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Patricia A. "Me-Maw" Needles, 54
BEAR - Patricia A. "Me-Maw" Needles of Bear died peacefully Monday, Nov. 4, 2002, in her home. She was 54.
Ms. Needles was born in Wilmington, daughter of Dorothy T. Bell of Bear and the late Edward T. Bell Jr.
She was a 1966 graduate of DeLaWarr High School and was a proud member of the marching band that marched in the Tournament of Roses Parade.
She was employed as a micrographics supervisor with Data Management Internationale. Previously, she worked for Delmarva Power and Light for 32 years.
In her leisure time, Ms. Needles enjoyed making quilts and stained glass crafts and looked forward to trips to the beach. Most of all, she enjoyed spending time with her family, especially her beloved grandsons.
In addition to her mother, she is survived by her daughter, Kelley L. Needles of Bear; two brothers, Edwin A. Bell and John A. Bell, both of Bear; a sister, Nancy B. Cunningham of Lewes; an aunt, Iva Insley of New Castle; two grandsons, Michael "Scooby-Doo" Needles and Matthew "Mr. Wiggles" Needles; five nieces and eight nephews.
Friends may call from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday in the Spicer-Mullikin Funeral Home, 1000 N. DuPont Parkway, Wilmington Manor, New Castle
A celebration of her life will be held at 11 a.m. Friday in the funeral home.
Burial will be in Gracelawn Memorial Park, 2220 N. DuPont Parkway, Minquadale, New Castle.
Instead of flowers, contributions may be made to The Patricia A. Needles Memorial Scholarship Fund (for the education of her grandsons), c/o PNC Bank, 1 Penn Mart Center, New Castle, DE, 19720.
Elizabeth Mae Parsons, 84
GEORGETOWN - Elizabeth Mae Parsons of Georgetown died Monday, Nov. 4, 2002, in Nanticoke Memorial Hospital. She was 84.
Mrs. Parsons was born in Milford, daughter of the late James B. and Lydia Ann Still Gillespie.
She was a seamstress for Graves Manufacturing and Milford Stitching for many years. She also worked for Bonanza in Millsboro and Delmar.
She enjoyed sewing and doing crafts.
Mrs. Parsons was a member of the Holloway Terrace Baptist Church.
In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by her husband, John R. Parsons and a son, Clifford H. "Mickey" McFadden Jr.
She is survived by three daughters, Elizabeth A. "Betty" Perkins of Thibodaux, La., Nancy L. Weibling of Rehoboth Beach, and Lydia A. Lawson of Georgetown; a son, James A. McFadden of Frederica; a sister, Lillian "Dorothy" Twilley of Bear; 13 grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren.
Services will be 11:45 a.m. Saturday in Gracelawn Memorial Park Chapel, 2220 N. DuPont Parkway, New Castle, where friends may call 45 minutes earlier.
Burial will be in Gracelawan Memorial Park, New Castle.
Arrangements by Berry Short Funeral Services, Milton.
Rachel M. Purner, 70
ELKTON, Md. - Rachel M. Purner of Elkton, formerly of Milford, Del., died Sunday Nov. 3, 2002, in her home. She was 70.
Mrs. Purner had been a registered nurse at Union Hospital in Elkton for many years.
She was a loving and devoted wife, mother and grandmother.
She is survived by her husband, Rodney Purner of Elkton; two daughters and sons-in-law, Janice and Rob Frazer and Becky and Kenny Haggerty, all of Chesapeake City; a son and daughter-in-law, Roger and Mary Purner of Nanticoke; and three grandchildren, John Haggerty, Kenny Haggerty and Jessica Purner.
Graveside service will be 11 Thursday in the Bethel Cemetery, Chesapeake City.
Instead of flowers, contributions may be made to the Northern Chesapeake Hospice Foundation c/o R.T. Foard Funeral Home, 318 George St., Chesapeake City, MD 21915.
Arrangements by R. T. Foard Funeral Home, Chesapeake City.
Paul Richard 'Capt. Dick' Walls Sr., 64
HILLSBORO, Md. - Paul Richard "Capt. Dick" Walls Sr. of Hillsboro died of complications of leukemia Monday, Nov. 4, 2002, in the University of Maryland Medical Center in Baltimore. He was 64.
Mr. Walls was born in Ridgely, son of the late Paul and Sarah Elizabeth Beck Walls.
He had always lived on the Eastern Shore of Maryland and had served in the Maryland Army National Guard.
Mr. Walls had been a heavy-construction quipment operator most of his adult life.
He enjoyed boating, crabbing and fishing on his boat, Gunsmoke. He also enjoyed football and NASCAR races. He will be deeply missed by his family and friends.
Mr. Walls was a member of Greensboro Moose Lodge 2332.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister, Doris M. Hadaway; and a foster brother, Charles Stare.
He is survived by his loving wife of 42 years, Carolyn Walls; a son, Paul Richard "Ricky" Walls of Vancouver, Wash.; two daughters, Debbie Brown of Waldorf and Brenda L. Miller of Denton; two brothers, William J. Walls of Ridgely and James Gordon Walls of Federalsburg; two sisters, Betty J. Diaz of Ridgely and Nancy M. Manley of Houston, Del.; eight grandchildren, Keith Brown, Kimberly Brown, Gina Volk, Dan Volk, Samantha Newcomb, Sarah Newcomb, Joshua Miller and Michael Miller; and many nieces and nephews.
Friends may call from 7 to 9 p.m. Friday in Moore Funeral Home P.A., 12 S. 2nd St., Denton.
Services will be 11 a.m. Saturday in the funeral home.
Burial will be in Ridgely Cemetery in Ridgely.
Instead of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions to Hope Lodge, 636 W. Lexington St., Baltimore, MD 21201.
Willard Robert Blades Sr., 94
YORK, Pa. - Willard Robert Blades Sr. of York, formerly of Baltimore, died of complications of surgery Sunday, Nov. 3, 2002, in Manor Care South Nursing Home in York. He was 94.
Mr. Blades was born Jan. 5, 1908, in Preston, Md., son of the late Nathaniel and Elise Perry Blades.
He was raised in Preston and attended Preston School.
With the start of World War II, Mr. Blades moved to Baltimore and worked at Glenn L. Martin Inc., an aircraft manufacturer, until 1946. For the next 10 years, he was an auto mechanic in Glen Burnie before joining the Hecht Co., where he remained as the sales manager of the toy department until his retirement in 1973.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by four brothers, Melvin Blades, Earl Blades, Harlan Blades and Maurice Blades; and two sisters, Irene Lord and Daisy Blades.
He is survived by a son, Willard R. Blades Jr. of Rehoboth Beach, Del.; two daughters, Virginia M. Franklin of Glen Rock and Carolyn M. Suddoth of Pasadena, Md.; two sisters, Mildred Coulbourne of Preston and Bertha Grunden of Easton, Md.; two brothers, Perry Blades of Still Pond, Md., and Marion Blades of Seaford, Del.; 10 grandchildren; and 16 great-grandchildren.
Friends may call from 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday in Williamson Funeral Home, 311 S. Main St., Federalsburg, Md.
Services will be 11 a.m. Friday in the funeral home. The Rev. William Higgins will officiate.
Burial will be in Junior Order Cemetery, Preston.
Vernon W. Bradley, 58
LINCOLN - Vernon W. Bradley of Lincoln died Saturday, Nov. 2, 2002, in Bayhealth-Milford Memorial Hospital, Milford. He was 58.
Mr. Bradley was born in Upland Pa., son of the late Charles O. and Hannah Conaway Bradley.
He served in the National Guard for 12 years.
He worked as a mail courier for the state of Delaware for 10 years, and for the A.P. Croll Co. for several years.
Mr. Bradley enjoyed hunting and horseracing.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, Francis Bradley.
He is survived by his wife, Catherine Kincade Bradley; a sister and brother-in-law, Brenda and her husband, Tinker Stanton, of Milford; two aunts; two uncles; and seven nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held at the convenience of the family.
Arrangements by Berry Short Funeral Home, Milford.
Bonwyn O. Dudley, 37
WILMINGTON - Bonwyn O. Dudley of Wilmington, formerly of Dover, died of natural causes Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2002, in her home. She was 37.
Mrs. Dudley was born May 19, 1965, in Dover.
She attended William Henry High School in Dover.
Mrs. Dudley enjoyed life to the fullest.
She was preceded in death by her grandparents, William E. Massey and Hazel O. Massey.
She is survived by her mother, Amelia N. Dudley; a son, Miquale O. Dudley of New York; two sisters, Julia Byrd of New York and Melissa Dudley of Dover; two brothers, Glenn Dudley of Wilmington and Raymond Watson of California; several aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins; and a devoted friend, John of Wilmington.
Services will be 1 p.m. Wednesday in Minus Funeral Chapel, Queen Street, Dover, where friends may call two hours earlier.
Burial will be in Sunset Memorial Gardens.
Mark E. Schaeffer, 75
LEWES - Mark E. Schaeffer of Lewes died of natural causes Saturday, May 19, 2001, in Beebe Medical Center, Lewes. He was 75.
Mr. Schaeffer was born in Pine Grove, Pa., son of the late Walter and Carrie Rhorbach Schaeffer.
He was a U.S. Navy veteran of World War II.
He was a salesman for Levitz Furniture in Pottstown, Pa., for many years. He also worked in real estate for Coldwell Banker Rehoboth Resort Realty, retiring in 1982.
Mr. Schaeffer was a member of Reformation Lutheran Church, Milford Endeavor Lodge 17 of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons and Tall Cedars of Lebanon, and was a charter member of the Lewes Moose Lodge and a member of the Harrington Moose Lodge, the Lewes Elks Lodge and the Rehoboth Beach Post of Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States.
He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Josephine "Jo" Schaeffer; three daughters, Kendra Blatzheim of Germantown, Md., Lori Everson of Pasadena, Md., and Diane Schaeffer of Silver Spring, Md.; a son, Ed Schaeffer of Silver Spring; seven grandchildren, Victor Thomas, Barbara Thomas, Valarie Edwards, Bruce Strouse, Woody Schaeffer, Coral Hartigan and Amber Hartigan; eight great-grandchildren; and his loving dog, Peppie.
Service will be 2 p.m. Tuesday at Short Funeral Services, 416 Federal St., Milton, where friends may call two hours prior to the service. A Masonic service will be at 1:30 p.m.
Burial will be in Henlopen Memorial Park, Milton.
C. Elizabeth 'Lib' Thompson, 79
SEAFORD - C. Elizabeth "Lib" Thompson of Seaford died of pneumonia Saturday, May 19, 2001, in Peninsula Regional Medical Center, Salisbury, Md. She was 79.
Mrs. Thompson owned and operated Thompson Apartments in Seaford and operated Thompson Jewelers with her husband.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Donald A. Thompson, in 1976.
She is survived by a son, Donald A. Thompson Jr. of Selbyville; a brother, Archie B. Hill Jr. of Salisbury; three grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.
Graveside service will be 2 p.m. today in Millsboro Cemetery, Millsboro.
Arrangements by Melson Funeral Services, Frankford.
Myrtle Margaret Welch, 88
DOVER - Myrtle Margaret Welch died of natural causes Saturday, May 19, 2001, in Capitol Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, Dover. She was 88.
Miss Welch was born June 8, 1912, in Whiteleysburg, daughter of the late Elmer and Alvertie Hickman Welch.
She graduated from Harrington High School
She was retired from the Division of Motor Vehicles.
Miss Welch, a lifetime resident of Kent County, had lived in Luther Towers in Dover for 11 years.
She is survived by a brother, Raymond Welch Sr. of Milford; a sister, Matilda Evans of Dover; six nieces and nephews; 11 great-nieces and great-nephews; 11 great-great-nieces and great-great-nephews; and six great-great-great-nieces and great-great-great-nephews.
Service will be 2 p.m. Tuesday at Fleegle and Helfenbein Funeral Home, Greensboro, Md., where friends may call one hour prior to the service.
Burial will be in Greensboro Cemetery, Greensboro.
David Elias Engle Sr., 75
LINCOLN - David Elias Engle Sr. of Lincoln died Saturday, May 17, 2003, in Capitol Nursing and Reha-bilitation Center, Dover. He was 75.
Mr. Engle was born in Clem Township, Pa., son of the late William L. and Pearl (Stewart) Engle,
He was a spray-gun repairman for General Motors, Boxwood Road, Newport, retiring in 1986. He worked in the traffic division for the Rehoboth Beach Police Department from 1987 to 1993. He also worked for Masten's Home Center for eight years.
For many years, he was Santa Claus at the Plaza in Milford.
Mr. Engle was a member of St. John's Catholic Church in Milford. He also was a member of United Auto Workers Local 435 in Wilmington, the Milford Senior Center, Good Sam Camping Association, Wagon Master Shanty Shakers and the Sussex County Stroke Club.
He is survived by his wife, Eleanor "Mickey" Engle of Lincoln; a son, David Engle Jr. of Coatesville, Pa.; a daughter, Tina Marie Hall of Gap, Pa., three stepchildren, Ralph L. Fleetwood and Brian J. Fleetwood, both of Wilmington, and Tammy L. Mikeals of Milford; two brothers, James M. Martin Sr. of Christiana, Pa., and Joseph M. Martin of Strausburg, Pa.; nine grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.
Friends may call from 7 to 9 p.m. today in Berry-Short Funeral Home, Milford.
Services will be 9:45 a.m. Thursday in St. John's Catholic Church, Seabury Avenue, Milford. Friends also may call at 1:15 p.m. Thursday in Gracelawn Memorial Park Chapel in New Castle.
Burial will be in the adjoining cemetery.
Instead of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions to Easter Seals, 600 N. Du Pont Highway, Suite 100, Georgetown, DE 19947; or to Delaware Hospice, 911 S. Du Pont Highway, Dover, DE 19901.
Lewis I. Atwell Jr., 80
TOWNSEND - Lewis I. Atwell Jr. of Townsend died Sunday, May 18, 2003, surrounded by his loving family. He was 80.
Mr. Atwell was born and raised in Galena, Md., son of the late Irving and Evelyn Stidham Atwell.
He was a graduate of Galena High School.
He was a World War II veteran, serving in the U.S. Navy aboard the U.S.S. St. Louis CL 49 from 1942 to 1945.
Mr. Atwell retired from civil service of Dover Air Force Base and had worked in the T.M.O. area.
His most cherished times were spending time with his family.
Mr. Atwell was a life member of the U.S.S. St. Louis Association, Sgt. William Lloyd Nelson Post 3792, Middletown, and Chester Lodge 115 in Chestertown. He also served as a trustee of the Old Union Society and was a member of Bethesda United Methodist Church in Middletown.
He is survived by his loving wife of 56 years, Louise Powell Atwell; a son and daughter-in-law, David Lewis and Deborah Atwell of Rockland, Maine; six grandchildren, James T. Frazier Jr., Laurie R. Frazier, Nathanael O. Atwell, Olney P. Atwell, Nicole C. Frazier and Tegan S. Atwell; three sisters, Mildred Wallace of Quarryville, Pa., Virginia Hazlett of Clayton and Elizabeth Ann Reed of Smyrna; and a brother, James P. Atwell.
Friends may call from 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday in Daniels & Hutchison Funeral Home, 212 N. Broad St., Middletown.
Services will be 2 p.m. Friday in the funeral home.
Instead of flowers, the family suggests contributions may be made to the Old Union Historical Society, 536 Bush Mill Road, Middletown, DE 19709; or to Sgt. Wm. Lloyd Nelson Post 3792, Middletown, DE 19709.
Carmillia Yvette Carbin Colson, 41
MILFORD - Carmillia Yvette Carbin Colson died Wednesday, May 14, 2003. She was 41.
Mrs. Colson was born Aug. 6, 1961, in Stuttgart, Germany, daughter of Carol Ann Coverdale of St. Louis and Curtis Carbin of Stanford, Fla.
She attended the Milford School District.
She worked at Bonanza Restaurant in Milford.
Mrs. Colson was interested in drawing, cooking, writing poetry, her children and reading.
She was preceded in death by her stepfather, Charles Sidney Coverdale.
In addition to her parents, she is survived by her husband, Danny Colson of Kansas City, Kan., whom she married on May 1, 1980; seven children, Keyaunta Colson, U.S. Army stationed in Korea, Iesha Colson of Milford, Jawan Colson of Dover, Tahnusha Colson and Shawn Colson of Ellendale, and William Colson and Toriano Colson of Milford; four brothers and two sisters-in-law, Charles Coverdale Jr. of Oklahoma, Jeffery and Lucille Coverdale, U.S. Army stationed in Ft. Riley, Kan., Keith Coverdale of Jacksonville, Fla., and Duane and Carolyn Coverdale of Milford; five sisters and three brothers-in-law, Pamela and Morris Thomas of New Mexico, Keena and Ricky White of Lincoln, Rita and Cleveland Cartwright of Milford, Aisha Carbin of Florida and Temeka Carbin of Germany; her grandmother, Steila Allison of St. Louis; her grandfather, Ben Allen of St. Louis; five grandchildren; and a host of other relatives and friends.
Friends may call from 6 to 8 p.m. today in Bennie Smith Funeral Home, Milford.
Services will be 11 a.m. Thursday in Penecostal Church of God in Lincoln.
The family will receive family and friends for repast at Penecostal Church of God immediately after in-terment at Siloam Cemetery in Slaughter Neck.
Henry T. Heller, 89
DOVER - Henry T. Heller of Dover died Monday, May 19, 2003, in Westminster Nursing Home, Dover. He was 89.
Mr. Heller was born in Brooklyn N.Y., son of the late Frank and Mary Ospermeyer Heller.
He grew up in the Clayton area near Downs Chapel, working on the farm of Sen. Frank Attix. He also worked for Ed Biter beginning in 1941 as alignment-chassis tech for more than 42 years, working on trac-tor-trailer and big equipment in the Dover area.
In the 1950s, he was involved in P.T.A. and held the position of chairman. He was a very civic-minded person. Mr. Heller was an associate member of the FOP, a member of Dover Modern Maturity and Division of Aging.
He was known for his metal sculptures from Rhode Island to California. He made an eagle for the Dover Air Force Base as a symbol of goodwill. He loved reading and gardening and enjoyed sports cars.
Mr. Heller was a member of the Dover Lions Club, where he joined in 1960 and was a past president and secretary for 27 years. He was a chairman of the Lioness and environment cabinet. His awards included the Ralph Helm Award, and the highest award that could be received, the Melvin Jones Award. He had been a member of the Chamber of Commerce since 1958 and received the president appreciation award, was past president of Delaware Auto Sports Club, past chair of the Democrat committee and was a mem-ber of Holy Cross Catholic Church for 61 years.
He was a supervisor of Special Constables.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, Frank Heller; and two sisters, Agnes Liberto and Mary C. Williams.
He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Elsie Roth Heller of Dover; a daughter, Margaret Johnson of Dover; two grandchildren, Kimberly, and her husband, Duncan Lauder, of Kennett Square, Pa., and Adrienne Johnson of Wilmington; and a great-granddaughter, Ashlyn E. Lauder.
Friends may call from 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday in Trader Funeral Home, 12 Lotus St., Dover.
Mass of Christian burial will be 10:30 a.m. Friday in Holy Cross Church, Dover.
Burial will be in Holy Cross Cemetery, Dover.
Instead of flowers, contributions may be made to the Dover Lions Club, P.O. Box 614, Dover, DE 19903.
Ernestine 'Tina' Hunter, 42
CHARLOTTE, N.C. - Ernestine "Tina" Hunter of Charlotte, formerly of Dover, Del., died Friday, May 2, 2003, in her home. She was 42.
Mrs. Hunter was born April 29, 1961, in Delaware, daughter of James Hunter Sr. of Florida and the late Claudia Mae Bray.
She was a member of the Study House of Prayer.
In addition to her father, she is survived by a daughter, Jaclyn Hunter; a son, Reginald Finney; three sis-ters and brothers-in-law, Annie and Kenneth Felder, Bettie and Joseph Bradley and Martha and Glen Hunter; five brothers and two sisters-in-law, Otis and Dollie Taylor, John and Frances Hunter, James Hunter Jr., Ronald Bray and William Bray; and a host of aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.
Services were held in A.S. Grier Memorial Chapel.
William Oscar Adams, 48
DOVER -William Oscar Adams of Dover died Thursday, May 15, 2003, in Dover. He was 48.
Mr. Adams was born Dec. 11, 1954, son of Alice Marie Adams of Denton, Md., and the late Clayton Adams.
He was educated in the Caroline County, Md., public school system.
He was employed at Nanticoke Homes, Greenwood.
Mr. Adams attended Lighthouse Church of Milford and Bethel United Methodist Church of Federalsburg.
In addition to his mother, he is survived by his wife, April Adams of Dover; a son, William Oscar Adams of Federalsburg; two girls that he raised, Terri Riggleman of Laurel and Lori Covey of Delmar, Md.; a stepdaughter, Satika Heyliger of Dover; a granddaughter, India Adams; a step-granddaughter, Chesla; two sisters, Linda Hooper of Lanham, Md., and Patricia A. Adams of Denton; his mother-in law, Gloria Johnson, and father-in-law, J.C. Johnson; a brother-in-law, Russell Johnson; two aunts, Mattie Austin and Madeline Christopher; three nieces, Jacquela Horsey of Federalsburg, Shi Adams of Denton and Okesha Rodrigues of Brooklyn, N.Y.; a daughter-in-law, Tamara Penn; a nephew, Melvin L. Brown Jr. of Lanham; three great-nephews, Jamar, Isaiah and Justin; two great-nieces, Kashia and Janel; and a host of aunts, cousins and friends.
Services will be 1 p.m. today in Bethel United Methodist Church, Federalsburg, Md., where friends may call two hours earlier.
Burial will be in Federal Hill Cemetery, Federalsburg.
Arrangements by Bennie Smith Funeral Home, Seaford.
