Kent County, Delaware - Obits: from The Dover Post ************************************************************************** USGENWEB ARCHIVES NOTICE: All documents placed in the USGenWeb Archives remain the property of the contributors, who retain publication rights in accordance with US Copyright Laws and Regulations. In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the Internet, these documents may be used by anyone for their personal research. They may be used by non-commercial entities so long as all notices and submitter information is included. These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit. Any other use, including copying files to other sites, requires permission from the contributors PRIOR to uploading to the other sites. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. USGenWeb Archives. Copyright. All rights reserved http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm This copy contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by: Melinda Jarvis Devereaux ************************************************************************** * Mary A. Birdwell, 81 DOVER - Mary A. Birdwell of Dover died Saturday, May 10, 2003, in Bayhealth- Kent General Hospital, Dover. She was 81. Mrs. Birdwell was born Sept. 3, 1921, in Fullerton, La., daughter, of the late Elijah and Welthan Conley. She was a homemaker. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Sidney Birdwell and four sons. She is survived by a son, Butch Birdwell of Belle Chasse, La.; a daughter, Mary L. McGinnis of Frederica; and six grandchildren. Services will be 8 p.m. Thursday in Trader Funeral Home in Dover, where friends may call one hour earlier. Burial will be at the convenience of the family. Remembrances can be posted at www.newszap.com. --------------------------------------------------------------- * Edna Rebecca Bundick, 67 DAGSBORO - Edna Rebecca Bundick of Dagsboro died Sunday, May 11, 2003, in Beebe Medical Center, Lewes. She was 67. Mrs. Bundick was born April 25, 1936, daughter of the late Elmer and Rebecca Magee. She was a former employee of Vlasic Foods near Millsboro, retiring in 2000. She is survived by her husband of 49 years, Oscar L. Bundick II; and eight children, Oscar L. Bundick III of Lewes, Wanda L. Tripp of Gumboro, David E. Bundick of Millsboro, Peggy J. Phillips of Gumboro, Jeffrey W. Bundick of Seaford, Micheal A. Bundick and Sharon L. Bundick, both of Gumboro and Teresa A. Taylor of Millsboro; 21 grandchildren; and 13 great-grandchildren. Services will be 1 p.m. Friday in Watson Funeral Home, 211 Washington St., Millsboro, where friends may call one hour earlier. Burial will be in Carey's Cemetery, Millsboro. Remembrances can be posted at www.newszap.com. --------------------------------------------------------------- * Elizabeth Mary Dixon, 76 NEWARK - Elizabeth Mary Dixon of Newark died suddenly Monday, May 12, 2003, in Christiana Hospital, Newark. She was 76. Mrs. Dixon was born March 27, 1927, in Audubon, N.J., daughter of the late Philip J. and Catherine Haye Tryon Lange. She was a graduate of Drexel Institute of Technology, now Drexel University. She was a teacher and beloved mother and grandmother. A Newark resident for 30 years, Mrs. Dixon was an active member of the A.A.U.W. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her twin brothers, Philip J. Lange, Jr. and George F. Lange. She is survived by her five children; Wesley Philip Dixon of Baltimore, Arthur Roy Dixon of Portland, Ore., Stuart Paul Dixon of Philadelphia, Donald Edward Dixon of Newark and Ellen Marie Carey of Clayton; a sister, Catherine Ruth Lennox of Tennessee; seven grandchildren, Matthew Wesley Dixon of Annapolis, Md., Roy Wolfe Dixon of Portland, Elizabeth Anne Elk Dixon of Philadelphia, Eric Riley Dixon of Wilmington and Sarah Ellen, Caitlin Marie and Jess Michael Carey, all of Clayton. Memorial service will be 2 p.m. Friday in R.T. Foard '&;' Jones Funeral Home, 122 W. Main St., Newark, where friends may call one hour earlier. Burial will be private. Instead of flowers, the family suggests contributions may be made in Mrs. Dixon's name to the American Heart Association, c/o the funeral home. Remembrances can be posted at www.newszap.com. --------------------------------------------------------------- * Nova R. Ellyson, 89 Nova R. Ellyson died Sunday, May 11, 2003, in Lifecare at Lofland Park, Seaford. She was 89. Ms. Ellyson was born Nov. 19, 2003, in Wells County, Ind., daughter of the late George Marion Tomlimson and Grace Scott. She worked at Star Glove Factory for 15 years sewing gloves. Ms. Ellyson was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, Seaford and the AARP. She is survived by a daughter, Catherine J. West of Seaford; a son, Richard Darst of Santee, Calif.; a brother, Howard Malott of Yorktown, Ind.; three grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren. Graveside services will be 1 p.m. Friday in the Gardens of Memory, Marion, Ind. Arrangements by Watson Funeral Home. Remembrances can be posted at www.newszap.com. --------------------------------------------------------------- * Ruben Guzman-Figueroa, 51 HARTLY - Ruben Guzman-Figueroa of Hartly died of a heart attack Saturday, May 10, 2003. He was 51. Mr. Guzman was born Feb. 15, 1952, in Morouis, Puerto Rico, son of the late Soloman Guzman and Carmen Figueroa Guzman. He was employed as a truck driver with Hobbs Enterprise of Woodside. Mr. Guzman enjoyed golfing, hunting, fishing and spending time with his friends and family. In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by a brother, Ricardo Guzman. He is survived by a daughter, Tina Comegys of Dover; a granddaughter, Evelyn Trusdale of Dover; three brothers, Jesus (Popo) Guzman of Florida, Pedro (Pijuan) Guzman of South Carolina and Pedro (Pete) Guzman of Magnolia; two sisters, Juanna Torres of Florida and Carmen Guzman of Puerto Rico; an uncle, Pedro Guzman and his wife, Carmen Guzman of Florida, a very special friend, Candy Comegys of Hartly; close friends, Pete (Pop) and Elizabeth (Betty) Comegys of Hartly; and several nieces and nephews. Services will be 11 a.m. Wednesday in the Pippin Funeral Home, 119 West Camden-Wyoming Ave., Wyoming, where friends may call two hours earlier. Burial will be in Sharon Hills Memorial Park, Dover. Instead of flowers, the family request contributions to Pippin Funeral Home, 119 W. Camden-Wyoming Ave., Wyoming, DE 19934 to help with expenses. Remembrances can be posted at www.newszap.com. --------------------------------------------------------------- * Karla Louise Foskey, 31 COTTAGE GROVE, Ore. - Karla Louise Foskey of Cottage Grove, formerly of Cape May, N.J., Georgetown, Del., Oak Ridge, Tenn., San Mateo, Calif., and Eugene died Tuesday, April 29, 2003. She was 31. Ms. Foskey was born May 24, 1971, in North Cape May, N.J., daughter of Preston Foskey of Tacoma, Wash. and the late Yulonda Evans Foskey. She attended the Life Skills program at North Eugene High School. Ms. Foskey enjoyed spending time with her family and friends, especially her longtime respite caregivers, Robin and Laura. In addition to her mother, she was preceded in death by her maternal grandfather, Frank Evans of Georgetown; and her paternal grandfather and grandmother, Preston and Verna Foskey of Lewes, Del. In addition to her father, she is survived by her stepparents, Eugene O'Neil and Linda Love of Cottage Grove; her grandmother, Elsie Evans Willey of Georgetown; a brother, Kurtiss Foskey of Springfield; two sisters, Kristal Foskey and Cryssy O'Neil, both of Portland and uncles, aunts and cousins in Delaware. Services will be 3 p.m. Saturday in the Unitarian Universalist Church in Eugene. Arrangements by Musgrove Family Mortuary in Eugene. The family suggests memorial contributions to ARC of Lane County. Remembrances can be posted at www.newszap.com. --------------------------------------------------------------- * Martha Jean House Green, 60 GREENWOOD - Martha Jean House Green of Greenwood died Sunday, May 11, 2003, in Bayhealth-Kent General Hospital, Dover. She was 60. Mrs. Green was born in Eldorado, Ill., daughter of Verda I. (Spencer) House Ramsey of Brooklyn, Conn. and the late Gene House. She was a 1964 graduate of George Peabody College for Teachers in Nashville, Tenn. Mrs. Green was a junior high school teacher for the Hazelwood School District in Florissant, Mo., and later at Caesar Rodney and Milford School districts. She worked for the Sussex County Council as a librarian's assistant in the Greenwood Public Library from 1987 until she became disabled and retired in April. She enjoyed books and reading, an interest that she passed along to her daughters and grandchildren. She liked working with senior citizens and was looking forward to volunteering as a reader at the Country Rest Home in Greenwood. She was an excellent cook and helped her daughters learn that skill. She loved spending time with her family, watching old movies, especially comedies and March Madness college basketball playoffs, listening to 50s and 60s music, bird watching, going out to eat and shopping. Mrs. Green was a member of Reformation Lutheran Church, Milford and was the current president of the Greenwood Lions Club. In addition to her mother, she is survived by her husband of 39 years, Donald J. Green; two daughters and a son-in-law, Melinda J. Green and Scott Nethercutt of Woodbridge, Va. and Caroline L. Green of Owings Mills, Md.; a brother, John Keith House of Hampton, Conn. and four grandchildren, Amara, Caylin, Brandt and Dolan. Services will be 11 a.m. Thursday in Reformation Lutheran Church, 613 Lakeview Ave., Milford. Friends may call from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday in Lofland Funeral Home, 102 Lakeview Ave., Milford. Burial will be in St. Johnstown Cemetery, Greenwood. Remembrances can be posted at www.newszap.com. --------------------------------------------------------------- * Margaret T. Hopkins, 85 HARRINGTON - Margaret T. Hopkins of Harrington died Saturday, May 10, 2003, in the Bayhealth-Milford Memorial Hospital. She was 85. Mrs. Hopkins was born in Farmington, daughter of the late Joseph L. and Katie J. (Legates) Taylor. She worked as a seamstress at the former George Sherwin Shirt Co. and the Aetna Shirt Co. in Harrington for more than 20 years. She also worked at the Mulholland Spoon Factory in Milford for several years. She loved flowers and was an avid gardener. She enjoyed working puzzles and loved to watch professional wrestling. Mrs. Hopkins was a member of the Harrington Senior Center. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Thomas Burton Hopkins in 2000. She is survived by a son, Allen Hopkins of Felton; a daughter, C. Louise Hopkins of Houston; a sister, Catherine Smith of Houston; five grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren. Services will be 1 p.m. Wednesday in the McKnatt Funeral Home, 50 Commerce St., Harrington, where friends may call one hour earlier. Burial will be in Hollywood Cemetery, Milford-Harrington Highway, Harrington. Remembrances can be posted at www.newszap.com. --------------------------------------------------------------- * Mary E. Leyba, 74 DOVER - Mary E. Leyba of Dover died Sunday, May 11, 2003, in Bayhealth-Kent General Hospital, Dover. She was 74. Mrs. Leyba was born March 30, 1929, in Farrell, Pa., son of the late George W. Lescisin and Pearl Margaret Johnson Lescisin. She retired in 1985 after 20 years in retail sales for Safeway Food Store. Mrs. Leyba enjoyed traveling overseas, reading, doing crossword puzzles, going to Dover Downs and especially loved being with her family and friends. She is survived by her husband, Clifford; three sons, Patsy Combine Jr. of Florida, Michael Leyba of Utopia, Texas and George Leyba of LaJolla, Calif.; three daughters, Janice Grasinger of Greenville, Pa., Pamela Clapper of Clark, Pa. and Carole Leyba of Denver; eight grandchildren; and a great-granddaughter. Memorial services will be private. Burial will be 10 a.m. Thursday, May 29 in Arlington National Cemetery. Arrangements by Torbert Funeral Chapel, Dover. Remembrances can be posted at www.newszap.com. --------------------------------------------------------------- * Freda H. Lomax, 87 EASTON, Md. - Freda H. Lomax of Easton, formerly of St. Michaels, died Sunday, May 11, 2003, in her home. She was 87. Mrs. Lomax was born June 30, 1915, daughter of the late. Daniel and Susan Harrison She retired from the U.S. Postal Service as a rural mail carrier for the St. Michaels Post Office's Bozman-Neavitt route. Mrs. Lomax was a life member of the St. Michaels Fire Department and served as president of the ladies auxiliary for many years. She is survived by her brother, Damon Harrison of Georgia; a daughter, Virginia L. Adams of St. Michaels; a son, Roland "Sonny" Lomax Jr. of Felton, Del.; seven grandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren; and 15 great-great- grandchildren. Friends may call from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday in R. Carroll Hurley Funeral Home, formerly Leonard's Funeral Home, in St. Michaels. Services will be 1 p.m. Thursday in the funeral home. Burial will be in Spring Hill Cemetery, Easton. Memorial donations may be made to the St. Michaels Volunteer Fire Department, St. Michaels. Remembrances can be posted at www.newszap.com. --------------------------------------------------------------- * Abigail 'Abbie' Loretta Russell, 71 DOVER - Abigail "Abbie" Loretta Russell of Dover died after a brief but courageous struggle with a short illness Thursday, May 8, 2003, in her home in her daughter's arms. She was 71. Miss Russell was born April 26, 1932, daughter of the late Wilfred Alexander Russell and Gladys Salome Joshua Russell, the fifth of six children from this union. As a proud, honest and devoted person, she joined the Union Congregational choir in Harlem, where she resided with her family at the age of 11 and remained a member until she was 18. She moved from Harlem, N.Y. in 1953 and resided in Brooklyn, Queens, and Long Island before settling in Dover. Miss Russell became Catholic in 1953 and joined the Third Order of St. Francis at St. John's Church, which enabled her to travel to various places in Europe, including Loreto and Rome, where she had an audience with Pope John Paul II. She was employed by L '&;' W Bra Co. for eight years and Lillyette Bra for nine years. In 1966, she became a civil service employee, where she worked for 22 years in the Medicaid office until her retirement in 1989. While residing in South Floral Park, N.Y. with her daughter, son-in-law and granddaughter, she became the loving caretaker of the late Earl Parham. She then moved to Dover in 2000. Miss Russell had no degrees on her wall, but she had the more important "degrees" of compassion, kindness and generosity. She never acquired any independent wealth but she carried herself like a millionaire and had a style all her own. Some of her many loves included sewing and crocheting, but the most treasured and obvious was her affinity to her plants. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by four siblings, Ruth, George, Camille and Rhoda "Nellie." She is survived by her loving and devoted daughter and son-in-law, Jeanette and Garner Cox of South Floral Park and Dover; beloved granddaughter, Shatima Cox of Dover; her brother and sister-in-law, LeRoi and Ernestine Russell of Rockville Centre, N.Y.; son-in-law's mother, Mother Sarah Scott of Dover; a sister-in-law, Marian Russell of Cambria Heights, N.Y.; and eight loving nieces; five nephews; and a host of great-nieces and nephews, cousins and a numerous amount of friends and family from the church and all over these United States. Service with mass will be 11 a.m. Tuesday in Holy Cross Church, State Street, Dover. Burial will be in Sharon Hill Cemetery, Dover. Arrangements by Bennie Smith Funeral Home. Remembrances can be posted at www.newszap.com. --------------------------------------------------------------- * Edward M. Smith, 77 SEAFORD - Edward M. Smith of Seaford died Sunday, May 11, 2003, in Green Valley Terrace Nursing Home in Millsboro. He was 77. Mr. Smith retired in 1989 from Preston Trucking Co., where he was a truck driver. He was active in Peninsula Bluegrass Association. He was a veteran of the U S Army and served in the 3rd Infantry under Gen. George S. Patton. Mr. Smith was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars in Denton, Md. He was preceded in death by his wife, Bernice E. Smith in 1999. He is survived by four sons, Robert Yoder of Little Heaven, Curtis Foraker of Lincoln, Edwin Foraker of Ostine, Fla. and Glenn Smith of Virginia Beach, Va.; three daughters, Phyllis Merill of Lincoln, Joan King of Delmar and Christine Wolfe of Georgetown; and 15 grandchildren; and 14 great-grandchildren. Services will be 1 p.m. Wednesday in the Cranston Funeral Home, 300 N. Shipley St., Seaford, where friends may call one hour earlier. Burial will be in Odd Fellows Cemetery. Remembrances can be posted at www.newszap.com. --------------------------------------------------------------- * Robert 'Bobby' Ray Smith, 49 SMYRNA - Robert "Bobby" Ray Smith of Smyrna died Saturday, May 10, 2003, in Smyrna. He was 49. Mr. Smith was born in Piney View, W.Va., son of Betty Kincaid Smith of Smyrna and the late Archie Smith. He was a contract painter. Mr. Smith enjoyed outdoor activities, fishing, hunting. gardening and landscaping. He was loved very much and will be missed by all of his family and friends. In addition to his mother, he is survived by two sons, Jacob Smith of Clayton and Todd Rash of New York City; two daughters, Stephanie Smith and Autumn Smith, both of Clayton; two brothers, Donald Smith of Goldsboro, Md. and Jack Smith of Varstow, Fla.; three sisters, Linda Ruff of Easton, Md., Theresa Blanchfield of Clayton and Norma Woolum of Florence, Ky.; two granddaughters; seven nieces; and four nephews. Service will be 2 p.m. today in Fellows, Helfenbein and Newnam Funeral Home, P. A., Millington, Md., where friends may call one hour earlier. Burial will be in Sudlersville Cemetery, Sudlersville, Md. Remembrances can be posted at www.newszap.com. --------------------------------------------------------------- * Benson A. Towers, 83 PRESTON, Md. - Benson A. Towers of Preston died Sunday, May 11, 2003, in Memorial Hospital, Easton. He was 83. Mr. Towers was born at the home on the family farm near Preston, son of the late Charles H. and Ethel Hopkins. He had been a locksmith for the DuPont plant in Seaford for 42 years, retiring in 1981. He delivered the Sunpapers to the Eastern Shore for 20 years. Mr. Towers was a member of the Ames Untied Methodist Church in Hobbs and a member of the Gethsemane Lodge 28 A.F.'&;'A.M. in Reliance. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Elsie W. Towers Feb. 25, 2001; two brothers, Carlton H. Towers and Clifford D. Towers; and two sisters, Mildred Crane and Evelyn Towers. He is survived by his three daughters, Diane Kerr and Barbara Glass, both of Seaford, Del. and Mary Corkell of Greenwood, Del; a grandson; four granddaughters; and three great-grandchildren. Friends may call from 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday in the Moore Funeral Home, P.A., 12 South Second St. in Denton, where a Masonic memorial service will be at 8 p.m. Services will be 2 p.m. Friday in the funeral home, where friends may also call one hour earlier. Burial will be in the Denton Cemetery. The family suggests memorial contributions to the Ames United Methodist Church, c/o Mrs. Charlotte Speir, 8882 Watts Creek Lane, Denton, MD 21629 or to the Parkinson's Disease Foundation, 710 W. 168th St., New York, NY 10032-9982. Remembrances can be posted at www.newszap.com. --------------------------------------------------------------- * Margueritte E. Wagner, 64 BOWERS BEACH - Margueritte E. Wagner of Bowers Beach died Sunday, May 11, 2003, in her home. She was 64. Ms. Wagner was born July 10, 1938, in Wilmington. She moved from Texas to Delaware in 1986. She worked for more than 11 years in the labeling department for Perdue before retiring in 1998. Ms. Wagner enjoyed scary movies, the scarier the better, and going to Ocean City for Thrasher's French Fries. She is survived by her loving sister, Evelyn Reese and her companion miniature poodle, Doodles. Services will be private. Arrangements by Torbert Funeral Chapel, Dover. Remembrances can be posted at www.newszap.com. --------------------------------------------------------------- * Elwood Richard Warren, 61 VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. - Elwood Richard Warren of Virginia Beach died Saturday, May 3, 2003. He was 61. Mr. Warren graduated from Seaford High School in 1960 and had resided in the Virginia Beach area for the past 40 years. He was a member of Forefront Church. He is survived by his stepmother, Marguerite Warren of Seaford; his stepfather, John Leyanna of Millsboro; a daughter and son-in-law, Tracy W. and Nick Miracle of Denver; a sister, Connie Keene of Seaford; three grandsons, Travis, Chad and Bryce Miracle of Denver; and numerous nieces, nephews and other relatives. Services were held in the Altmeyer Funeral Home, Virginia Beach Chapel. Instead of flowers, the family suggests contributions to the Forefront Church, 800 Seahawk Circle, Virginia Beach, VA 23452. Remembrances can be posted at www.newszap.com. --------------------------------------------------------------- * Arthur E. Wynes, 83 MILFORD - Arthur E. Wynes of Milford died Sunday, May 11, 2003, in Harbor Health and Rehabilitation Center, Lewes. He was 83. Mr. Wynes was born in Wilmington, son of the late Frank and Marian (Tappan) Wynes. He moved to Milford during his childhood and was raised by Jennie Short. He was a maintenance mechanic at MarClay Mills in Milford and Penn Fibers in Greenwood before retiring in 1980. Mr. Wynes enjoyed collecting railroad memorabilia and model trains. He spent countless hours working in his yard and tending to his gardens, and especially enjoyed sharing tall tales with family and friends. He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Doris Wynes; three sons and daughters-in-law, Dave and Joan Wynes of Bridgeville, Theodore and Ann Wynes of Lincoln and Kevin and Joyce Wynes of Camden; nine grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren. Services will be private at the convenience of the family. Arrangements by Lofland Funeral Home, Milford. Instead of flowers, the family suggests contributions to Lofland Funeral Home, Arthur E. Wynes Services, 102 Lakeview Ave., Milford, DE 19963, which will go towards funeral expenses. Remembrances can be posted at www.newszap.com. ---------------------------------------------------------------