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.
VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. - Neal C. Allard of Virginia Beach, formerly of Dover, Del., died of a heart attack Monday, April 20, 1998 in his home. He was 67.
Mr. Allard was born in Chesapeake Beach, the son of the late Howard and Lena Carver Allard.
He served in the U. S. Marine Corps from 1947 until 1952. He was employed with the 3M company for over 30 years, where he served as a district sales manager, retiring in 1995.
He is survived by two daughters, E. Christine Allard and Kathy Wyatt, both of Dover; and three grandchildren.
Service will be at 4 p.m. Sunday at the Funeral Home of Michael J. Ambruso, 1175 State Street, Dover.
Burial will be private.
The family suggests contributions be made in his memory to the American Heart Association, 625 S. State St., Dover, DE 19901.
William Hillard Hearin, 67
MAGNOLIA - William Hillard Hearin of Magnolia died Thursday, April 23, 1998, in Kent General Hospital. He was 67.
Mr. Hearin was born in Kissimmee, Fla., the son of the late William Walter and Effie Paige Hearin.
He was a graduate of Delaware State College, class of 1978.
Mr. Hearin served in the U.S. Air Force for 28 years and retired in 1975 as a master sergeant. He was in World War II, the Korean conflict and the Vietnam era.
He worked for the State of Delaware at Delaware Correctional Center as a trades instructor, retiring in 1996.
Mr. Hearin was a member of the V.F.W. in Camden, the American Legion in Ohio and Camden-Wyoming Moose Lodge 203.
He enjoyed hunting, fishing and playing cards in his spare time.
He is survived by his wife, Jean Patterson Hearin of Magnolia; a son and a daughter-in-law, Barry and Lisa Hearin of Felton; two daughters and sons-in-law, Dale and Larry Rife of Wyoming and Jeanne and Mike Rash of Woodside; five grandchildren, Stacy and Jason Rash of Woodside, Jennifer Hearin of Baltimore, Tiffany Rife of Wyoming and Stephanie Hearin of Felton; and a brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Charles and Mary Patterson of Lincoln.
Service will be at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at the Trader Funeral Home, 12 Lotus Street, Dover, where friends may call from 7-9 p.m. Monday.
Burial will be at noon at the Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Bear.
Phillip C. Evans, 18
WYOMING - Phillip C. Evans of Wyoming died from injuries sustained in an auto accident Thursday, April 23, 1998. He was 18.
Phillip was a senior at Caesar Rodney High School, Camden.
He enjoyed weightlifting, video games and, especially, music and playing his guitar.
He is survived by his parents, Charles F. and Karen Evans of Wyoming; two sisters, Tosha Evans and Crystal Evans, both of Wyoming; a niece, Christina Evans of Wyoming; paternal grandparents, Charles F. Evans Sr. and Eva Mae Evans of Wyoming; maternal grandmother, Audrey Evans of Wyoming; his girlfriend, Melissa Smith of Dover; and numerous uncles, aunts, classmates and friends.
Service will be at 3 p.m. Tuesday at the Pippin Funeral Home, 119 West-Camden-Wyoming Avenue, Wyoming, where friends may call from 6-9 p.m. Monday.
Burial will be in Mount Olive Cemetery, Sandtown.
Instead of flowers, the family requests contributions be made to the Melissa Smith Medical Expense Fund, c/o 119 W. Camden-Wyoming Avenue, Wyoming, DE 19934.
Harvey P. Fifer, 83
DOVER - Harvey P. Fifer of Dover died Friday, April 24, 1998, in the Westminster Health Center. He was 83.
Mr. Fifer was born April 30, 1914, in Rehobeth, Md., the son of the late Charles Frederick Fifer and Mary M. Showalter Fifer.
He was a graduate of Caesar Rodney High School, class of 1933. Following his graduation, the prominent Kent County farmer began fruit and vegetable farming with his father and brother. He later formed a partnership with his son, H. Parker Fifer, and son-in-law, Bruce R. Walton.
Mr. Fifer was a member of the House of Representatives for Delaware from 1959-1964. He was a charter member and past president of thr Camden-Wyoming Lions Club; served as a director of the Delaware Production Credit and Federal Land Bank Board; also served on the Dover Southern States Cooperative Board; and was a Kent County Farm Bureau member. He was a faithful member of the Wyoming United Methodist Church, , where he served as a trustee, until his illness.
He was a devoted husband, father and grandfather. He enjoyed his roses, gardening and landscaping. He was an avid carom player.
The town of Wyoming has enjoyed the carillon given by Mr. Fifer in memory of his beloved daughter, Carol Lee Stewart. He was also preceded in death by three brothers, Dr. Jeffe S. Fifer, Dr. Carson L. Fifer and C. Fred Fifer II; and two sisters, Fleta M. Bennett and Virginia Wampler.
He is survived by his loving wife of 64 years, Clara C. Fifer of Dover; three daughters, Patricia F. Walton of Magnolia, Yvonne F. Williams and Margaret M. Mosher, both of Dover; one son, H. Parker Fifer of Magnolia; 11 grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren.
Service will be at 1 p.m. Wednesday at the Wyoming United Methodist Church, Broad Street, Wyoming.
The family will receive friends from 7-9 p.m. Tuesday at the Pippin Funeral Home, 119 W. Camden-Wyoming Avenue, Wyoming.
Burial will be in the Odd Fellows Cemetery, Camden.
The family suggests contributions be made to the Harvey P. Fifer Memorial Fund at the Wyoming United Methodist Church, 112 Broad Street, Wyoming, DE 19934.
Bert Long Jr., 69
DOVER - Bert Long Jr. of Dover died Thursday, April 23, 1998, in Kent General Hospital. He was 69.
Mr. Long was born in Guthrie Center, Iowa. He resided in Jackson Township for most of his life before moving to Dover 10 years ago.
He was a Military Police officer in the Air Force during the Korean conflict.
Mr. Long was employed as a machinist with Brockway Glass in Freehold, N.J., for 32 years.
He is survived by his wife, Eunita Jonas Long of Dover; a son, Dennis, of DuBois, Pa.; two daughters, Sharon Zari of South Toms River, N.J., and Brenda DiVincenzo of Forked River, Lacey Township, N.J.; and five grandchildren.
Arrangements by Layton's Homes For Funerals, Lacey Township.
Graham P. 'Jeep' Kesler, 75
DAGSBORO - Graham P. 'Jeep' Kesler of Dagsboro died of heart failure Saturday, April 25, 1998, in the Beebe Medical Center. He was 75.
Mr. Kesler was born in Washington, D.C., son of the late William H.H. and Katherine E. Phillips Kesler.
He was an Army Air Corps veteran of World War II, having been a navigator/bombardier stationed in England who flew on 35 missions. He was awarded the Air Medal and the Distinguished Flying Cross.
Mr. Kesler was senior vice-president of the Suburban Trust Co. in Hyattsville, Md., retiring in 1983 after 37 years.
He was a member of the Cripple Creek Golf & Country Club, Dagsboro; was past president of the National Association of Bank Auditors & Comptrollers; and was a member of the American Institute of Banking. He originated the check-digit concept for automated verification of account numbers.
He is survived by his wife of 48 years, Joan Auldridge Kesler; one son, Kevin Kesler of Silver Spring, Md.; two daughters, Regi O'Connor of Raleigh, N.C., and Kathy Winfield of Queenstown, Md.; and 10 grandchildren.
Service will be at 2 p.m. Monday at the Watson Funeral Home, 211 Washington Street, Millsboro, where friends may call two hours prior to the service.
The Rev. Robert Hudson will officiate.
Burial will be in Mariner's Bethel Church Cemetery, Ocean View.
Ellen Howard Harmeson, 84
DOVER - Ellen Howard Harmeson of Westminster Village, Dover, died Saturday April 25, 1998, in her home. She was 84.
Mrs. Harmeson was born in 1913 in Baltimore, the daughter of Dr. J. Howard and Mary G. Beard.
She graduated from the University of Illinois, Urbana, Ill., with a degree in chemistry and nutrition, and was a Bronze Tablet Scholar. She interned at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore in dietetics.
Mrs. Harmeson moved with her family to Dover in 1949. She taught for 22 years in the Capital School District, and was the State Teacher of the Year in 1968.
She was an active member of Christ Episcopal Church, Dover.
She is survived by her husband of 62 years, Donald K. Harmeson; a daughter, Carol L. LaBelle of Philadelphia; one granddaughter, Catherine A. LaBelle of N.Y.; and two sisters, Charlotte Coltman of Pittsburgh, Pa., and Mary Amo Peebles of Roanoke, Va.
There will be a graveside service at 2 p.m. Tuesday in Christ Churchyard, South State and Water Streets, Dover.
Instead of flowers, the family suggests contributions be made to Christ Episcopal Church, South State and Water Streets, Dover, DE 19901.
Arrangements by the Torbert Funeral Chapel, Dover.
Lois A. Mannering, 58
DOVER - Lois A. Mannering of Dover, and formerly of Townsend, died of a heart attack Tuesday, May 5, 1998 in Kent General Hospital. She was 58.
Ms. Mannering retired from the State of Delaware, where she had worked for the Department of Correction and also the Division of Highways.
She is survived by her mother, Mildred E. Mannering of Townsend; a sister, June M. Stover of Smyrna; two nephews, Gary L. Stover Jr. of Chesapeake City, Md., and Jeffery B. Stover of Smyrna; and a niece, Lori L. Stover of Fair Hill, Md.
Service will be 11 a.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 in the Townsend Cemetery.
The family suggests contributions be made to American Diabetes Foundation, 110 S. French St., Wilmington, DE.
Rosemary Rose, 64
DOVER - Rosemary Rose of Dover died Thursday, May 7, 1998 in Kent General Hospital, Dover. She was 64.
Mrs. Rose was born in 1934, the daughter of the late James V. and Alberta Cullen.
She Graduated from Dover High School in 1952.
Mrs. Rose retired from Dover Air Force Base in 1988 after 32 years with the Civil Service as a cashier in the Accounting and Finance Office, and for the last nine years, she was employed by Wilmington Trust, Milford.
She is survived by her husband of 35 years, Earl Rose of Dover; two daughters, Kelley R., and her husband, Bryan G. Jones, of Warwick, Md., and Lisa R., and her husband, Fred S. Billings, of Salisbury, Md.; three brothers, James Cullen, Gerald Cullen and John Cullen, all of Dover; and several aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and friends.
Service will be 2:30 p.m. Monday at Trader Funeral Home, 12 Lotus St., Dover, where friends may call one hour prior to the service.
Burial will be in Sharon Hill Memorial Park, Dover.
Instead of flowers, the family suggest donations be made to Delaware Hospice, 911 South DuPont Highway, Dover, DE 19901.
George Briggs, 72
GEORGETOWN - George Briggs of Georgetown died of heart failure Wednesday, May 6, 1998, in Milford Memorial Hospital. He was 72.
Mr. Briggs was a retired farmer and owner of Lucky Star Farms.
He was a past master of Midland Grange 27; a 40-year member of Union Lodge 3, International Order of Odd Fellows, Georgetown; and also a member of Grace United Methodist Church.
He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Catherine M. Briggs; two sons, Charles Elmer Briggs Sr. and Lewis W. Briggs II, both of Georgetown; a daughter, Ruth Briggs King of Georgetown; six grandsons; a granddaughter; a step-granddaughter; a great-granddaughter; three brothers, John L. Briggs of Georgetown, David R. Briggs of Oak Orchard and Theodore Briggs of Dover; and two sisters, Marcela Reeser of Hammonton, N.J., and Dora Hauck of St. Charles, Mo.
Service will be 1 p.m. Monday at the Chapel of Short Funeral Services, 609 E. Market St., Georgetown.
Friends may call 7-9 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home.
Burial will be in Union Cemetery, Georgetown.
Contributions can be made to Grace United Methodist Church, E. Market St., Georgetown, DE 19947.
