Sussex County, Delaware - Obits: from The Cape Gazette ************************************************************************** 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 ************************************************************************** Randall "Whitey" Christensen * Randall "Whitey" Christensen, 86, of Milford, died Friday, Jan. 10, 2003, in Bayhealth-Milford Memorial Hospital. Mr. Christensen attended Milford Public School, where he played football and soccer. As a young man, he left the family farm and became a self-employed produce buyer and trucker. He was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II, and served in the European Theatre of Operations, earning decorations for action in the Ardennes, Rhineland and Central Europe campaigns. Following military service, he returned to Milford and re-engaged in produce buying and shipping. In 1954, he joined Webb's Motors and became an award-winning truck and car salesman, retiring in 1978. He was also an accomplished salesman for Bolan Motors, Dover, for three years following. He enjoyed working on his lawn and maintaining his property and gardens. He was a member of American Legion Post 3, Milford; Elks Lodge BPOE 2401, Milford; and the Odd Fellows Lodge. He was a charter member of the VFW Blue Hen Post 6483, Milford. He is survived by his wife of 69 years, Alice Johnson Christensen; a son and daughter-in-law, Randall and Olga Christensen of Wilmington; three grandchildren, Susan Swain of Milford, David Christensen of Colchester, Conn., and Mark Christensen of Milton; two sisters, Vera Warren and Christina Paquette, both of Milford; seven great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews and their families. Services will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 16, at Lofland Funeral Home, Milford, with burial in Odd Fellows Cemetery, Milford. Contributions are suggested to the Carlisle Fire Co., P.O. Box 292, Milford DE 19963; or Milford VFW Post 6483, P.O. Box 273, Milford, DE 19963. --------------------------------------------------------------- Louis A. Stramacchia * Louis A. Stramacchia, 71, of Horntown, Va., and formerly of Harbeson, died Friday, Jan. 10, 2003, in Peninsula Regional Medical Center, Salisbury. Mr. Strammachia was a veteran of the U.S. Navy, serving in the Korean War. He was a supervisor at Vlasic Foods in Millsboro for 18 years, until 1987. For the past eight years he was a security guard at Chincoteague Bay Trails End, Horntown. He was a member of Oak Orchard-Riverdale American Legion Post 29; Harbeson United Methodist Church; the Nanticoke Tribe of the Improved Order of the Redmen; and the Sons of Italy, Lockhaven, Pa. He also attended the New Church United Methodist Church. He is survived by his wife of 51 years, Shirley Creasy Stramacchia; two sons, Michael of Horntown and Mark of Dewey Beach; two daughters, Theresa McGee of Hanover, Pa. and Victoria Eastburn of Millsboro; two sisters, Martha Casey of California and Patricia Riebel of Ocean View; three grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. Services will be held at 8 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 14, in Watson Funeral Home, Millsboro, with burial in the Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Millsboro. Contributions are suggested to Watson Funeral Home, 211 Washington Street, Millsboro DE 19966. --------------------------------------------------------------- Joseph P. Buccio * Joseph P. Buccio, 84, of Wilmington, died Friday, Jan. 10, 2003, in Christiana Hospital, Newark. Mr. Buccio was a retired master sergeant from the U.S. Air Force, serving during World War II and the Korean War. He was a member of the Veterans Administration. He was a loving husband and a great father who will be dearly missed by his wife and children. He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Mary Buccio; his daughters, Josephine Malin and Sally Pennell, both of Bear; his sons, Michael of Pike Creek and Joseph Jr. of Lewes; six grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren. Services and burial were private. Contributions are suggested to the American Heart Association, 1096 Old Churchmans Road, Newark, DE 19713. --------------------------------------------------------------- Margaret "Pat" McNamara * Margaret "Pat" McNamara, 80, of Lewes and formerly of York, Pa., and Dewey Beach, died Saturday, Jan. 4, 2003, while visiting Snowmass Village, Colo., after a wonderful visit with her family. Mrs. McNamara lived an active and unique life. She was born in Casmalia, Calif., and during her life, lived in Oregon, Massachusetts, New York, Pennsylvania and Delaware. She met and married her husband, the late H.F. "Mac" McNamara when both were serving in the U.S. Marine Corps in World War II. Her favorite pastimes were digging in her garden, walking barefoot on the beach and watching the sunsets over the bay in Dewey Beach where she and her family have vacationed for nearly 40 years. She is survived by her four children, Stephen of Fort Lauderdale, Fla., Kathleen, with whom she lived in Lewes, Antoinette of Rockland, Maine and Michael and her one precious grandchild, Christopher, of Snowmass Village, Colo. Services were private. Contributions are suggested to KINfolk, P.O. Box 9267, Wilmington, DE 19809-0267. --------------------------------------------------------------- Anthony L. "Tony" Noto * Anthony L. "Tony" Noto, 55, of Orlando, Fla., and formerly of Lewes, died Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2003, with his family at his side after a courageous battle with cancer. Mr. Noto was a food and beverage manager in the hospitality industry for many years. He was a graduate of Lewes High School. He was an inspiration to his family and friends for his kind and gentle heart. He will be sadly missed by those who knew and loved him. He was preceded in death by two brothers, John in 1994 and Joseph in 1992. He is survived by his mother, Marie Bostic of Lewes; two sisters, Cathy Scrivener of Richmond, Va. and Barbara Wiltbank of Lewes; and several nieces and nephews. Services were held at All Faiths Funeral Chapel, Orlando, Fla. --------------------------------------------------------------- A. Dean Betts Sr. * A. Dean Betts Sr., 76, of Seaford, died Thursday, Jan. 9, 2003, at Life Care Lofland Park. Mr. Betts was a 1944 graduate of Seaford High School and graduated from the University of Maryland in 1949 and the University of Maryland Law School in 1952. He was the Sussex County clerk for Tunnell '&;' Tunnell from 1953-54 and he started and continued his own practice from 1954 until his death. Mr. Betts was president of the Nanticoke Memorial Hospital board of directors for five years, a charter member of the Knights of Columbus in Seaford and Rehoboth, an active member of Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Seaford, a member of the Seaford Lions Club, and Sussex County chairman of the United Way. He was the attorney for Delaware Cooperative for 14 years, attorney for the Sussex County Council for 14 years and attorney for the State House of Representatives from 1960-61. He was the Committeeman for the 39th District for 30 years, vice president of the Delaware State Bar, president of the Sussex County Bar Association and the recipient of the Daniel Hermann Professional Conduct Award. He was a medic in the United States Navy in World War II. He is survived by his beloved wife of 49 years, Rosemary "Dusty" Betts; daughter, Dr. Susan Betts of Seaford; son Michael Dean Betts of Seaford; daughters and sons-in-law, Judge Rosemary Betts Beauregard and Andre M. Beauregard of Lewes and Colleen Betts DeMott and Brian DeMott of Seaford; sons and daughters-in-law, Dr. Anthony Paul and Dr. Laurie Betts of Royersford, Pa., and A. Dean Betts Jr. Esq. and April Betts Esq.; a brother, Paul Betts of Calhoun, La.; and 14 grandchildren. Services were held at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, Seaford, with burial in Our Lady of Lourdes Cemetery. Contributions are suggested to Our Lady of Lourdes Church, P.O. Box 719, Seaford DE 19973, or to the American Heart Association, 600 S. DuPont Highway, Georgetown DE 19947. --------------------------------------------------------------- Pearl C. Long * Pearl C. Long, 90, of Lewes, died Friday, Jan. 10, 2003, at Harbor Healthcare '&;' Rehabilitation Center, Lewes. Mrs. Long was born in Millsboro. She worked as a cook for many years for Beebe Medical Center, retiring in 1984. She was a member of Midway Baptist Church in Lewes. She was preceded in death by her husband, Alton W. Long, in 1991. She is survived by a daughter, Shirley M. Weaver of Willow Street, Pa.; a son, Bruce O. Long of Florida; a sister, Elsie Messick of Hemet, Calif.; eight grandchildren; and several great-grandchildren. Services will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 15, from the Chapel of Short Funeral Services, Milton, with burial in Odd Fellows Cemetery, Milton. Contributions are suggested to Midway Baptist Church, Box 281, Route 24, Lewes DE 19958. Arrangements by Short Funeral Services, Milton. --------------------------------------------------------------- Joseph L. Dorey * Joseph L. Dorey, 64, of Milton, died Friday, Jan. 10, 2003, in Bayhealth- Milford Memorial Hospital, Milford. Mr. Dorey was born in Millsboro, the son of Phoebe Coffin Donovan of Fruitland, Md. and the late Alfred Lee Dorey. He served in the U.S. Navy and was a retired welder. In addition to his mother, he is survived by a son, Joseph W. Dorey of Bishopville, Md.; a brother, Rueben Donovan of Milton; three sisters, Ruby Bowers of Ambler, Pa., Ann von Bonin of Hartly and Doris Cecil of Fruitland; four grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. Services will be held at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 14, from the Chapel of Melson Funeral Homes, Frankford, with burial private. Contributions are suggested to a charity of choice. Arrangements by Melson Funeral Services, Frankford. --------------------------------------------------------------- Marjorie Van Riper Sheldon * Marjorie Van Riper Sheldon, 87, of Lewes, died Thursday, Jan. 9, 2003, at Beebe Medical Center, Lewes. Mrs. Sheldon was born in Patterson, N.J. and moved to Wilmington where she worked for Mullins Department Store for many years. She moved to Lewes upon her retirement. She is survived by her son, Clark "Pete" Sheldon and her daughter-in-law Carol Sheldon of Lewes; and her beloved grandchildren, Billy Sheldon of Lewes, David Sheldon and his wife Carol of Oak Orchard, and Cathy Tretheway and her husband Bruce of Temple, Texas; three great-grandchildren, Brittany of Lewes, and Matthew and Michael of Temple, Texas; three sister, Mabel Iverstrom of Reston, Va., Betty Leitner of Florida and Kay Strom of New Jersey; and 10 nieces and nephews. Services and burial were private. Contributions are suggested to Good Shepherd Cat Sanctuary, 32600 Landing Lane, Delmar, MD 21857. Arrangements by Parsell Funeral Homes '&;' Crematorium, Lewes. --------------------------------------------------------------- Anne Shane Bader * Anne Shane Bader, 79, of Wilmington, died Sunday, Jan. 5, 2003, at Shipley Manor Health Center. Mrs. Bader had lived in Wilmington for more than 65 years. For 25 years, she was executive director of the Medical Society of Delaware, and at the time of her death, had just recently retired as executive director of the Delaware chapter, American Academy of Family Physicians. She had attended the University of Miami of Ohio. She is survived by her husband of 30 years, John Merwin Bader; a son and daughter, Donald L. Shane Jr. of Wilmington and Tracy Shane Kramer of Annapolis, Md.; four brothers, Tracy Schoonmaker of Ellicott City, Md., Robert Schoonmaker of Downingtown, Pa., Jay Schoonmaker of Indianapolis, Ind., and Lowell Schoonmaker of Rehoboth; three sisters, Mary Jane Waldrop of Pontotoc, Miss., Carol Greene of Jacksonville, Fla., and Lois Kyritsis of Wilmington; two grandsons, Shane Noble Kramer of Bethesda, Md. and Mackenzie Shane of Landenberg, Pa.; and a great-granddaughter, Lindsay Kramer. In addition, she is survived by three stepchildren, Matthew J. Bader of Wilmington, Mary Donley of Coatesville, Pa., and Eileen Williams of Seattle, Wash. Services were held at Chandler Funeral Home, Wilmington, with burial in Newark Union Cemetery, Brandywine Hundred. Contributions are suggested to St. Francis Hospital, Wilmington, or to the Ministry of Caring, Wilmington. --------------------------------------------------------------- John D. "Dusty" Cumens Jr. * John D. "Dusty" Cumens Jr., 45, of Claymont, died from cancer Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2003, in Christiana Hospital, Newark. Mr. Cumens was born March 12, 1957, in Wilmington, the son of Barbara L. Stradley Lindinger of Millville. He worked as a power plant operator for Conectiv, Delaware City, for more than 20 years. He enjoyed boating, fishing and being in the outdoors. In addition to his mother, he is survived by his wife, Gail M. Davey Cumens; a daughter, Crista L. Pierson of Smyrna; a son, David J. Cumens, at home; a brother, Jeffrey of Millville; and two sisters, Gail A. Bleacher of Hockessin and Connie C. Murray of Milton. Services and burial were private. Contributions are suggested to the American Cancer Society, 92 Read's Way, Suite 205, New Castle, DE 19720. ---------------------------------------------------------------