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.
DOVER - George H. Downes of Dover, died Tuesday, Oct. 13, 1998, in Kent General Hospital. He was 81.
Mr. Downes was born Dec. 20, 1916, in Greensboro, Md., the son of the late Clarence and Emma Breeding.
He farmed several farms, including E.B. Townsends Farm, until going into the service in 1944.
Mr. Downes was a corporal in the U.S. Army, serving in Japan and the Philippines during World War II.
Following the service, he worked at Richardson & Robbins as a cook in the cook room, until going to work for Cook & Smith Florist. He eventually bought into the business at Cook & Smith's, and worked there for a total of 25 years until his retirement in 1974.
In his spare time, he enjoyed fixing lawn mowers and vegetable and flower gardening. He loved his grandchildren very much.
Mr. Downes was a former member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars.
He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Myrtle B. Downes of Dover; three daughters, Barbara Shrider of Cincinnati, Ohio, Carolyn Clinton of Dover and Sandra Clark of Hurricane, W. Va.; six grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and a nephew, Bill DeLong of Townsend.
Service will be 1 p.m. Saturday at Torbert Funeral Chapel, 61 S. Bradford Street, Dover, where friends may call 7-9 p.m. Friday.
Burial will be in Odd Fellows Cemetery, Camden.
Doris H. Kesselring, 77
DOVER - Doris H. Kesselring of Luther Towers, Dover, died Friday, Oct. 9, 1998, in her home. She was 77.
Mrs. Kesselring was born July 22, 1921, in New York, the daughter of the late Helen and William Hanson.
She served in the U.S. Navy WAVES in World War II in Washington, D.C., in the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations with a Top Secret security clearance.
Mrs. Kesselring was employed as a secretary for 48 years until her retirement in 1988.
She is survived by two stepdaughters, Jeanne D. Guenzler of Florence, Mont., and Karen L. Hassan of Long Island; a brother, William H. Hanson Jr., and sister-in-law, Donna M. Hanson, both of Holbrook, Long Island; four grandsons, Ben J. Guenzler and Casady L. Guenzler, both of Florence, and Steven Hassan and Daniel Hassan, both of Long Island; an aunt in Connecticut; several cousins; and numerous friends.
Memorial service will be 1 p.m. Friday in the Pastor Best Activity Room, Luther Towers, Building 1, Dover.
Burial will be private.
Arrangements by Pippin Funeral Home, Wyoming.
Clarence E. Lake, 81
DOVER - Clarence E. Lake of Dover, died, after a long illness, Saturday, Oct. 10, 1998, in Kent General Hospital, Dover. He was 81.
Mr. Lake was born June 17, 1917, in Millington, Md., the eldest son of the late Mary Eliza and Raymond Lake, formerly of Kenton.
He received his formal education in Delaware and Maryland schools.
Mr. Lake served in the U.S. Army and was honorably discharged.
He was employed by the Connecticut Labor Board after moving to New Britain, Conn., where he met and married his wife, Viola Jennings Lake.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife; two sisters, Bivian L. Jackson-Demby and Shirley Thorn; and two brothers, James Roland Lake and Elmer Lake.
He is survived by a brother, Richard Lake of Jackson, Miss.; a brother-in-law, retired Sgt. Maj. James Thorn of Hanover, Md.; a sister-in-law, Dorothy Lake of Milford; a grandson, Michael Brown of Newark; and a host of nephews, nieces, great-nephews and great-nieces, cousins and friends.
Service will be 1 p.m. Saturday at Emmanuel Pentecostal Church, Center Street, Camden, where friends may call two hours prior to the service.
Friends may also call 6-7 p.m. Friday at the Bennie Smith Funeral Home, Dover.
Burial will be 10:30 a.m. Monday in Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Bear.
Fannie W. Lambdin, 68
DOVER - Fannie W. Lambdin of Dover, died of natural causes Tuesday, Oct. 13, 1998, in Christiana Hospital, Newark. She was 68.
Mrs. Lambdin was born Aug. 21, 1930, in Marydel, Md., the daughter of the late Harry Edgar and Pearl Rash Walls.
She was self-employed as a house painter.
Mrs. Lambdin enjoyed her family, bingo and eating at Stone's Family Restaurant.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Lester J. Lambdin, in 1986; and by a daughter, Katherine Alvaro, on Dec. 29, 1997.
She is survived by a son and daughter-in-law, Lester J. Lambdin Jr. and Ann Lambdin of Clayton; two daughters and two sons-in-law, Elizabeth and John Ford of Hockessin and Deborah A. and John Pinder of Dover; another son-in-law, Richard Alvaro of Dover; two brothers, Thomas Allen Walls of Massachusetts and Olin Walls of Missouri; a sister, Anna May Hall of Dover; 12 grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; and several nephews and nieces.
Service will be 11 a.m. Saturday at Fleegle & Helfenbein Funeral Home, Greensboro, Md., where friends may call one hour prior to the service.
Burial will be in Ridgely Cemetery, Ridgely, Md.
The Rev. Gerald C. Miller Sr., 48
HOUSTON - The Rev. Gerald C. Miller Sr. of Houston, died of cardiomyopathy Tuesday, Oct. 13, 1998, in Bayhealth Medical Center-Milford Memorial Hospital, Milford. He was 48.
The Rev. Miller was born Aug. 4, 1950, in Milford, the son of Thomas Lord and Edith Miller.
He was a graduate of Milford High School.
The Rev. Miller worked as a truck-driving instructor. He also was assistant minister at Grace United Baptist Church, Smyrna.
He developed 'COYED' - Committed Organization Youth Education Development - of Milford.
He is survived by his wife, Emilie Miller of Houston; a son, Gerald C. Miller Jr. of Houston; two stepsons, Robert Smith and Merlin Smith, both of Houston; three stepdaughters, Deneen Smith of Lincoln, Cynthia Stevens of Houston and Cornelia Blatt of California; three brothers, Gary Curry and Mitchell Curry, both of Milford, and Joe Curry of New York; a sister, Michelle McTeer of Milford; and seven grandchildren.
Service will be noon Saturday at Wesley United Methodist Church, Slaughter Neck, with the Rev. Samuel Waller officiating.
Friends may call at the church two hours prior to the service.
Burial will follow the service.
Arrangements by Minus Funeral Home, Dover.
Kenneth W. Thawley, 40
DENTON, Md. - Kenneth W. Thawley of Denton, died of heart failure Tuesday, Oct. 13, 1998, in Peninsula Regional Medical Center, Salisbury. He was 40.
Mr. Thawley was born in Easton, the son of Fred Thawley Sr. of Denton and the late Patricia Ann Thawley.
In addition to his father, he is survived by two brothers, Fred Thawley Jr. and John 'Rick' Thawley, both of Denton.
Service will be 2 p.m. Friday at Moore Funeral Home P.A., 12 S. Second St., Denton, where friends may call one hour prior to the service.
Burial will be in Denton Cemetery, Denton.
The family suggests that memorial contributions be made to The Holly Foundation, PO Box 1489, Salisbury, MD 21802-1489.
Grace A. Van Apeldoorn, 89
DOVER - Grace A. Van Apeldoorn of Dover, died, after a brief illness, Saturday, Oct. 10, 1998, in Capitol Health Care Center, Dover. She was 89.
Mrs. Van Apeldoorn was born and raised in Albany, N.Y., the daughter of the late John and Anna Hotaling Bent. After spending most of her life in Albany, she had recently moved to Dover.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, James Van Apeldoorn, in 1961.
She is survived by two sons, Harold A. Van Apeldoorn and Robert J. Van Apeldoorn, both of Albany; a daughter, Ruth A Lints of Dover; her friend and companion, Joseph Osinski of Dover; a brother, Arthur Bent of Albany; 12 grandchildren; and 13 great-grandchildren.
Service will be 11 a.m. today at Frederick Funeral Home Inc., 16 Manning Square, Albany.
Burial will be in Graceland Cemetery, Albany.
Local arrangements are by Michael J. Ambruso Funeral Director Inc., Dover.
Mary Elizabeth 'Betty' Weaver, 76
GREENSBORO, Md. - Mary Elizabeth 'Betty' Weaver of Greensboro, died of natural causes Wednesday, Oct. 14, 1998, in Caroline Nursing Home, Denton. She was 76.
Mrs. Weaver was born April 13, 1922, in Milford, the daughter of the late Nyle and Florence Passwaters Callaway.
She was a homemaker.
Mrs. Weaver was a member of St. Paul's United Methodist Church, Greensboro; a member of the Greensboro Town and Country Club, serving as a past president; and a member of the Greensboro Town Parks Board, serving as a past chairwoman. She was a volunteer with Memorial Hospital at Easton and enjoyed traveling, crocheting, reading and gardening.
She is survived by her husband, Zeth Weaver; a son, Dr. Toby Weaver of Salisbury; two daughters, Sandra W. Greer of Salisbury and June W. Medford of Gambrills; two sisters, Aleen Reeser of Oak Orchard and Doris Barber of Harrington; six grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.
Service will be 2 p.m. Saturday at the Fleegle & Helfenbein Funeral Home, 106 W. Sunset Ave., Greensboro, where friends may call 7-9 p.m. Friday.
Burial will be in Greensboro Cemetery, Greensboro.
The family suggests that memorial contributions be sent to the Friends of the Library, Greensboro Branch, PO Box 340, Greensboro, MD 21639; or to a charity of one's choice.
Bernard Franklin 'Barney' Beauchamp, 71
FEDERALSBURG, Md. - Bernard Franklin 'Barney' Beauchamp of Federalsburg, died Wednesday, Oct. 14, 1998, in Nanticoke Memorial Hospital, Seaford. He was 71.
Mr. Beauchamp was born Jan. 29, 1927, in Federalsburg, the son of the late Arthur Beauchamp Sr. and Florence Javins Beauchamp.
He was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II.
In his civilian career, Mr. Beauchamp worked as an auto mechanic for the former Service Trucking Co. and for Tri-Gas & Oil Co., Zaffere Bakery, Levi/Hertrich Chevrolet and Tipton's Garage, all of Federalsburg.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, Arthur Beauchamp Jr., formerly of Bridgeville, Del.; and a granddaughter, Cheri Friedel.
He is survived by his wife, Clemmie Mitchell Beauchamp; a son, Charles Beauchamp of Greenwood; three daughters, Rita Neal and Louise B. Cheek, borh of Federalsburg, and Peggy Friedel of Greenwood; two brothers, Sherman Beauchamp of Bridgeville and Calvert Beauchamp of Federalsburg; three sisters, Doryse Sciolino of Whiting, N.J., and Betty Mowbray and Pauline Mitchell, both of Federalsburg; 13 grandchildren; 6 great-grandchildren; and several nephews and nieces.
Service will be 1 p.m. Saturday at Framptom-Hawkins-Eskow Funeral Home, 216 N. Main St., Federalsburg, with the Rev. Denzil Cheek officiating.
Burial will be 10 a.m. Monday in Eastern Shore Veterans Cemetery, near Hurlock.
The family suggests that memorial contributions be sent to Federalsburg Vol. Fire Co., PO Box 99, Federalsburg, MD 21632.
William C. 'Bill' Ward, 71
EARLEVLLE, Md. - William C. 'Bill' Ward of Earleville, and formerly of Wilmington, Del., died Tuesday in his home. He was 71.
Mr. Ward was an Army veteran of World War II.
He was a prominent contractor in Delaware, operating J.T. Ward and Son Contractors Inc. and Contractors Sand and Gravel, both in Wilmington, and Cecil Construction Corp. in Maryland. Mr. Ward's association with the construction business spans six decades.
Some of the projects Mr. Ward was involved with include: Construction of I-95 in northern New Castle County; Longwood Gardens - road, bridges and greenways; site work at the old Wanamaker's in Wilmington; University of Delaware College of Marine Studies campus, Lewes, Del.; Dover (Del.) Mall; and many schools in New Castle County, including the new Middletown (Del.) High School.
The company was started by his father, Joseph T. Ward, in the 1930s; Bill Ward purchased it from his father in 1960, and continued to manage it until 1990. Until the time of his death, he had continued to operate Cecil Construction Corp.
Mr. Ward was inducted into the American Society of Highway Engineers Hall of Fame in May. He had served as national director of Associated General Contractors of America, was a past president of Allied Construction Trades and of Delaware Associated General Contractors, and was a member of the Delaware Contractors Association and the Delaware Excavation and Paving Association.
He was a charter member of Del-Vets and Brandywine Hundred Kiwanis Club; was a past district commissioner of the Middletown Pony Club; served on the board of Broadmeadow School; was a 27-year member of Ducks Unlimited and a past chairman of its Sassafras River Chapter; was a member of the Maryland Farm Bureau and the Maryland Angus Association; and was a founding member of the Cecil County Drug Awareness Task Force.
Mr. Ward was an avid hunter and enjoyed traveling.
He is survived by his wife of 49 years, Elizabeth O. 'Betty' Ward; four daughters, Jane Ward Henry of Old Hope Farm, Earleville, Nancy A. Murray of Rising Sun, Mary Ward-Hutchison of Middletown and Catherine Ward McNatt of Port Deposit; a sister, Margaret Ward Harkins of Wilmington; nine grandchildren; and a great-grandson.
Mass of Christian burial will be 11 a.m. Monday at Old Bohemia Catholic Church, Warwick.
Friends may call 7-9 p.m. Sunday at Daniels & Hutchison Funeral Home, 212 N. Broad St., Middletown.
Burial will be in the cemetery adjoining the church.
The family suggests memorial contributions be sent to Cecil County Special Olympics or Delaware Special Olympics, or to Northern Chesapeake Hospice, c/o Daniels & Hutchison Funeral Homes, PO Box 126, Middletown, DE 19709.
