Nettie, W.Va. Friends may call from 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday in R.T. Foard and Jones Funeral Home, 122 W. Main St., Newark. Service will be 11 a.m. Monday in the funeral home. Burial will be in Kemblesville Methodist Cemetery. Memorial contributions in JoAnn's name may be made to the Delaware Association of the Blind or the American Diabetes Association, c/o the funeral home. ---------------------------------------------------------------