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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 ************************************************************************** * Elberta Lynch Conaway Civic volunteer Elberta Lynch Conaway, 93, of Georgetown, died Saturday, Feb. 22, 2003 in Beebe Medical Center, after a two-month illness. A native of southern Delaware all her life, Mrs. Conaway was born in Roxana in 1909. In 1929, she graduated from the Women's College of the University of Delaware with a degree in teaching. She taught in the Georgetown school district until 1931 when she married Harry M. Conaway, a local businessman. Mr. Conaway died in 1959. Involved in her community, Mrs. Conaway was an active member of Wesley Methodist Church for more than 60 years where she served on the church's board of trustees and as a member of the Sunshine Class. She was also involved in the Georgetown New Century Club and was an early commissioner for the Georgetown library. In the past, she also served on the American Field Service Committee, which helped pair foreign students with local families. Along with her civic interest, Mrs. Conaway was a great sports enthusiast. She became one of the charter members of Sussex Pines Country Club and was active in its women's golf program for many years. Her participation in golf continued until she was well into her 80s. Her other sports passion was major league baseball. She religiously followed the Baltimore Orioles, but the Phillies and Atlanta Braves were also high on her list. She also enjoyed playing bridge, cooking goodies which she loved to give to her family and friends, and living life to the fullest. She cared deeply for her family and friends. She is survived by a daughter, Joyce Graves and her husband Robert of Millsboro; a brother and sister-in-law, Thomas and Jane Lynch of Seaford; a granddaughter, Jennifer Walter and her husband, Mark of Fairfax, Va.; a grandson, Brett Graves and his wife Pam of Lewes; and two great-grandsons, Seth Graves and Matthew Brandon Walker; and many nieces and nephews. Services will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 26, in the chapel of Short Funeral Services, Georgetown, with burial in Union Cemetery, Georgetown. Contributions are suggested to Wesley United Methodist Church, Laurel and Race Streets, Georgetown, DE 19947 or the Georgetown Public Library Building Fund, c/o Alex Robinson, 111 S. Front Street, Georgetown, DE 19947. Arrangements by Short Funeral Services, Georgetown. --------------------------------------------------------------- * Robert Blansfield Retired mechanic Robert Blansfield, 85, of Rehoboth Beach, died Saturday, Feb. 22, 2003, at Beebe Medical Center. Mr. Blansfield had been employed as a garage mechanic. He was a veteran of World War II, serving in the U.S. Army. He loved fishing, bowling and NASCAR racing. He is survived by his wife, Helen Blansfield of Rehoboth Beach; a daughter, Bonnie Campbell of Newark; a sister Marie Marcozzi, of Newark; and three grandchildren. Family will receive friends from 10-11 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 26, at the Atkins-Lodge Chapel, Parsell Funeral Homes '&;' Crematorium, Lewes. Burial will be in Hickory Grove Cemetery, Port Penn. Arrangements by Parsell Funeral Homes '&;' Crematorium, Lewes. --------------------------------------------------------------- * Josephine V. Hamer Worked for Westinghouse Josephine V. Hamer, 90, of Rehoboth Beach, died Friday, Feb. 21, 2003, at home. Mrs. Hamer had formerly worked as an assembler for the Westinghouse Corporation. She was a member of Methodist Church. She was preceded in death by her husband, Ralph Abbott Hamer, in 1984. She is survived by two sons, Ralph Hamer of Rehoboth Beach and Squire Ernest Hamer of Charles Town, W.Va.; a brother, Charles Tysinger of Keyser, W.Va.; 15 grandchildren; and 21 great-grandchildren. Family will receive friends from 6-7 p.m. at the Atkins-Lodge Chapel, Parsell Funeral Homes, Lewes. Burial will be in Glen Haven Memorial Park Inc., Glen Burnie. Arrangements by Parsell Funeral Homes '&;' Crematorium, Lewes. --------------------------------------------------------------- * William Francis George Entrepreneur William Francis George, 89, of Worton, Md., died Friday, Feb. 21, 2003, in Kent and Queen Anne's Hospital, Chestertown, Md. Mr. George was a 1929 graduate of Easton High School, Easton, and while working in Baltimore after graduation as a blueprint expert for Glenn L. Martin Co., attended Polytechnic Institute for two years, excelling in mathematics. During World War II, he served in the Maryland National Guard. He worked with the Kunkel Service Co. in Chestertown for 29 years and retired in 1974. After retirement, he and his wife opened an antique in Kingstown called the Busy Bee. In the 1980s, he opened a bike shop in Kennedyville, where he sold and repaired bicycles. He was known for his expertise in opening locks and safes. He and his wife, with their family, enjoyed boating on the weekends. He was also an amateur magician, performing for the Boy Scouts, Lions Clubs and other service organizations. He played several musical instruments; his favorites were the banjo and guitar. He was issued a life member award for his many years serving as a volunteer with the Kennedyville Fire Department. He also served as commodore of the 5th District U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, and was Flotilla 44's Auxiliarist of the Year in 1969. He was preceded in death by his wife, Louise Cheezum George, in 1994. He is survived by two daughters, Shirley Held of Worton and Lola Price of Still Pond; two brothers, Lloyd George of Easton and Robert George of Cambridge; two sisters, Alice Harrison of Easton and Rosalie Sharp of Rehoboth Beach; six grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren. Services were held in Fellows, Helfenbein and Newnam Funeral Home, Chestertown, with burial private. --------------------------------------------------------------- * Marian W. Hood Retired from Milford School District Marian W. Hood, 84, of Milford, and formerly of Harrington, died Monday, Feb. 17, 2003, in Bayhealth-Milford Memorial Hospital, Milford. Mrs. Hood was a housewife and had been employed with the Milford School District in its food service program, from which she retired in 1981. She was a longtime active member of the Houston United Methodist Church. She was preceded in death by her husband, Vernon P. Hood; a sister and a brother. She is survived by six daughters and five sons-in-law, Verna Jean and Harvey Cannon, Phyllis and Bill Fisher, Delores and Bill Schuler, Marian and Gary Brown, all of Milford, Alice and Henry Wilson of Lewes and Brenda Hood of Seaford; two sons and a daughter-in-law, Vernon J. and Jana Hood and Richard Hood, all of Milford; a sister and brother-in-law, Doris and Leon Carlisle of Felton; a brother, Leon Watson of Greenwood; 12 grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren. Services were held in Rogers Funeral Home, Milford, with burial in Midway Presbyterian Cemetery, Lewes. Contributions are suggested to the Houston United Methodist Church Building Fund, P.O. Box 43, Houston, DE 19956. ---------------------------------------------------------------