Kent County, Delaware Obituary Collection (Obits and death notices from Various Funeral Homes in Kent County, Delaware.
Many obituaries from Camden, Dover, Smyrna, and surrounding area.
MICCO, Fla. - Lt. Col. George F. Schmalhofer, Delaware State Police Retired, died Monday 4, 1998, in the Personal Care Home of Barbara Larrabee. He was 79.
Lt. Col. Schmalhofer was a graduate of Hempstead High School, Hempstead, N.Y., in 1937. He also attended various courses at the University of Delaware. He attended many courses in New York, Indiana, and Michigan, and the FBI Academy regarding law enforcement in regards to narcotics, homicide investigation and police supervision.
He served with the U.S. Coast Guard since 1941, specializing in military policy criminal investigation and other counterintelligence programs and was a Det. Commander Retired Reserve.
Lt. Col. Schmalhofer was a member of the Jefferson Lodge No. 15 A.F. & A.M., Lewes; the Delaware Association of Chiefs of Police; past president, Harvard Associates in Police Science-director; Police Chiefs of South Eastern Pennsylvania-director, Delaware Valley; Professional Police Officials-director; life member, International Association Chiefs of Police; Shield & Square Club of Delaware; Past Commodore of the Lewes Yacht Club, Lewes; former member of the Board of Directors and past treasurer of Camp Barnes, Inc.; past president of the Maryland-Delaware Chapter National Academy Association; member of the Security Officers Association, Philadelphia; member of Barefoot Bay Golf Club & Retired Police Association of Barefoot Bay; formerly served as Chairman of the Police Committee, city of Rehoboth Beach. He had an article published in 1964, in the FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin, 'Delaware-Maryland State Police Use Fugitive Search Plan.' This joint venture was suggested by the writer and its implementation was adopted with the cooperation of the Maryland State Police.
His investigatory activities took him over the years to France and Germany, where the examination of an insurance Company was undertaken and resulted in the insurance company being placed in bankruptcy and its Delaware Charter voided. Following this, he was awarded a plaque by the Wilmington Optimist Club for outstanding community service.
He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Elizabeth Lee Thompson Schmalhofer; one daughter, Elizabeth Lee West of Harper's Ferry, W.Va.; one son, George F. Schmalhofer Jr. of San Diego; four grandchildren and one great-grandson.
Service with full state police honors will be at 2 p.m. Monday at Parsell Funeral Home & Crematorium, Atkins-Lodge Chapel, 1449 Kings Highway, Lewes, where friends may call from 7-9 p.m. Sunday. Masonic service will also be at 7:30 p.m. Sunday.
Burial will be in Lewes Presbyterian Cemetery, Kings Highway, Lewes.
Instead of flowers, the family suggests contributions be made to a charity of your choice.
Donita Elizabeth Ross Newlin Cain, 60
MIDDLETOWN - Donita Elizabeth Ross Newlin Cain of Middletown, and formerly of Marydel, died from complications following surgery Thursday, Feb. 26, 1998, in the Christiana Hospital, Newark. She was 60.
Mrs. Cain was a homemaker and had worked for Walker's Grocery Store in Marydel, retiring in 1988.
She enjoyed playing bingo.
Mrs. Cain was a member of the Middletown-Odessa-Townsend Senior Center.
She was preceded in death by her husband, William Cain, in 1985.
She is survived by two daughters, Irene Newlin of Linwood, Pa., and Deborah Dixon of Middletown; two sons, Dale Newlin of Delaware City and Francis Cain of Marcus Hook, Pa.; 10 grandsons; and a granddaughter.
Memorial service will be 8 p.m. Monday at the Daniels and Hutchison Funeral Home, 212 N. Broad St., Middletown, where friends may call one hour prior to the service.
Burial will be private.
Helen Mae Hazel Shahan, 83
DOVER - Helen Mae Hazel Shahan of Dover died of respiratory failure Friday, Feb. 27, 1998, in the Kent General Hospital, Dover. She was 83.
Mrs. Shahan was born in Frederica, the daughter of the late James K. and Julia Hazel.
She was employed by Emmanuel's and J.C. Penney Co., both formerly of downtown Dover. She then worked with Geriatric Services, Dover, for 10 years.
She volunteered at Kent General Hospital for five years in the surgical waiting room.
Mrs. Shahan was a member of the Wesley Uunited Methodist Church in Dover and the Dover Lioness Club.
She is survived by her husband of 64 years, Brady V. Shahan Jr. of Dover; two sons, Donald J. Shahan of Myrtle Beach, S.C., and Jerry High of Salisbury, Md.; a daughter, Beverly Ann Brown of Dover; a brother, James Hazel of Lewes; a niece, Janice Holston of Long Neck; seven grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.
Service will be 2 p.m. Tuesday at the Torbert Funeral Chapel, Reed and Bradford streets, Dover.
Friends may call 7-9 p.m. Monday at the funeral home.
Burial will be in the Odd Fellows Cemetery, Camden.
Instead of flowers, the family suggests contributions be made to the Arthritis Foundation, Delaware Chapter, 222 Philadelphia Pike, Wilmington, DE 19809; to the Delaware Hospice, 911 N. DuPont Highway, Dover, DE 19901; or to the Wesley U.M. Church, 209 S. State St., Dover, DE 19901.
Frances G. Lechner, 87
DOVER - Frances G. Lechner of Dover died of complications from a stroke Friday, Feb. 27, 1998, in Christina Hospital. She was 87.
Mrs. Lechner was born in Philadelphia.
She was a graduate of the Germantown School of Nursing.
Mrs. Lechner was a homemaker in Pennsylvania, then moved to Chicago, and finally to Dover in 1983.
She spent her summers at Ocean City, N.J.
Mrs. Lechner resided with her daughter, Karen Lechner of Dover, and was lovingly watched over and cared for by Dolores Young and Hilda Mosley.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Louis N.J. Lechner, and her beloved mother, Frances Fielemeyer.
She is survived by a son, Louis J. Lechner, and his wife, Joan, of West Chicago; two daughters, Marilyn Shaw, and her husband, Daniel, of Philadelphia, and Karen Lechner of Dover; a brother, Joseph Fielemeyer, and his wife, Ethel; two grandchildren, Karen Forman, and her husband, David, and Jennifer Shaw; a great-granddaughter, Samantha Bristown; six nieces; and three nephews.
Service will be 10 a.m. Tuesday at the William R. Mays Funeral Home, Easton Road and Keswick Avenue, Glenside, Pa.
Instead of flowers, the family suggests a donation to the Compassionate Care Hospice in her name.
Beulah Houston Kulmack, 82
OWENS STATION - Beulah Houston Kulmack of Owens Station died of viral pneumonia Friday, Feb. 27, 1998, in the Milford Memorial Hospital. She was 82.
Mrs. Kulmack was born in Milford, the daughter of the late Philip and Harriett Elizabeth Houston.
She traveled to Israel and extensively in the U.S.
She enjoyed gardening, sewing and flowers.
Mrs. Kulmack was a charter member of the Tressler Mennonite Church, Owens Station, when 16 years old. Later, she was a member of the Bethany Church of the Brethren, Farmington, where she enjoyed the Women's Bible Study in her home and the church quilt-making group.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Frank A. Kulmack; a brother, Stevens W. Houston; and a sister, Elizabeth M. Houston.
She is survived by a daughter, Ellen J. Peterson of Greenwood; a stepdaughter, Peggy Gordon of Wilmington; five sisters, Mary, Elsie and Harriett Houston of Owens Station, Florence H. McKinney of Manheim, Pa., and Margaret H. Fooks of Indianapolis; a brother, Robert B. Houston of Tulsa, Okla.; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Service will be 2 p.m. Tuesday at the Fleischauer Funeral Home, Greenwood, where friends may call one hour prior to the service.
Burial will be in the St. Johnstown Cemetery, Greenwood.
Instead of flowers, the family suggests donations may be made to the Bethany Church of the Brethren, PO Box 245, Farmington, DE 19942, or to the CHEER Home Services, 546 S. Bedford St., Georgetown, DE 19947.
David E. Fox, 40
SMYRNA - David E. Fox of Smyrna died Saturday, Feb. 28, 1998, in Philadelphia. He was 40.
Mr. Fox was born in Dover, son of the late Samuel J. Fox II and Joan and Jack Ewing of Smyrna.
He was a waterman in the Delaware Bay for the last 27 years.
Mr. Fox loved being around the water and playing his guitar.
He was preceded in death by a sister, Wendi Fox Keeler.
He is survived by, in addition to his mother, a daughter, Amy Fox of Smyrna; a brother, Samuel J. Fox, III of Leipsic; a sister, Lisa Naylor-Timmons of Smyrna; several nieces and nephews; and a host of friends who loved him.
Service will be 1 p.m. Wednesday in Farie's Funeral Chapel, 29 S. Main St., Smyrna, where friends may call one hour prior to the service.
Burial will be in Odd Fellows Cemetery, Smyrna.
Marion Louise Brodsky, 73
PLANTATION, Fla. - Marion Louise Brodsky of Plantation died of a massive stroke Thursday, Feb. 26, 1998, in Avenel Nursing Center, Plantation. She was 73.
Mrs. Brodsky was born in Winston-Salem, N.C., daughter of the late Thomas and Hattie McCann Jones.
She attended Catholic grade and high schools in Washington, D.C.
Mrs. Brodsky was a homemaker while in Silver Spring, Md.. In 1969 she moved to Edgewater, Md., where she established Kangaroo Korner Day Care Center which she operated for 10 years. She then worked as a real estate agent in the Annapolis, Md., area, until illness in 1986.
She was a parishoner of St. Marys Catholic Church, Edgewater, Md.; attended St. Gregory's Catholic Church, Plantation; and attended St. Christopher's Catholic Church, Chester, Md.
Mrs. Brodsky, during her six years in Avenel Nursing Center, enjoyed her time with nature and was happiest while feeding the squirrels in the courtyard.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Fred Frank Brodsky of Washington, D.C., in 1989; a daughter, Paula Brodsky Johnson in 1997; a sister, Mary Evelyn Rich in 1994; and a granddaughter, Elisabeth Jeanne McKenney in 1984.
She is survived by a son, Thomas Brodsky of Puyallup, Wash.; two daughters, Angela McKenney of Denton, Md. and Jeanne Brodsky of Pembroke Pines, Fla.; two brothers, Eric Jones of Silver Spring, Md., and Thomas Edward Jones of Rockville, Md.; a sister, Edna Jones McIntosh of Cheverly, Md.; six grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.
Memorial mass will be 10 a.m. Saturday at St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church, Annapolis,
Arrangements by the Fellows, Helfenbein and Newnam Funeral Home, P.A., Chester.
Margaret Mae Witman, 75
MILLSBORO - Margaret Mae Witman of Millsboro died Saturday, Feb. 28, 1998, in Beebe Medical Center, Lewes. She was 75.
Mrs. Witman was born in Harrisburg, Pa., daughter of the late Daniel and Martha Williamson Grissinger.
She was employed as a sales clerk at the Ames in Rehoboth Beach for six years, retiring in 1991.
Mrs. Witman enjoyed reading.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Lester H. St. Clair, in 1950 and by two sons, Dale and James St. Clair.
She is survived by two daughters, Karen King of Linwood, Pa., and Kathleen Elliott of Harrisburg; a son, Lester St. Clair of Millsboro; a sister, Elenor Teter of Millsboro; a brother, Albert Grissinger of Harrisburg; six grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren.
Service will be 11 a.m. Wednesday at the Harbeson Cemetery, U.S. 9, Harbeson.
Friends may call from 7-9 p.m. Tuesday at Short Funeral Services, Federal Street, Milton.
Beulah Houston Kulmack, 82
OWENS STATION - Beulah Houston Kulmack of Owens Station died of viral pneumonia Friday, Feb. 27, 1998, in Milford Memorial Hospital. She was 82.
Mrs. Kulmack was born in Milford, the daughter of the late Philip and Harriett Elizabeth Houston.
She traveled to Israel and extensively in the United States.
She enjoyed gardening, sewing and flowers.
Mrs. Kulmack was a charter member of the Tressler Mennonite Church, Owens Station, when 16 years old. Later, she was a member of the Bethany Church of the Brethren, Farmington, where she enjoyed the Women's Bible Study in her home and the church quilt-making group.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Frank A. Kulmack; a brother, Owens W. Houston; and a sister, Elizabeth M. Houston.
She is survived by a daughter, Ellen J. Peterson of Greenwood; a stepdaughter, Peggy Gordon of Wilmington; five sisters, Mary, Elsie and Harriett Houston of Owens Station, Florence H. McKinney of Manheim, Pa., and Margaret H. Fooks of Indianapolis; a brother, Robert B. Houston of Tulsa, Okla.; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Service will be 2 p.m. Tuesday at Fleischauer Funeral Home, Greenwood, where friends may call one hour prior to the service.
Burial will be in the St. Johnstown Cemetery, Greenwood.
Instead of flowers, the family suggests donations may be made to the Bethany Church of the Brethren, PO Box 245, Farmington, DE 19942, or to the CHEER Home Services, 546 S. Bedford St., Georgetown, DE 19947.
Charlotte Anderson Barrett, 90
SMYRNA - Charlotte Anderson Barrett of Smyrna died Monday, May 4, 1998, in the Integrated Health Services Facility. She was 90.
Mrs. Barrett was born in 1907, in Smyrna, the daughter of the late Florence and George Anderson.
She was known by many as 'Aunt Charlotte.' She accepted Christ and joined Bethel A.M.E. Church at an early age. She served her church faithfully until her health prevented her from being active. She was a past member of the Bethel Trustee Board; the Lookout Club and served as treasurer of the Union Cemetery Society. She loved her church and worked for many years in numerous ways to help support the activities of her beloved Bethel.
She was preceded in death by her husband, William Howard Barrett in 1988.
She is survived by three grandchildren, Valerie Hazelton Gregory and her husband, Carlton Gregory, Ralph 'Rusty' Hazelton and his wife Vivian Hazelton and Ronald Hazelton; two great-granddaughters, Jewel Ashley and Jasmine Hazelton Gregory; daughter-in-law, Anne Hazelton; her devoted friend and cousin, Lola Swiggett and her good friend, Louise Potts; nieces and nephews, Gladys Smith, Hiram Brown, Emma Simmons, Roselyn Harvey, Clarence Harvey, Naomi Griffin and Evelyn Harvey, and a host of great-nieces and nephews, and caring friends.
Service will be at noon Saturday at Bethal A.M.E. Church, where the Rev. Walter E. Dixon will officiate.
Friends may call at the church two hours prior to the service.
Burial will be in the Mt. Friendship A.M.E. Church Cemetery, Friendship.
