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 - Minnie Sumner Moore Wynder of Dover died Monday, March 2, 1998, in Kent General Hospital. She was 83.
Mrs. Wynder was born in 1914, on the campus of North Carolina A&T College in Greensboro, N.C.
She received her formal education in the public school system of Durham, N.C. She then attended Hampton University (formerly Hampton Institute) in Hampton, Va., on an academic scholarship, earning her bachelor of science degree in home economics in 1937. She was one of the first blacks to receive a master's degree from the University of Delaware and did additional studies at the Michigan State University, Kentucky State University and Delaware State University.
On Aug. 27, 1938, she married the late William Richard Wynder, whom she met while both were teaching in the Robert Moton High School in Easton, Md. They moved to Dover where she continued to pursue her love of teaching at the Louis L. Redding High School in Middletown for 12 years. She taught at Kent County Vocational Child Care Center in the state of Delaware. She was the first state supervisor of home economics and worked in related occupations until her retirement in June 1979 after 44 years of service in education.
Mrs. Wynder also had other loves. Being a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother gave her so much pride. She will be remembered as a loving, hard working, caring and giving lady who shared her life and what she had with all she knew. Her acceptance of others knew no boundaries. She was a true friend and humble servant who always had a kind word, a wonderful smile, and a great sense of humor. She was always known as Aunt Minnie or Mom Wynder, especially by the many college students she and her late husband loved and supported as their children. Ten special students had the privilege to live with Dr. and Mrs. Wynder while attending Delaware State College. Two of her special children - Sherena Williams of Dover and Rose Sobers of New York City - established and maintained a mother/daughter relationship.
She dedicated her Christian life to her church, Whatcoat United Methodist Church, where she was involved in the total worship of the church, especially her melodious years as a member of the Chancel Choir. She also served her church as vice president of the trustee board, Lay member to the annual conference, the Pastors Parish Relations, member of the Finance Committee, and the Whatcoat Social Services. She was a charter member of the Dover Alumnae Chapter of the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. She held all offices in the Dover chapter. She cherished her sorority, believing in the true sense of sisterhood and her sisters and their families became part of her family. She was also a member of the Omega Psi Phi Quette's, holding all offices in the lower Delaware chapter.
Mrs. Wynder held numerous offices in many educational and community organizations. She was a member of the Delaware Association of School Administrators, American Home Economics Association, American Vocational Association and the Delaware Vocational Association. One of her favorite volunteer works was the 'Meals on Wheels Program' at the Dover Modern Maturity Center. She was honored as a community volunteer by the state of Delaware. She also served on the following boards: Kent and Sussex Industries, Kent County Head Start, Lowen Pitte Day Care Center, Delaware Displaced Homemakers and the Delaware State College Economics Advisory Council. She has received many awards and recognition for her outstanding service.
She is survived by her daughter, Anne Wynder Pitman of Philadelphia; a son, William Richard Wynder Jr. of Dover; a son-in-law, Dr. Joffie C. Pitman Sr. of Philadelphia; a grandson, Joffie Christopher Pitman Jr. Esq. of Philadelphia; a granddaughter, Nicole Iris Pitman Esq. of New Orleans; her close friends and companions of over 60 years, Mrs. Blairyn Perry of Hampton, Va., and Dr. Harriet Ruth Williams of Dover; and many other nieces, nephews, devoted neighbors, relatives and friends.
Service will be 1 p.m. Friday at the Whatcoat United Methodist Church in Dover, where friends may call one hour prior to service. Friends may also call from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday at the church.
Burial will be in the Sunset Memorial Gardens, Dover.
Arrangements by Bennie Smith Funeral Home, Dover.
James R. Cowen, 74
GEORGETOWN - James R. Cowen of Georgetown died of chronic lung disease Sunday, March 2, 1998, in his home. He was 74.
Mr. Cowen was born in Clay, Ky., son of the late George W. and Nora Belle Cowen.
He operated James R. Cowen Plumbing and Welldrilling Company in Georgetown for 43 years and retired in 1990.
Mr. Cowen was an Army Air Corp veteran of World War II.
He was a member of the Trinity United Methodist Church near Laurel.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Mary Elaine Radish Cowen, in 1989.
He is survived by a son, Randall Jay Cowen of Georgetown; two daughters, Marybelle C. Toomey and Shirley A. Class, both of Georgetown; a sister, Lorene Barrick of Codorus, Pa.; four grandchildren; and two great grandchildren.
Service will be noon Saturday at the Watson Funeral Home, 211 Washington St., Millsboro, where friends may call one hour prior to service.
Burial will be in Line Methodist Cemetery in Whitesville.
Henry E. Hall, 79
LAUREL - Henry E. Hall of Laurel, died Sunday, March 1, 1998 in Nanticoke Memorial Hospital in Seaford. He was 79.
Mr. Hall was born in Parsonsburg, Md., son of the late Henry and Ida Hall.
He was an independent truck driver and retired.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Lottie M. Hall.
He is survived by a son, Gary Hall of Bethel; a daughter, Eva Ann Parsons of Laurel; a sister, Catherine Holston of Georgetown; five grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and a host of nieces and nephews.
Service will be 11 a.m. Friday at Short Funeral Home, 700 West St., Laurel, where friends may call from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday.
Burial will be in Laurel Hill Cemetery, Laurel.
James A. Hoesch Sr., 63
WYOMING - James A. Hoesch Sr. of Wyoming, formerly of Darby, Pa., died of cancer Friday, February 27, 1998, in his home. He was 63.
Mr. Hoesch was born in Darby, son of the late Kathryn Gallagher and Andrew Hoesch.
He moved to Delaware a year ago after retiring from the University of Pennsylvania, where he had worked as a computer technician.
Mr. Hoesch served in the United States Coast Guards until 1959.
He was member of the Catholic War Veterans.
He is survived by his wife of 40 years, Patricia Stauffer Hoesch; a son, James Hoesch Jr. of Wyoming; a daughter, Kimberly Flynn; a son-in-law, Michael Flynn of Wyoming; and six grandchildren, Nicole Hoesch, Michael Hoesch, Kristyn Hoesch, Tara Flynn, Heather Flynn and Ashlee Flynn, all of Wyoming.
Service will be 10 a.m. Thursday at the Holy Cross Catholic Church, State Street, Dover.
Instead of flowers, contributions may be made to: Delaware Hospice, 911 S. DuPont Highway, Dover, DE 19901.
Arrangements by Pippin Funeral Home, Wyoming.
Alton R. Culver, 68
LAUREL - Alton R. Culver of Laurel died of heart failure Monday, March, 2, 1998, in the Peninsula Regional Medical Center, Salisbury, Md. He was 68.
Mr. Culver retired from Joseph C. O'Neal Auctioneer and Farmer in 1995 after 10 years of service.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Leona Marlette Culver, in 1985.
He is survived by his live-in companion of 10 years, Evelyn Hearn; a son, Ward L. Culver of Laurel; a daughter, Janet Hitchens of Bridgeville; a sister, Beatrice Bryan of Laurel; and six grandchildren.
Service will be 2 p.m. Thursday at the Cranston Funeral Home, 300 Shipley St. in Seaford, where friends may call one hour prior to service.
Burial will be in the Mt. Pleasant Cemetery, Laurel.
Ingrid S. Boone, 84
MILFORD - Ingrid S. Boone of Milford died of heart failure Monday, March 2, 1998, at Milford Memorial Hospital. She was 84.
Mrs. Boone was born in 1914, in Pierpont, S.D., the daughter of the late Gerald Boone Salvesen and Anne T. Hauseland Salvesen.
She was an executive secretary.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Harold G. Boone in 1961; and two sisters, Anny Salvesen and Gunvor Anita Braasch.
She is survived by two sisters, Olga Salvesen and Ida S. Corder, both of Milford; and a brother, Gerald S. Salvesen of Danville, Calif.
Service will be 1 p.m. Thursday at the Chapel of Berry-Short Funeral Home, 119 N.W. Front St. in Milford, where friends may call two hours prior to service.
Burial will be in Odd Fellows Cemetery in Milford.
Theodore W. Brunken, 64
LEWES - Theodore W. Brunken of Lewes died Monday, March 2, 1998, at Beebe Medical Center. He was 64.
Mr. Brunken was born 1933 in Philadelphia, the son of the late John Brunken and Mildred Carr.
He worked for AT&T as a systems engineer for 35 years, retiring in 1969.
He was a Korean War Air Force veteran.
Mr. Brunken was a member of the Telephone Pioneers in Georgetown, where he did volunteer work on machine for the hearing impaired, the 32nd degree Mason in Prospect Lodge #578 and a member of the Scottish Rite in Scranton, Pa. He was also a member of the VFW 7449 in Rehoboth Beach, the AARP Chapter 3543 in Sussex County, the Sussex Shore Senior Squares and the Whirl-A-Ways Square Dance Club in Georgetown.
He is survived by his wife of 12 years, Karen A. Valsing Brunken of Lewes; two sons, Theodore W. Brunken Jr. and Clifford Brunken, both of Prospect Park, Pa.; a daughter, John H. Brunken of Lewes; a stepdaughter, Cindy O'Neill of Fort Collins, Colo.; and a grandson.
Service will be noon Thursday at the Groome United Methodist Church, Savannah Road in Lewes, where friends may call one hour prior to service. The Rev. Charles Moyer will officiate.
Burial will be 11 a.m. Friday in the Valley Forge Memorial Gardens, King of Prussia, Pa.
Instead of flowers, the family suggests contributions be made to the Groome United Methodist Church, Savannah Road, Lewes, DE 19958.
Arrangements by the Parsell Funeral Homes & Crematorium, Atkins-Lodge Chapel, Lewes.
Denver H. Helmick, 70
MILFORD - Denver H. Helmick of Milford died of cancer Monday, March 2, 1998, in the Milford Memorial Hospital. He was 70.
Mr. Helmick worked as a dispatcher in Milford for 30 years, retiring in 1989.
He was an Army veteran.
He was an avid woodworker and handyman.
Mr. Helmick had been a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Blue Hen Post 6483 in Milford, the American Legion Post 3 in Milford, the Lighthouse Christian Center in Milford and a member of the Milford Senior Center. He also acted as a volunteer mail carrier at the Milford Memorial Hospital and attended the Stroke Support Group at the hospital.
He is survived by his wife of 46 years, Lillie E. 'Winkie' Helmick of Milford; a son, Dale G. Helmick of Milford; a daughter, Deborah J. Tucker of Milford; two brothers, Earl Helmick of Lincoln and Gordon Helmick of Columbia, S.C.; two sisters, Vada Collins of Milford and Beulah Crossland of Dryfork, W.Va.; and six grandchildren.
Service will be 11 a.m. Friday at the Lighthouse Christian Center, Del. 14 in Milford.
Friends may call from 7-9 p.m. Thursday at the Lofland Funeral Home, 102 Lakeview Ave. in Milford.
Burial with military honors will be in the Odd Fellows Cemetery, Milford.
William Franklin Harris, 75
MILFORD - William Franklin Harris of Milford died Monday, March 2, 1998, in the Kent General Hospital, Dover. He was 75.
Mr. Harris worked as a foreman at I.L.C. in Frederica for many years having to retire on disability.
He helped build the road between Milford and Georgetown while he was in the CCC Camp in the 1930s before World War II.
He served in the U.S. Army during World War II, first as a paratrooper in the 82nd Airborne Division. He was involved in the D-Day Invasion of Normandy and was wounded during the battle, receiving his first purple heart. He then was transferred to the 4th Armored Division as a tank driver for the rest of his tour of duty and during this time he was wounded again receiving a second purple heart.
Mr. Harris was a member of the Church of Nazarene in Milford, a life member of the Military Order of the Purple Heart Chapter 1728 in Dover and a life member of the D.A.V.
He is survived by his wife, Ruth Ingle Harris; a son, William Harris of Wilmington; two daughters and their spouses, Catherine and Ozzie Arthurs of New Castle, and Roseanne and Kermit Stacy of Glasgow; a stepson and daughter-in-law, Sydney J. and Linda Ingle of Amarillo, Texas; a brother, Thomas W. Harris of Gibbstown, N.J.; a sister, Myrtle Ritterson of Pennsauken, N.J.; seven grandchildren, six great-grandchildren, two step-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.
Service will be 2 p.m. Thursday at the Church of Nazarene, U.S. 113 and Sullivan Place in Milford, where friends may call one hour prior to service.
Burial with military honors will be in the Odd Fellows Cemetery, Milford.
George R. Shoop, 83
DOVER - George R. Shoop of Dover died of heart failure Tuesday, March 3, 1998 in the Christiana Hospital, Newark. He was 83.
Mr. Shoop was born February 10, 1915 in Enola, Pa.
He and his wife owned and operated the Shoop's Family Restaurant in Corry, Pa. He was a store manager for Eckerd Drugs in Wilmington. He was also a store manager for J. B. Hunter Department Store in Wilmington and Virginia Beach. He retired in 1975, and moved back to Dover in 1992 after living in Florida for several years.
He was a member of the Masonic Lodge in Corry, Pa.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Jeanne G. Simpson Shoop on January 13, 1995.
He is survived by a son, Ron Shoop of Newark; a daughter, Donnalou Martin of Lewes, three grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
Services will be 11 a.m. Saturday in the Torbert Funeral Chapel, Reed and Bradford streets, Dover.
Burial will be private at the convenience of the family.
Instead of flowers, the family suggests contributions be sent to the American Heart Association, Kent County Division, 625 S. State St., Dover, DE 19901.
