Sussex County, Delaware - Obits: from The Cape Gazette
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2/4/03

Dr. Joseph J. Suozzi,
retired from AT&T
Dr. Joseph J. Suozzi, 76, of Bethany Beach and formerly of Convent Station, N.J., died Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2003, of complications of surgery at Providence Hospital in Washington, D.C.
Dr. Suozzi was a retired director of the Electronics Power Systems Laboratory at AT&T Bell Laboratories and a veteran of World War II, serving in the U.S. Navy.
He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Angeline Suozzi; and was the best father in the world to his five daughters, Patricia Suozzi, Donna Tanguay, Gina Suozzi, Veronica Suozzi and Paula Suozzi. He was the beloved Pop-Pop to his six grandchildren, Devin and Callan Suozzi-Rearic, Max and Isabel Haber, Dean Suozzi-Auberry and Dorothea West. He is also survived by his brother and sister, Mike Suozzi and Rose Buffa.
A mass of Christian burial was held at St. Ann's Catholic Church, Bethany Beach, with burial in the Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemtery South, Millsboro.
Contributions are suggested to the Delaware Hospice, Southern Division, 600 N. Dupont Highway, Georgetown, DE 19947, or to St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital Memorial and Honor Program, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.
Arrangements by Melson Funeral Services, Ocean View.
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Tommy R. Huss Jr.,
Vietnam veteran
Tommy R. Huss Jr., 48, of Longneck and formerly of Lincolnton, N.C., died Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2003, from injuries sustained in an auto accident.
Mr. Huss was a truck driver for Thoro-Good Concrete Company of Millsboro and a Vietnam War veteran, serving in the U.S. Army.
He is survived by his wife, Linda B. Huss; a son, Joshua Brandon Huss of Millsboro; a daughter, Ashley Rae Huss, at home; his parents, Tommy R. and Beverly Huss; a brother, Frank Huss, two sisters, Lynn Milton and Melissa Humphries, all of North Carolina; and two granddaughters, Kayla Maree and Emma Belle.
Services were held from the Long Neck Chapel of Melson Funeral Services, with burial in Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemetery South, Millsboro.
Contributions are suggested to Special Olympics, University of Delaware, Newark DE 19716-1901.
Arrangements by Melson Funeral Services, Long Neck.
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2/5/03

Anita Creasy,
VFW, Legion auxiliary member
Anita Creasy, 85, of Lewes, died Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2003, at Beebe Medical Center in Lewes.
Mrs. Creasy was a homemaker. She was a member of the Ladies Auxiliary of the VFW and the American Legion.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Edwin Creasy, in 1999.
She is survived by two sons, Larry Creasy of Narvon, Pa., and Richard Creasy of Lewes; a brother, Robert Dix of Milton; six grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.
Services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 8, at Parsell Funeral Homes & Crematorium, Atkins-Lodge Chapel, Lewes, with burial private at Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemetery South, Millsboro.
Arrangements by Parsell Funeral Homes & Crematorium, Lewes.
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Joan E. Mercier,
Legion auxiliary member
Joan E. Mercier, 70, of Lewes, died Thursday, Jan. 30, 2003, at Harbor Healthcare & Rehabilitation Center in Lewes.
Mrs. Mercier was a homemaker and a member of American Legion Post 17 Auxiliary.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Richard G. Mercier in 1998.
She is survived by her son, William Kolb, of Sterling, Va.; a sister, Gertrude Manoliades of Silver Spring, Md.; and a grandson, Paul William Kolb of Sterling, Va.
Graveside services will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 11, at Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Va.
Arrangements by Parsell Funeral Homes & Crematorium, Lewes.
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Rose C. Hess,
active in church
Rose C. Hess, 81, of Lewes, died Thursday, Jan. 30, 2003, at Harbor Healthcare & Rehabilitation Center, Lewes.
Mrs. Hess was a homemaker. She was a member of St. Peter's Episcopal Church in Lewes, and the Ladies Community Association.
She is survived by her husband Roy G. Hess of Lewes; a daughter, Rosemarie Spidle and her husband John; and a son, Ed Butt, all of Lancaster, Pa.; a stepson, Gary Hess of Englewood, Colo.; a brother-in-law, Paul Hess of New York State; seven grandchildren; and 14 great-grandchildren.
Services were private at Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemetery South, Millsboro.
Arrangements by Parsell Funeral Homes & Crematorium, Lewes.
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Pauline H. Harding,
retired teacher's aide
Pauline H. Harding, 85, of Earleville, died Saturday, Feb. 1, 2003, at home.
Mrs. Harding was a retired teacher's aide, spending 17 years with Cecil County public schools. She also drove a school bus for several years.
She was past president of Gold Finger Garden Club. She was a line dancer for the Middletown-Odessa-Townsend Senior Center in Middletown, and was very active with Lower Cecil County Senior Center, where she enjoyed arranging bus trips and helping prepare their Tuesday meeting meal. She was very active during her late husband's tenure with the Cecilton Lions Club, traveling throughout District 22B and internationally.
She was preceded in death by her husband, George R. Harding Sr. in 1996.
She is survived by two sons, George R. Jr. of Wilmington and William E. Harding of Ventnor, N.J.; a sister, Agnes Nero of Rehoboth Beach; a brother, Frederick Gadow of Preston; seven grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.
Services will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 6, in Fellows, Helfenbein & Newman Funeral Home, Cecilton, Md., with burial in Zion Cemetery, Cecilton.
Contributions are suggested to Mount Olivet United Methodist Church, c/o Fellows, Helfenbein and Newnam Funeral Home, P.O. Box 342, Cecilton MD 21913.
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2/6/03

Dorothy V. Evans
retired courthouse employee
Dorothy C. Evans, 90, of Ocean View, died at her home Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2003.
She was born in Brooklyn, N.Y., the daughter of the late Maria Rosalia Schwarz and William Karl Doderer. She was a homemaker and worked in the Court of Common Pleas presentence office at Sussex County Courthouse. She was also a concert violinist who played at Carnegie Hall at age 5. Mrs. Evans was a 56-year member of the Ocean View Church of Christ and a member of the Order of the Eastern Star Frankford chapter 12.
She was predeceased by her husband, Capt. Louis B. Evans; her daughter, Peggy Ann Wilgus; her sister, Maria Carolina Doderer; and her grandson, Glenn Murray. She is survived by three daughters and sons-in-law: Mary Lou and Herb Murray, Norma Lee and Bill Wingate, and Betty Jane and George Keen; seven grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be at noon, Saturday, Feb. 8, at the Ocean View Church of Christ, where friends may call after 11 a.m. Interment will be in the Mariner's Bethel Cemetery in Ocean View.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to Delaware Hospice, Southern Division, 600 DuPont Highway, Georgetown, DE 19947. Funeral arrangements by Melson Funeral Services in Ocean View.
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Jessica Darlene Jewett,
beloved daughter
Jessica Darlene Jewett, 21, of Georgetown, died suddenly Sunday, Feb. 2, 2003.
She is survived by her loving parents, Bob and Kelly Jewett; her brothers, Bob, Aubrey, Moss, Shay and Jimmy; a sister, Sarah; her birth mother, Kelly Springer; her grandparents, Cmdr. and Mrs. John Springer; and many nieces and nephews.
A celebration of her life will be held from 1 to 4 p.m., Sunday, Feb. 9, at her parents home, 23 Snow Road, Georgetown. Contributions are suggested to the Friends of the SPCA, Sussex Chapter, P.O. Box 885, Rehoboth DE 19971. Arrangements were made by Melson Funeral Services, Long Neck.
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James Howard Whaley,
retired farmer
James Howard "Jim" Whaley, 75, of Cambridge, Md., and formerly of Peppers Corner near Millville, died of respiratory failure Thursday, Jan. 30, 2003, at Mallard Bay Rehabilitation Center.
Mr. Whaley attended Gumfarm School in Showell, quitting school in the sixth grade to work the fields to help provide for his siblings. He farmed for the late Joseph West and then for Raymond Bank until he retired in 1991. He enjoyed boxing, pitching horseshoes, wrestling and baseball.
He attended the Temple of Deliverance in Cambridge, with is daughter, Sheila Whaley.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 39 years, Anna Bell Smullen Whaley, in 1990; a daughter, Grace Milbourne; a son-in-law, Donald Williams; three grandchildren, Todd and Shannon Whaley and Jaquan Stanley; and five brothers, Charles, John, Clarence, Andrew and Jessie Whaley.
In addition to his daughter, he is survived by 10 sons, James of Whaleyville, Carl of Salisbury, Md., Carlton of Campbelltown, Md., Monzie of Fruitland, Md., Robert of Selbyville, Thomas of Millsboro, Sherron of Rehoboth Beach, Angelo, Howard and Thornton Whaley, all of Georgetown; seven daughters, Joann Williams, Patricia Kasinath and Felicia Sheppard, all of Seaford, Heidi Brown of Millville, Stephanie Whaley of Rehoboth Beach, Tina Whaley of Georgetown and Sheila Whaley of Cambridge; three daughters-in-law, Evelyn Whaley of Whaleyville, Ann Whaley of Georgetown and Eleanor Whaley of Rehoboth Beach; three sons-in-law, Charles Kasinath and Gerald Sheppard, both of Seaford, and Noah Brown of Millville; four brothers, Preston, William, Norwood and Paul Whaley, all of Berlin, Md.; three sisters, Elizabeth Lennard and Emma Foreman, both of Berlin, and Betty Johnson of Dover; five sisters-in-law, Glendola, Catherine, Ethel and Mary Whaley, all of Berlin, and Helen Harmon of Vienna, Md.; a brother-in-law, Orville Smullen of Seattle, Wa.; two half-brothers, Alton Moore of Bishop, Md. and Thornton Showell of Rochester, N.Y.; three half-sisters, Nancy Benson of Sicklerville, N.J., Peggy Johnson of Campbelltown and Frances Williams of Bishop; an uncle, Lee Mumford of Bishop, his stepmother, Beatrice Mumford of Berlin; 87 grandchildren; and many great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Services will be held at 1 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 8, in Jesus Is Lord Church of Deliverance, Georgetown, where friends may call at 11 a.m. Burial will be in Union Wesley United Methodist Cemetery, Clarksville.
Arrangements were made by Young's Funeral Home, Seaford.
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Tamara Tanisha Johnson,
Comcast Cable employee
Tamara Tanisha Johnson, 26, of Wilmington, died suddenly of heart failure Thursday, Jan. 30, 2003.
Mrs. Johnson was a 1994 graduate of Cape Henlopen High School, Lewes, where she was active in the band and enjoyed playing the flute. Her hobbies including singing and going to church with her father to Faith, Hope and Love Christian Fellowship in Milford. She was a 1999 graduate of Delaware State University, Dover, where she received a B.S. in business administration. She was employed by Comcast Cable in New Castle.
She is survived by a son, DaVonte Deshon Johnson; her parents, Charles Johnson Sr. of Lincoln and Polly Johnson of Murfreesboro, Tenn.; a special friend, Yvonne Johnson of Millsboro; a brother, Charles Johnson Jr. of Murfreesboro; paternal grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Leroy Harris Sr. of Ridgely, Md.; her grandfather, Clifton Jackson of Bridgeville; godparents Mr. and Mrs. Ronald Scott Sr. of Ellendale; devoted friends Sheryl Kearney of Norristown, Pa. and Felicia Dorman of Millsboro; and a host of nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.
Services will be held at 1 p.m., Friday, Feb. 7, at Faith, Hope and Love Christian Fellowship, 218 N. Rehoboth Blvd., Milford, with burial in Odd Fellows Cemetery, Milford. Arrangements were made by Bennie Smith Funeral Home, Milford.
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2/7/03

Eunice S. Royce,
former business owner
Eunice S. Royce, age 87, of Rehoboth Beach, died Thursday, Feb. 6, 2003, at Christiana Care Medical Center in Newark, after a long illness. She made a career as a loving wife and mother while working alongside her husband in the businesses they owned, which included Royce’s Restaurant, a Montgomery Ward franchise and Royce’s Mini Mall. She retired in 2002. She was a lifetime member of the Order of the Eastern Star.
She was preceded in death by her parents, John and Hattie Stockley; a sister, Margaret Shockley; and her husband of 45 years, Charles D. Royce.
She is survived by two daughters and sons-in-law, Joy R. and Rancel Evans Sr., and Gail R. and Randy Sturdavant; five grandchildren, Marsha Medford, Kimberly Melson, Rancel Evans Jr., Renee Sturdavant and Dorinda Jones; three great-grandsons; a brother, William Stockley; and three loving nieces.
A funeral service will be held at 1 p.m., Monday, Feb. 10, at the chapel of Melson Funeral Services on Long Neck Road, where friends may call 4-6 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 9. Brial will be in Epworth United Methodist Cemetery in Rehoboth Beach.
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Virginia M. “Ginny” Johnson,
Retired dietary supervisor
Virginia M. “Ginny” Johnson of Seaford died of a heart attack Sunday, Feb. 2, 2003, in Nanticoke Memorial Hospital in Seaford. She was 70.
She was born April 1, 1932, in Bridgeville, the daughter of the late Leon Cannon and Frances W. Nichols-Purnell. She received her formal education in the Seaford School District.
She married Charles H. Johnson Sr. on May 12, 1959. They became the proud parents of six children.
In her younger years, she became employed by Nanticoke Memorial Hospital, where she served in the capacity of dietary supervisor for 27 years before she retired in 1986.
She was a woman full of love and had a genuine concern for the family. She always did what she could to make sure her family was taken care of in every way, neglecting her own needs.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband in 1982; a son, Dennis T. Johnson; and four brothers, James Purnell, Robert Nichols, Harris Cannon and Nathaniel Cannon.
She is survived by three daughters and two sons-in-law, Gilda Nichols-Pinckens and Marion Pinckens of Bridgeville, Peggy F. Nichols of Salisbury, and Darlene E. and Michael Thompson of Seaford; two sons and two daughters-in-law, Oliver G. and Barbara Nichols and Charles H. Johnson Jr. and Stephanie Johnson, all of Salisbury; five brothers and four sisters-in-law, Elmer Purnell Jr. and Loretta Purnell, Edward and Barbara Purnell and Cleon Cannon, all of Seaford, and Wilson and Betty Ann Purnell and William L. and Ethel Purnell, all of Bridgeville; eight sisters and six brothers-in-law, Lucretia Richards, Gwendolyn and Robert Hammond, Esther and Walter Pinider and Gloria and Victor Epps, all of Seaford, Betty and Wayne Wilson of Cambridge, Md., Phyllis Jackson and Edith and James Heath, all of Sicklerville, N.J., and Diane and Wayne Morris of Lewes; 24 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; three great-great-grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Friends may call from 6-8 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 8, in the Citadel of Hope Deliverance Ministries, formerly the Cathedral of Faith Church, Concord Road, Seaford.
Services will be at 2 p.m., Sunday, Feb. 9, at the church. Arrangements by Bennie Smith Funeral Home, Seaford.
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Mary E. Kaczmarcyk,
owned Penny Hill Deli
Mary E. Kaczmarcyk, 75 of Hockessin, died Feb. 3, 2003, in the Christiana Hospital.
She worked at the Penny Hill Deli for 35 years and owned and operated the deli for 20 years, retiring in 1993. She was a graduate of St. Elizabeth High School and enjoyed spending time with her family, especially her granddaughters and great granddaughter, and time at the beach.
She is survived by her son, Henry E. Kaczmarcyk and his wife, Sandy, of Hockessin; her brother, James r. O’Connor and his wife, Shirley, of Lewes; her granddaughters, Jennifer Grunza and her husband, Michael; Heather Kaczmarcyk and Holly Simpson and her husband, James; and her great granddaughter, Madelyn Grunza.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend the Mass of Christian Burial at 11 a.m. on Friday, Feb. 7, at St. Catherine of Siena Church, 2503 Centerville Road, Wilmington. Entombment will be in Silverbrook Cemetery, Lancaster Ave. & Dupont Street. Friends may call at the Doherty Funeral Home, 3200 Limestone Road, Pike Creek 9:30-10:30 a.m. on Friday, Feb. 7.
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2/10/03

Glenn Albert Mitchell,
co-owner of Naomi's Market
Glenn Albert Mitchell, 81, of Georgetown, died Wednesday, Feb. 5. 2003, at Beebe Medical Center.
Mr. Mitchell was a truck driver for Layton & Layton, Georgetown, for 17 years and retired from Draper King Cole, Milton. He was also co-owner of Naomi's Market, Georgetown, until 1991.
He was a veteran of World War II, serving in the U.S. Army. He was a member of the Georgetown American Legion.
He was preceded in death by a son, Jerry Mitchell.
He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Naomi Pettyjohn Mitchell; two sons, Wayne Sr. and Linden P., both of Georgetown; a daughter, Glenda Kay Mitchell of Georgetown; two grandchildren, Wayne Mitchell Jr. and Theresa Mitchell; and a great-granddaughter, Cathy Mitchell Smith.
Services were held at Short Funeral Services, Georgetown, with burial in Union Cemetery, Georgetown.
Contributions are suggested to Easter Seals, 600 N. DuPont Highway, Suite 10, Georgetown, DE 19947.
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Ronald J. Kaier,
retired from DuPont
Ronald J. Kaier, 71, of Wilmington, died peacefully after a sudden illness, Tuesday, Feb. 5, 2003, at Christiana Hospital, surrounded by his family.
Mr. Kaier was a 1953 graduate of Syracuse University. He received his master's degree in chemistry from the University of Delaware in 1958. He began working for DuPont after his graduation from Syracuse. He was employed as an analytical chemist until his retirement in June 2001.
He was a lifelong member of the American Chemical Society. As an active member of the Claymont Lion's Club, he was involved in the Lion's Vision Screening for children. He also volunteered as a driver and deliverer for Meals on Wheels of Delaware. He spent the last 35 summers at the family home in Ocean City, N.J.
He is survived by his wife of 43 years, Geri A. Kaier; son, Michael J. Kaier and his wife Patricia of Middletown; and a daughter, Stephanie Kaier DeWitt, her husband Rick and their daughter, Natalie Beth of Lewes.
A mass of Christian burial was offered at St. Helena's Church, Wilmington, with a private entombment in All Saints Cemetery.
Contributions are suggested to Catholic charitable organizations or Meals on Wheels of Delaware.
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David Russell Blackburn,
carpenter
David Russell Blackburn, 39, of Bluffton, S.C., formerly of Avondale, Pa., died Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2003, at the University Hospital, Charleston, S.C.
Mr. Blackburn was born in Wilmington, the son of the late James R. and Barbara McMillan Blackburn. He was a lifelong resident of Avondale, Pa., prior to moving to South Carolina in 1998. He was a carpenter by trade and enjoyed hunting and fishing.
He is survived by three sons, David C., Matthew J. and Daniel Blackburn, all of Elkton, Md.; three brothers, Martin E. of Rehoboth, James S. of Cherry Hill, Md. and Robert D. of Landenberg, Pa.; five sisters, Colleen Dove of Tucson, Ariz., Shirley Blackburn of Glasgow, Diane Stout of Linwood, Pa., Lois Robinson of Newark and Jennifer Blackburn of Landenberg, Pa.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a sister, Peggy Blackburn.
Services will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 11, at the Cleveland & Gofus Funeral Home, Avondale, Pa., with burial in Union Hill Cemetery, Kennett Square, Pa.
Contributions are suggested to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Greater Delaware Valley, 1 Reed Street, Suite 200, Philadelphia, PA 19147.
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2/11/03

Genevieve W. Wells,
Rehoboth seamstress
Genevieve W. Wells, 86, of Rehoboth Beach, died Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2003, in Lewes Convalescent Center.
Mrs. Wells was a seamstress in the Rehoboth area for many years.
She was preceded in death by two children, Joanne Wells and William Wells.
She is survived by her husband, Melville M. Wells Jr.; her son, Melville M. III of Newark; six grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.
Services and burial were private.
Contributions are suggested to the Alzheimer's Association, 2306 Kirkwood Highway, Wilmington, DE 19805.
Arrangements by Parsell Funeral Homes & Crematorium, Lewes.
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Veronica T. "Ronnie" Coleman,
retired teacher
Veronica T. "Ronnie" Coleman, 75, of Dover, died Saturday, Feb. 8, 2003, of natural causes in Bayhealth Medical Center-Kent General Hospital, Dover.
Mrs. Coleman was born in New Jersey. She and her family moved from Kenilworth, N.J. to Dover in 1963. She had served as an elementary school teacher at Holy Cross School until her retirement in 1983. In her private time, she was an avid reader and enjoyed cooking and gardening. She was a dedicated and loving wife, other and grandmother and will be remembered as a champion of the elderly and those who were less fortunate. She will be sadly missed.
Mrs. Coleman was a member of the Confraternity of Christian Doctrine and had been a longtime instructor at Holy Cross. She also had served as Eucharistic minister and had tended to the needs of the infirm and the elderly. She was a volunteer for the Blood Bank of Delaware, and for Mom's House and had served on the board of directors of St. Thomas More Academy.
She is survived by her husband of 51 years, William L. Coleman of Dover; three daughters and sons-in-law, Alicia and Craig Parson of Lawrenceville, N.J., Marianne and Mark Letavish of Bel Air, Md., and Katie and Mick Soyka of Rehoboth Beach; a sister, Mary Coleman of North Arlington, N.J.; and five grandchildren, Elise Letavish, Tim Letavish and Sean Letavish, all of Bel Air, and Michael and Ben Soyka, both of Rehoboth Beach.
Services were held in Holy Cross Church, Dover, with burial in Holy Cross Cemetery, Dover.
Contributions are suggested to Mom's House, P.O. Box, 1138, Dover, DE 19903.
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Ethel M. Sears Hill,
worked in childcare
Ethel M. Sears Hill, 55, of Georgetown, died Thursday, Feb. 6, 2003, after a short illness in Seaford Center, Seaford.
Mrs. Hill was born in Camden, N.C., the daughter of Cleveland Walston of Camden and Minnie Sears Sample of Millsboro.
She had been a self-employed childcare worker. She attended St. John's AME Church in Laurel and Missionary Baptist Church in Georgetown.
In addition to her parents, she is survived by her husband of 18 years, Ronald Hill; two brothers, Eddie Sears of Germany and Raymond Sears of Newark; two sisters, Brenda Garcia of Newport News, Va. and Carolyn Sample of Rehoboth Beach; and a special friend Betty Smith of Georgetown.
Services will be held at 1 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 12, at Missionary Baptist Church, Georgetown, with burial in Zoar Golden Acres Cemetery, Selbyville.
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Virginia Louise Berger,
school cafeteria manager
Virginia Louise Berger, 93, of Gordon Heights, died Thursday, Feb. 6, 2003, in the Hospice House, Cape Coral, Fla.
Mrs. Berger retired from the River Road Elementary School where she was a cafeteria manager. She was also a member of Hillcrest-Bellefonte United Methodist Church.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Victor H. Berger, in 1948.
She is survived by four children, Victor H. Jr. of Ocala, Fla., William C. Berger and Forrest S. Berger, both of Wilmington, and Virginia Lee Berger of Fort Myers, Fla.; a brother, Edgar V. Adkins of Lewes; a sister, Lucy N. Pastorfield of Salisbury, Md.; seven grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and her good friend and caregiver, Cheryl Brown.
Services will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 12, in Hillcrest-Bellefonte United Methodist Church, Wilmington, with burial private.
Contributions are suggested to Hospice House, 24300 Diplomat Parkway, Cape Coral, FL 33904.
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William D. Blain Jr.,
Lewes infant
William D. Blain Jr., the beloved son of William D. Blain Sr. and Trina Kahn Blain of Lewes; passed away Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2003, in Wilmington Hospital. He was six weeks old.
Besides his loving parents, he is survived by his big sister Samantha; paternal grandparents Larry L. and Mary J. Blain of Oak Orchard; maternal grandparents Fred and Robian Kahn of Wilmington; a maternal great-grandmother, Jane McComas of Newark; and many aunts, uncles and cousins.
A graveside service was held in Gracelawn Cemetery.
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Mildred Hague Lacklen,
retired sales associate
Mildred Hague Lacklen, 95, of Talleyville, died Friday, Feb. 7, 2003.
Mrs. Lacklen was born in Wilmington. Many years ago she was a Color Sergeant in the First State All Girls Drum & Bugle Corps. From 1954 to 1971, she was a sales lady in the children's department of the John Wannamaker department store on the Augustine Cutoff. She enjoyed gardening and woodworking.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Albert H. Lacklen; three sisters, Bessie Hague, Marie Hague and Frances Hague; and two brothers, William A. Jr. and John R. Hague.
She is survived by two brothers, Lewis H. Hague of Woodstock, Ill. and Arthur W. "Otts" Hague of Talleyville; and two sisters, Ethel Thompson of Wilmington and Marjorie Seal of Milton.
Services will be held at 1 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 11, at McCrery Memorial Funeral Home, Talleyville, with burial in Gracelawn Memorial Park.
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Irene E. Marvel,
retired postal clerk
Irene E. Marvel, 82, died Saturday, Feb. 8, 2002, of natural causes at the Milford Bayhealth Center.
Mrs. Marvel was born April 21, 1920 to Sirman Elliott and Emma Boyce Elliott in Laurel. She worked as a postal clerk in the Laurel Post Office until her retirement in 1972. She also played the organ for Christ Methodist Church in Laurel and played for many weddings.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Walter T. Marvel Sr.
She is survived by a son, Walter T. Marvel Jr. and his wife Fay; a daughter Margaret and her husband Howard James; a sister, Mary Ellen Waller of Rochester, N.Y.; five grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren.
Services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 15, at Cokesbury Church, Georgetown, with burial in Cokesbury Cemetery.
Contributions are suggested to a charity of choice.
Arrangements by Parsell Funeral Homes & Crematorium, Bridgeville.
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2/13/03

Gladys I. Schrimsher,
former S&S Market owner
Gladys I. Schrimsher, 79, of Rehoboth Beach, died Monday, Feb. 10, 2002, at Beebe Medical Center, with her daughter and son, Lauri and Scotty, by her side.
Mrs. Schrimsher owned and operated the S&S Market, currently the site of the Crystal Restaurant, in Rehoboth Beach, along with her husband during the 1960s and early 1970s. After selling the business, she worked at Flo-Ed Fashions and Treasure Island Fashions. She was known as a loving, kind, funny and generous person and will be sadly missed by many.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Robert R. and son, Frank L. Schrimsher.
She is survived by her son, Scotty Hayden of Florida; two daughters, Lauri "Missi" Kreis of Rehoboth Beach and Bonnie Hayden of Lewes; a brother, Charles Scott and his wife Mildred of Millsboro; a stepson Ralph Schrimsher and his wife Janie of Tennessee; six grandchildren, Taylor, Scott and Cory Kreis, Rob Wolhar, Ric Hackett and Terry Freels; and three great-grandchildren.
A memorial service for Mrs. Schrimsher and her son, Frank, who died suddenly Nov. 15, 2002, will be held at 2 p.m., Wednesday, Feb. 19, at Parsell Funeral Homes & Crematorium, Atkins-Lodge Chapel, Kings Highway, Lewes. Condolences may be sent to CrimJmom@aol.com.
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Wilbur R. Rodgers,
former Safeway manager
Wilbur R. "Hookie" Rodgers, 88, of Rehoboth Beach and formerly of University Park, Md., died Monday, Feb. 10, 2003, at home.
Mr. Rodgers was born in Washington, D.C., the son of the late Norman C. Rodgers and Antionette Rodgers. He was the last survivor of seven children. He was a resident of Sussex County for 23 years.
Mr. Rodgers served in the U.S. Air Force for four years during WWII from 1942 to 1946. He was a baker and had his own bake shop, while his last employment was with Safeway in Washington, D.C., from which he retired as manager in 1977.
He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Patricia; three children, Barbara L. Clark of Fort Washington, Md., Vera K. O'Boyle of Waldorf, Md. and Richard J. Popp of Fort Washington, Md.; five grandchildren, Michael R. Clark, Corbett R. Clark, Steven G. Clark, Frank Beck and Teri Servetnick; and five great-grandchildren, Terra Row, Ian Clark, Hannah Keith, Alex Servetnick and Candace Servetnick.
Services will be held at 2 p.m., Friday, Feb. 14, at Parsell Funeral Homes & Crematorium, Atkins-Lodge Chapel, Lewes, where friends may call at noon. Burial will be private in Henlopen Memorial Park, Milton.
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B. Helen Patrick,
Millsboro retiree
B. Helen Patrick, 92, of Captains Grant, Millsboro, died Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2003, at Lewes Convalescent Center.
Her husband, Gordon Patrick, died in 1998.
She is survived by two daughters, Anne Lank and Fran Ounan, both of Millsboro; a sister, Pearl Taylor of Ocala, Fla.; two grandchildren, Lynn Azato of Millsboro and Karen Ounan of Rehoboth Beach; and four great-grandchildren, Christine Azato and Stefanie Azato, both of Millsboro, James Azato of Lewes and Jennifer Lank of Aston, Pa. A grandson, Bruce Lank, predeceased her.
A family services was held at Lewes Convalescent Center, with arrangements made by Parsell Funeral Homes & Crematorium, Lewes.
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Helen Juanita Johnson Day,
homecare provider
Helen Juanita Johnson Day, 81, of Lewes, died Friday, Feb. 7, 2003, in Christiana Hospital, Newark.
Mrs. Day was born in the Lewes area in 1921. She was a homecare provider for homebound geriatric patients in the Lewes/Rehoboth Beach area. She was a member of the Nanticoke Indian Association of Oak Orchard, near Millsboro.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Melchia B. Day.
She is survived by two daughters, Lida V. "Jimmy" Seymour of Washington and Rosa Lee "Patty" Johnson of Greenville, S.C.; two sisters, Sarah Patsy Harmon of Gladys Street, both of Lewes; five grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.
Friends may call from 6 to 8 p.m., Friday, in Israel United Methodist Church, Plantation Road, Lewes. Services will be held at noon, Saturday in the church, where friends may also call two hours earlier. The Rev. Timothy Duffield Sr. will officiate. Burial will be in Christ's Church Cemetery, Harbeson.
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Elwood C. Landis,
retired from Kutco Printing
Elwood C. Landis, of Lewes, died Thursday, Feb. 6, 2003, at home. 
Mr. Landis was a 1944 graduate of Palmyra High School. He retired from Kutco Printing in Harrisburg, Pa. in 1991. He was a lifelong member of the VFW, past master of Brownstone Lodge No. 666 AF&AM in Hershey, Pa. and a member of Zembo Temple, Harrisburg, Pa. 
He is survived by his wife, Patricia K. Landis; a sister, Louella Fies of Hershey, Pa.; a son, Charles Landis and his wife Sandy of Roundrock, Texas; two daughters, Patricia Landis and her husband Jesse of Mount Joy, Pa., and Pamela Alger and her husband Ben of Hershey; two stepsons, Lynn Shirey and his wife Beth of Schuykill Haven, Pa. and Steve Shirey of Palmyra and Gail Spitler and her husband Dale of Hershey; 13 grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m., Saturday, Feb. 15, at Gravel Hill United Methodist Church, Palmyra, Pa.
Contributions are suggested to Delaware Hospice, 600 DuPont Highway, Suite 107, Georgetown DE 19947.
Arrangements by Parsell Funeral Homes, Lewes.
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