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.
FELTON - William D. 'Billy' Lankford Sr. of Felton died, after a long illness, Wednesday, Jan. 13, 1999, in his home. He was 63.
Mr. Lankford liked country music, rigging things up, tinkering with cars, and participating in the Demolition Derby at the Delaware State Fair near Harrington. He also had a great love for his dog, Bullet.
He was known by other names, in addition to Billy, such as Wild Bill, Repo Man and Pabst Blue Ribbon Man.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Patricia 'Patsy' Lankford, Feb. 10, 1998.
He is survived by five sons, William David Lankford Jr. of Lancaster, Pa., Earle Lankford, Robert Lankford Sr. and Richard Brown, all of Felton, and Thomas Lankford of Harrington; five daughters, Darlene Cropper of Bridgeville, Marlene Shields of Felton, Christine Wells of Federalsburg, Md., Juanita Brown of Lincoln and Trisha Tucker of Harrington; several grandchildren and great-grandchildren; and his childhood nanny, Sara Turpin of Denton, Md.
Service will be 11 a.m. Monday at the Fleischauer Funeral Home, 48 W. Market St., Greenwood, where friends may call from 7-9 p.m. Sunday.
Burial will be in Hollywood Cemetery, Harrington.
Roy Lewis, 88
DOVER - Roy Lewis of Dover died Thursday, Jan. 14, 1999, on North New Street, Dover. He was 88.
Mr. Lewis had worked for the Sanitation Department of Elsmere.
He was preceded in death by his parents, John Charles Lewis and Susan Matilda Springer.
He is survived by three caregivers, Lisa Clough, Peggy Kenn and Janet Epperson, all of Dover.
Service will be 2 p.m. Tuesday at Gracelawn Cemetery and Chapel, where friends may call three-quarters of an hour before the service.
Burial will be in Gracelawn Cemetery following the service.
Arrangements by Trader Funeral Home, Dover.
Hans Frederick Marx, 83
LEWES - Hans Frederick Marx of Lewes died Tuesday, Jan. 12, 1999, in his home. He was 83.
Mr. Marx was born Aug. 8, 1915, in Baltimore, the son of the late John Henry Marx and Emma Frieda Marx.
He was a press photographer; he worked for The (Baltimore) Sun, and then, after retiring, as a free-lancer. He was press photographer of the year for the United States; the only photographer to exhibit press photography as an art form for The Encyclopaedia Britannica; and the only photographer to have a one-man exhibit of 50 photographs in the Washington Art Gallery. He also received awards in Belgium, Luxembourg and Brazil. For years, The Sun ran an insert of photos taken by him in their editions.
Mr. Marx also did several magazine-type books for the U.S. Naval Institute Proceedings, produced two major booklets of history for the U.S. Merchant Marine's Tall Ships Race in conjunction with the 1964-1965 New York World's Fair; and took specialty photographs covering the building of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge.
He moved from Baltimore to Lewes in 1965.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Emma Frieda Marx.
He is survived by a son, Hans Stephan Marx of Tacoma, Wash.; a daughter, Marlene Malcan of Midlothian, Va.; a sister, Ruth Frieda Kuck, also of Midlothian; two grandchildren; and a great-grandchild.
Service will be 2 p.m. Saturday at Atkins-Lodge Chapel of Parsell Funeral Homes and Crematorium, 1449 Kings Highway, Lewes, where friends may call one hour before the service. The Rev. Edwin Thress, pastor, will officiate.
Burial will be in Baltimore National Cemetery, Baltimore.
Instead of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions be made to the Chesapeake Maritime Museum, P.O. Box 636 Navy Point, St. Michaels, MD 21663-0636; or to The Mariners Museum, 100 Museum Drive, Newport News, VA 23606-3759.
George L. McKee, 79
MIDDLETOWN - George L. McKee of Middletown died Wednesday, Jan. 13, 1999, in Kent General Hospital, Dover. He was 79.
Mr. McKee was born Oct. 24, 1919, in Drumwright, Okla., the son of the late George and Claire McKee.
He was a minister of Jehovah's Witnesses.
He is survived by his wife, Sarah McKee; a son, Robert McKee of Harrisburg, Pa.; and two grandchildren.
Memorial service will be 2 p.m. Saturday at Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses, Middletown.
Arrangements by Minus Funeral Home, Dover.
Muriel R. Schoelkopf, 78
OCEAN VIEW - Muriel R. Schoelkopf of Ocean View, formerly of Timonium, Md., died after a brief illness Tuesday, Jan. 12, 1999, in her home. She was 78.
Mrs. Schoelkopf was a member and secretary of the Timonium United Methodist Church, Timonium, for many years. After relocating to Ocean View in 1983, she was an active member of Mariner's Bethel United Methodist Church. She was a past president of the United Methodist Women. She was a charter member of ACTS (Atlantic Community Thrift Shop), which was developed in 1989 to help service the needs of the community, through the Southeast Sussex Ministerium. She served on the board of directors and was president in 1991 and 1992.
She was preceded in death by her first husband, Therman Lewis Robinson; and a son, James Douglas Robinson.
She is survived by her second husband, Jack Schoelkopf of Ocean View; a daughter and son-in-law, Reba and Hal McVey of Schley, Va.; a son, Richard Robinson of Annapolis, Md.; a stepdaughter and son-in-law, Nancy and Ken Libertini of Huntingtown, Md.; a stepson and daughter-in-law, Art and Janet Schoelkopf of Baltimore; and two daughters-in-law, Gretchen Conner of Berlin, Md., and Pamela Robinson Bradley of Quinton, Va.; nine grandchildren; and a great-grandchild.
Memorial service will be 11 a.m. Saturday at Mariner's Bethel United Methodist Church, where the Rev. Joseph Burris will officiate.
The family suggests contributions may be made to the building fund of Mariner's Bethel United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 40, Ocean View, DE 19970.
Ellen Smith, 65
FELTON - Ellen Smith of Felton died Wednesday, Jan. 13, 1999, in Kent General Hospital, Dover. She was 65.
Mrs. Smith was born in Frederica, the daughter of the late George and Alice Sherwood Rawding.
She was a nursing assistant at Genesis ElderCare Milford Manor, retiring in 1990. She also was a homemaker.
Mrs. Smith was very active in the community. She served as the vice president of the Community Fire Co. of Felton Ladies Auxiliary, was a member of the Frazier Homemakers Club and was involved with the V.C.F. Ruritan Club, Viola.
She enjoyed cooking and traveling.
Mrs. Smith attended Calvary Wesleyan Church, Harrington.
She is survived by her husband of 48 years, Robert Smith Sr.; a son, Robert Smith Jr. of Jacksonville, Fla.; two daughters, Bonnie Smith Maris and Rhonda K. Smith, both of Felton; two brothers, Leroy Rawding of Harrington and George Rawding of Felton; and four grandchildren, Chad Maris, Josh Smith and Staci Maris, all of Felton, and Robert Smith III of Jacksonville.
Service will be noon Saturday in the Chapel of Berry-Short Funeral Home, Main Street, Felton, where friends may call one hour prior to the service.
Burial will be in Hopkins Cemetery, Felton.
Janet E. Smith, 63
MILFORD - Janet E. Smith of Milford died Wednesday, Dec. 23, 1998, in Bayhealth Medical Center, Milford. She was 63.
Mrs. Smith was a homemaker.
She enjoyed knitting, crocheting and sewing for community affairs and friends.
Mrs. Smith was a volunteer in the gift shop for Milford Memorial Hospital.
She was a life member of Blue Hen VFW Auxiliary 6483 of Milford, joining in 1975. She served two terms as president and until her death was senior vice president of the auxiliary, Conductress in District 3 and assistant guard in department. She was an active member of the auxiliary and held many other chairwomanships.
She was preceded in death by her husband, William A. Smith, in 1990.
She is survived by her mother, Elsie Lambdin of Townsend; a son, Rodney McClain of Michigan; a stepson, William A. Smith Jr. of Alexandria, Va.; four sisters, Patricia Manning of Townsend, Mary F. Berner of Nottingham, Pa., Darlene Diferdiano of Parkesburg, Pa., and Beryl L. Keesy of Bryn Mawr, Pa.; and two step-grandchildren.
Memorial service will be 11 a.m. Saturday at Rogers Funeral Home, 301 Lakeview Ave., Milford.
Instead of flowers, the family suggests contributions be made to Blue Hen VFW Auxiliary 6483, c/o Mrs. Ellen Jester, treasurer, 4775 Gun & Rod Club Road, Houston, DE 19954.
Katherine D. 'Kitty' Bailey, 83
SMYRNA - Katherine D. 'Kitty' Bailey of Smyrna died Thursday, Jan. 14, 1999, in Bayhealth-Kent General Hospital. She was 83.
Mrs. Bailey was born Sept. 20, 1915, in Smyrna, the daughter of the late James Wallace Davis and Rena Jones Davis.
She was a graduate of Smyrna's John Bassett Moore High School, Class of 1934.
Mrs. Bailey was a prominent Smyrna citizen and an active member of many local and state organizations.
She married Clay F. Bailey on Jan. 15, 1936. He died April 5, 1959, leaving her solely responsible for rearing two young sons.
Mrs. Bailey and her husband operated a grocery store on Smyrna-Clayton Avenue. She also was employed in the office of Wilson Refrigeration. In 1961, she was hired by the Metropolitan Life Insurance Co. as a consultant to work out of the Dover office. Mrs. Bailey held the distinction of being the first female consultant in Delaware to be employed by that company. She later became an employee of the state Board of Education in Dover and faithfully served as the administrative secretary of the board until her retirement in 1984.
She was a people person, a trait which began in her youth. She went to Sunday school and church at Asbury United Methodist Church in Smyrna and joined Epworth League, and, as an adult, became an active member in the WSCS and the Harvey C. Jones Bible Class. She served on the old Official Board and later the Administrative Council, during which time she was a member of the Planning and Development Committee for the erection of the new church parsonage and educational wing.
From the time she was able to cast her first ballot, Mrs. Bailey was a registered Republican, and later became affiliated with the Republican Women's Club, holding positions on local, state and national committees.
She was a member of the Ladies Auxiliary of the American Legion David C. Harrison Post 14 in Smyrna and enjoyed working on its many committees and activities, including being a delegate many times to the state organization. She was a past president of the state and local auxiliaries. She was the chairwoman of the March of Dimes drives for over 20 years.
She was a member and past president of the Twentieth Century Club in Smyrna and served in both the local club and the State Federation of Women's Clubs.
She enjoyed being a volunteer at the gift shop for the Historic Houses of Odessa.
Mrs. Bailey became a member and attended meetings regularly at the Duck Creek Historical Society. Whenever she was asked to help, she always did so, beginning with the first autumn in Duck Creek, where she served as a volunteer hostess. She became interested in the work of the society and in the history of 'my town.' She became a member of the board of directors, served as treasurer, and assisted with the acquisition of the Barracks, which is now the Smyrna Museum. She volunteered to be the curator and guide, a position which she held faithfully for the last decade. Her interest in historic preservation prompted her to join the National Trust for Historic Preservation, the Smithsonian Institution, the Kalmar Nyckel Foundation and the Smyrna-Clayton Heritage Association.
She was a charter member of the Smyrna High School Alumni Association.
Mrs. Bailey was in the Volunteer Nurses Corps in World War II and, for several years, was a member of the election board of the town of Smyrna.
In 1996, she was voted the winner of the Great Person Award by the citizens of the Smyrna-Clayton area.
In 1998, Mrs. Bailey received the Tourism Award from Gov. Thomas R. Carper.
In addition to her husband of 23 years, she was preceded in death by a son, Danford C. Bailey, in 1986.
She is survived by a son, George Larry Bailey of Smyrna; two brothers, Robert L. Davis of Ocean Pines, Md., and Preston C. Davis of Media, Pa.; a grandson, David C. Bailey of Smyrna; and two great-grandchildren, Brittney and Courtney Bailey, both of Smyrna.
Service will be 1 p.m. Tuesday at the Asbury United Methodist Church, 22-24 W. Mount Vernon St., Smyrna, where friends may call 7-9 p.m. Monday.
Burial will be in Odd Fellows Cemetery, Smyrna.
Instead of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions be made to Asbury United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 330, Smyrna, DE 19977; or to the Duck Creek Historical Society, P.O. Box 335, Smyrna, DE 19977.
Arrangements by Faries Funeral Directors Inc., Smyrna.
Michael Brochet, 68
RIDLEY PARK, Pa. - Michael Brochet of Ridley Park, formerly of Chester, died Tuesday, Jan. 12, 1999, in his home. He was 68.
Mr. Brochet was born Aug. 17, 1930, in Chester, son of the late Michael and Katheryn Matkowska Brochet.
He worked for Phoenix Steel Company, Claymont, Del., from 1948-1983. He was a truck driver for P-R Finishing Co., Folcroft, from 1987-1998.
Mr. Brochet was an Army veteran of the Korean War.
He was a member of St. Madeline Catholic Church, Ridley Park; past post commander of American Legion Post 546; and a member of Indian River Yacht Club, Millsboro, Del.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by three brothers, John Carmen, Andrew Brochet and Nicholas Brochet; and two sisters, Anne Waters and Sue Hinkle.
He is survived by his wife of 46 years, Adele Macielag Brochet; two sons, Michael J. 'Mickey' Brochet of Ridley Park and Stephen J. Brochet of Millsboro; two daughters, Debbie Coleman of Wilmington, Del., and Dianne Brochet of Ridley Park; a brother, Peter Brochet of Chester; a sister; Mary Lipp of Chester; and four grandchildren.
Mass of Christian burial will be 10 a.m. Monday at St. Madeline Catholic Church, Penn Street and Morton Avenue, Ridley Park, where friends may call from 8:30-9:30 a.m. Monday at White-Luttrell Funeral Homes Ltd., 311 N. Swarthmore Ave., Ridley Park. Friends may also call 7-9 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home.
Burial will be in the Lawn Croft Cemetery, Linwood.
The family suggests Mass cards or memorial gifts be made to Crozer Hospice, One Medical Center Blvd., Upland, PA 19013.
Josephine A. Burke, 92
FELTON - Josephine A. Burke of Felton died of natural causes Friday, Jan. 15, 1999, in Courtland Manor Nursing Home, Delaware. She was 92.
Mrs. Burke was a member of St. Bernadette's Catholic Church, Harrington, and of the Harrington Senior Center.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Thomas E. Burke Sr., in 1972.
She is survived by four sons, Thomas E. Burke Jr. of Rock Hall, Md., Robert J. Burke of Spokane, Wash., Lawrence J. Burke of Dover and Daniel J. Burke of Canadensis, Pa.; six daughters, Irene Haase of Fort Myers, Fla., Rita Merritt of Lincoln, Rose Marie Rautio of Mesa, Ariz., Betty Ann Koss of Wilmington, Mary Lou Mongiello of New Castle and Kathleen Spicola of Wilmington; 25 grandchildren; 34 great-grandchildren; and a great-great grandchild.
Service will be 11 a.m. Tuesday at St. Bernadette's Church, Harrington, where friends may call two hours before the service.
Burial will be 3 p.m. Tuesday in Edgewood Memorial Park, Delaware County, Pa.
Instead of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions be made to the Harrington Senior Center, 102 Fleming St., Harrington, DE 19952.
