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Robert L. Fester, 74
DOVER - Robert L. Fester of Dover died Sunday, Feb. 2, 2003, in Bayhealth-Kent General Hospital, Dover. He was 74.
Mr. Fester was born May 26, 1928, in Bellevue, Pa., son of the late Joseph H. Fester and Edna P. Owens Fester.
He served in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean and Vietnam wars, retiring after 23 years as a master sergeant.
He loved working with wood and making things for his family and friends in his little shop.
Mr. Fester was a life member of the Disabled American Veterans and had volunteered for Special Olympics.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two brothers, Bill Fester and Ed Fester; and three sisters, Virginia Swatsfigure, Ida Mae Mules and Edna Harper.
He is survived by his wife of 47 years, Margaret of Dover; three sons, William F. Fester of Biloxi, Miss., Robert K. Fester of Milford and Timothy M. Fester of Dover; a daughter, Edna F. Trosclair of Biloxi; three grandchildren, Curtis and Natalie Trosclair and Danielle Herrman, all of Biloxi; and a great-grandson, Christopher Herrman of Van Cleve, Miss.
Friends may call from 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday in Torbert Funeral Chapel, 61 S. Bradford St., Dover.
Services will be 11 a.m. Thursday in the funeral Home.
Burial will be in Sharon Hills Memorial Park, Dover.
Instead of flowers, the family suggests contributions be made to Kent Sussex Industries, 258 N. Rehoboth Blvd., Milford, DE 19963.
Pauline H. Harding, 85
EARLEVILLE, Md. - Pauline H. Harding of Earleville died Saturday, Feb. 1, 2003, in her home. She was 85.
Mrs. Harding was born in Preston, daughter of the late Wilhelm and Hannah Nagel Gadow.
She was a retired teacher's aide, spending 17 years with Cecil County public schools. She also drove a school bus for several years.
Mrs. Harding was past president of Gold Finger Garden Club. She was a line dancer for the Middletown-Odessa-Townsend Senior Center, Middletown, Del. She was very active with Lower Cecil County Senior Center, where she enjoyed arranging bus trips and enjoyed helping to prepare their Tuesday meeting meal. She was very active during her late husband's tenure with the Cecilton Lions Club, traveling throughout District 22B and internationally.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, George R. Harding Sr., in 1996.
She is survived by two sons, George R. Harding Jr. of Wilmington, Del., and William E. Harding of Ventnor, N.J.; a sister, Agnes Nero of Rehoboth Beach, Del.; a brother, Frederick Gadow of Preston; seven grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.
Services will be 2 p.m. Thursday in Fellows, Helfenbein & Newnam Funeral Home, 226 E. Main St., Cecilton, where friends may call one hour earlier.
Burial will be in Zion Cemetery, Cecilton.
Instead of flowers, contributions may be made to Mount Olivet United Methodist Church, c/o Fellows, Helfenbein and Newnam Funeral Home, P.O. Box 342, Cecilton, MD 21913.
Hazel Parks Kelly, 92
CHESTERTOWN, Md. - Hazel Parks Kelly of Chestertown died Saturday, Feb. 1, 2003, in her home. She was 92.
Mrs. Kelly was born in Baltimore, daughter of the late Lee and Eva DeBaugh Parks.
She worked for West Chemical Co. in Baltimore, retiring in 1969.
Mrs. Kelly enjoyed baking desserts, fishing, board games, especially Yahtzee, and watching "Young and the Restless." She also enjoyed knitting and was very skilled, creating beautiful clothing for her friends and family.
She is survived by a son, Richard Kelly of Perry Hall; two daughters and a son-in-law, Judy Kelly of Chestertown and Barbara K. and Ryan Fisher of Parkville; a brother, Phillip Parks of Westminster; and two grandchildren, Christopher L. Kelly of Perry Hall and Timothy W. Kelly of Memphis, Tenn.
Memorial services will be held at a later date.
Instead of flowers, the family suggests contributions be made to Chester River Home Care and Hospice, 6602 Church Hill Road, Suite 300, Chestertown, MD 21620.
Arrangements by Fellows, Helfenbein & Newnam Funeral Home, P.A., Chestertown.
Ann Wallis Manlove, 85
ODESSA - Ann Wallis Manlove of Odessa died peacefully Saturday, Feb. 1, 2003, in her home. She was 85.
She was preceded in death by her husband, William W. Manlove Sr.; and a son, William Manlove Jr.
She is survived by a son and daughter-in-law, W. Eugene and Jane Manlove of Odessa; a daughter, Nancy Ann Ellingsworth of Odessa; a son-in-law who helped care for her, Charles P. McClafferty of Odessa; a daughter-in-law, Helene Manlove of Asburn, Va.; seven grandchildren; and 13 great grandchildren.
Services will be 1 p.m. Thursday in Daniels and Hutchison Funeral Home, 212 N. Broad St., Middletown, where friends may call one hour earlier.
Burial will be in Warwick Cemetery, Warwick, Md.
Instead of flowers, contributions may be made St. Paul's United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 253, Odessa, DE 19730.
Ruth Pat Crow Miller, 87
GEORGETOWN, Md. - Ruth Pat Crow Miller of Georgetown died Friday, Jan. 31, 2003, in Union Hospital, Elkton. She was 87.
Mrs. Miller was born July 30, 1915 in Williamstown, W.Va., daughter of the late Charles and Ida Williams Welch.
After her marriage to Russell Crow, she was co-pilot and stewardess for a transport service that they operated. They owned and operated Bay Marine Construction, a pile driving business on the Upper Chesapeake Bay. They also owned a helicopter, which did crop dusting for area farms and nurseries. Mr. Crow died in 1964.
In 1972 she married Paul Miller Sr. and they lived between Georgetown and Rock Hall until his death in 1987.
Her generosity towards individuals and organization was well known. She loved music and entertaining.
Mrs. Miller was a member of Galena Busy Bee's Galena Homemakers, Olivet United Methodist Church, its women's society and was a Sunday school teacher.
She is survived by a stepson, Paul Miller Jr. of Millersville; a brother-in-law, Neil Crow of Moundsville, W.Va.; dear friends, George Drummond Sr. of Georgetown and Shirley Hollingsworth of Cecilton; and family in West Virginia.
Services will be 11 a.m. Saturday in Olivet United Methodist Church, Galena, where friend may call one hour earlier.
Burial will be at a later date.
Instead of flowers, contributions may be made to Olivet United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 107, Galena, MD 21635.
Arrangements by Galena Funeral Home of Stephen L. Schaech, Galena.
Donald F. Mood Jr., 50
SMYRNA - Donald F. Mood Jr. of Smyrna died Sunday, Feb. 2, 2003, in Bayhealth-Kent General Hospital, Dover. He was 50.
Mr. Mood was born June 16, 1952, in Dover, the son of Donald F. Mood Sr. and Ruth Newnum Mood of Smyrna.
He was a self-employed truck driver for several years before retiring due to disability.
He was an exceptional pool shooter and enjoyed hunting, fishing and crabbing.
Mr. Mood was an active member of the Sons of the American Legion and a driver for David C. Harrison Post 14 American Legion ambulance service.
In addition to his parents, he is survived by a son, Michael Mood of Newark; a daughter, Christy Mood of Dover; four brothers, Mark Mood, Chris Mood and Michael Mood, all of Smyrna, and Jeff Mood of Germany; 12 step-grandchildren; and his best friend and loving companion of 10 years, Judy Blanchfield.
Services will be 11 a.m. Thursday in St. Polycarps Roman Catholic Church, 135 Ransom Lane, Smyrna, where friends may call one hour earlier.
Burial will be in Glenwood Cemetery, Smyrna.
Instead of flowers, the family suggests contributions be made to the American Diabetes Association, Community Service Building, 100 W. 10th St., Suite 1002, Wilmington, DE 19801.
Arrangements by Faries Funeral Directors, Inc., Smyrna.
Harriet M. Noble, 65
MILFORD - Harriet M. Noble of Milford died Saturday, Feb. 1, 2003, peacefully surrounded by family and friends, in the home of her daughter and son-in-law, Linda and Kevin Donovan. She was 65.
Ms. Noble was a dedicated employee at Bayhealth-Milford Memorial Hospital for 17 years.
She enjoyed cooking and spending time with her grandchildren. She was always eager to lend a hand to anyone that needed help.
Ms. Noble was a member of Calvary United Methodist Church and the Ladies Auxiliary of Carlisle Fire Co.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Russell and Florena Cartwright; a granddaughter, Amanda Lynn McBroom; and two sisters, Ruth Scott and Dorothy Wyzcinski.
In addition to her daughter and son-in-law, she is survived by two additional daughters and sons-in-law, Kathy and Joe Malago Jr. of Dover and Cindy and Rod McBroom of Lincoln; two sisters and brothers-in-law, Doris and Tony Barns and Linda and David Rogers, all of Trenton, N.J.; a brother and sister-in-law, Russell and Gloria Cartwright of Groveville, N.J.; four grandchildren, Jason Malago, Alice McBroom, Russell Noble and Patrick Donovan; and several nieces, nephews and many loving friends.
Services will be 6:30 p.m. Thursday in Berry-Short Funeral Home, 119 N.W. Front St., Milford, where friends may call from 4 to 6:30 p.m.
Contributions may be made to the Ladies Auxiliary, Carlisle Fire Co., P.O. Box 131, Milford, DE 19963.
Robert T. Lederman, 65
LEWES - Robert T. Lederman of Lewes, formerly of Cheltenham, Pa., died Saturday, Feb. 14, 2004, in the Thomas Jefferson Hospital in Philadelphia. He was 65.
Mr. Lederman is survived by his wife, Judith; five children; and eight grandchildren.
Services will be 1 p.m. Thursday in the Chapel of Melson Funeral Services, Long Neck, where friends may call one hour earlier.
Burial will be in Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemetery South, Millsboro.
Instead of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Tunnell Cancer Center, 424 Savannah Road, Lewes, DE 19958.
Marie S. R. Potter
LEWES - Marie S. R. Potter of Lewes died Sunday, Feb. 15, 2004, in her home.
In 1961, she married Shelton Potter and returned to live in the United States from England.
Mrs. Potter loved her garden and gardening and for many years arranged flowers for the Corner Cupboard.
She was preceded in death by her first husband, R.A. N. Hillyer, in 1956; and her second husband, Shelton Potter.
She is survived by a son, Nicholas of Northfield, N.J. and a daughter, Priscilla of Philadelphia.
Memorial services will be 2 p.m. Saturday, March 6, in St. James Anglican Church, 23269 Park Avenue, Georgetown.
Burial will be at a later date in St. Thomas Church Cemetery, Whitemarsh, Pa.
Instead of flowers, the family suggests contributions to St. James Anglican Church, Georgetown.
Arrangements by Parsell Funeral Home and Crematorium, Lewes.
Elinor M. Jones, 85
SMYRNA - Elinor M. Jones of Smyrna, formerly of Klamath Falls, Ore., died Thursday, Feb. 12, 2004, in Green Valley Pavilion, Smyrna. She was 85.
Mrs. Jones was born in Fairmont, N.D., daughter of the late Eugene and Ella Prall. She moved to Canby, Ore., with her family as a young girl, and later settled in Tacoma, Wash.
She had a long career with the U.S. Civil Service in Tacoma that spanned from 1953 until 1980, when she retired.
Mrs. Jones was an animal lover.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Robert Jones, in 1973.
She is survived by two sons, Larry Roseknow of Canby, Ore., and Llyn LaBuff of Smyrna; four grandchildren, Edward LaBuff, of Portland, Ore., Steven LaBuff of Klamath Falls, Richard LaBuff of North Bend, Ore., and Danielle LaBuff of Smyrna; and a step-granddaughter, Kristel Leske of Smyrna.
Services and burial will be private and held in Oregon.
Arrangements by Matthews-Bryson Funeral Home, Smyrna.
Betsy Glanding Monroe, 50
LEWES - Betsy Glanding Monroe of Lewes died after a long and courageous battle with cancer Saturday, Feb. 14, 2004, in her home. She was 50.
Mrs. Monroe was born in Wilmington.
She graduated from Brandywine High School in 1971 and from the New York School of Interior Design with many honors and awards in 1975.
Mrs. Monroe worked for Mitchell Associates in Wilmington from 1975 to 1978, then was employed by Webster Furniture in Rehoboth Beach for 14 years until she retired as the merchandising manager in March 2003. She loved decorating model homes throughout the resort area.
She loved reading, gardening and traveling with her family. Her special talent was custom hand painting tiles. Many of her works are found throughout saltwater Sussex County.
Mrs. Monroe had a joyous life and a wonderful sense of humor which she enjoyed sharing with everyone. Not only did she love life, but she lived it to the fullest. She loved her family and many friends and cherished every moment with them.
She was preceded in death by a son, Keith Glanding Monroe, in 1995.
She is survived by her husband of 27 years, Clay A. Monroe Jr.; two daughters, Brooke M. Lowe, and her husband, Stacy, and Kate A. Monroe, and her fiancé, Geoffrey S. Varell, all of Lewes; her mother, Marjorie A. Glanding of Rehoboth Beach; a sister and brother-in-law, Barbara L. and John Pelly of Cridersville, Ohio; a brother and friend, Kendall W. Glanding and Karen A. Adams of Middletown and Lewes; and many wonderful family members and friends.
Friend may call from 6 to 9 p.m. Tuesday in Bethel United Methodist Church, Fourth and Market streets, Lewes.
Services will be 1 p.m. Wednesday in the church, where friends may also call one hour earlier.
Burial will be in Bethel Methodist Cemetery, Lewes.
Instead of flowers, Mrs. Monroe requested memorial gifts be given to Lewes Public Library, Book Selection Fund, 111 Adams St., Lewes, DE 19958.
Arrangements by Parsell Funeral Homes and Crematorium, Atkins-Lodge Chapel, Lewes.
Benjamin Franklin Sawyer III, 65
FELTON - Benjamin Franklin Sawyer III of Felton died Saturday, Feb. 14, 2004, in Bayhealth-Milford Memorial Hospital. He was 65.
Mr. Sawyer was born June 24, 1938, in Chester, Pa. He had lived in Parkside, Pa., for many years before moving to Felton 10 years ago.
He was employed as a master technician for Delaware Auto Sales and had also worked for Kent County Motors and Scott Oldsmobile in Wynnwood, Pa.
Mr. Sawyer was a member of First Baptist Church of Milford and was a Master Mason with the Masonic Order in Pennsylvania and Tennessee.
He is survived by his wife, Joyce C. (Palmer) Sawyer; a daughter, Donna-Lynne M. Ashby-Clendening of Milford; a son, Jeffrey Keith Sawyer of Jacksonville, Fla.; and three grandchildren, Samantha Lynne Ashby and Frankie D. Clendening Jr., both of Milford, and Megan Quinn of White Cross, Ga.
Services will be 11 a.m. Wednesday in First Baptist Church of Milford, 6062 Old Shawnee Road, Milford, where friends may call one hour earlier.
Burial will be in Chester Rural Cemetery, Chester, Pa.
Instead of flowers, contributions may be made to Berry-Short Funeral Home, Milford, to help defray the funeral expenses.
Steven J. Shinn, 33
ELLENDALE - Steven J. Shinn of Ellendale died Friday, Feb. 13, 2004, in Christiana Care-Christiana Hospital, Newark. He was 33.
Mr. Shinn was born in Chester, Pa., son of Louis Shinn Jr. and Anne Spohn Paterek. He was raised in Linwood, Pa., and had lived in Ellendale for three years.
He attended Chichester (Pa.) High School.
He was a C&C machine operator for CS Industries in Ocean View for the past year. Previously he worked for City Steel in Claymont as a two high mill operator for 10 years.
Mr. Shinn enjoyed fishing with his father, music, dancing and detailing cars. He was a fan of the N.C. Tar Heels basketball team and the Eagles football team.
He was preceded in death by a brother, Louis Shinn III, Oct. 30, 1988.
In addition to his parents, he is survived by his wife of 11 years, Valerie A. (Cummings) Shinn; a son, Steven J. Shinn Jr.; three daughters, Nicole Shinn, Stephanie Shinn and Amber Cummings; three sisters, Betty Ann Alexander, Mary Alexander and Victoria Hess; and several nieces and nephews.
Services will be 8 p.m. Wednesday in Robert Moreland Funeral Home, Ninth and Main streets, Trainer, Pa., where friends may call two hours earlier.
Burial will be private and at the convenience of the family.
Susan J. Watson, 48
FELTON - Susan J. Watson of Felton died Saturday, Feb. 14, 2004, in her daughter Jody Hill's home. She was 48.
Mrs. Watson was born Feb. 10, 1956, in Wilmington, N.C., daughter of Mary Manamon Yun of Las Vegas, Nev., and the late Martin Yun Sr.
She worked at Kent General Hospital (now part of Bayhealth) in the radiology department until 1994.
Mrs. Watson enjoyed working with crafts and making artificial flower arrangements. She also enjoyed being with her family, especially her granddaughters, and her dogs and cats.
In addition to her father, she was preceded in death by her brother, Dale Yun; and her niece, Stefanie Kucek.
In addition to her mother, she is survived by her husband of 20 years, Edward; three daughters, Jody Hill of Frederica, Jill Watson of Dover and Jennifer Watson of Michigan; two granddaughters, Ashley Renee Hill and Amanda Hill, both of Frederica; four brothers and three sisters-in-law, Michael and Tina Yun of Dover, Martin Yun Jr. of New Mexico, James and Susan Yun of Lewes and Mark and Angela Yun of Felton; and two sisters and a brother-in-law, Cynthia and Buddy McNatt and Debbie Bonanno, all of Las Vegas.
Services will be 1 p.m. Wednesday in Torbert Funeral Chapel South, 1145 E. Lebanon Road, Dover, where friends may call one hour earlier.
Burial will be in Odd Fellows Cemetery, Camden.
Capt. Jerry A. Blakeslee Sr., 64
MILTON - Capt. Jerry A. Blakeslee Sr. of Milton died, after a brief illness, Monday, March 22, 2004, in his home. He was 64.
Mr. Blakeslee was born in Pitman, N.J., son of the late Raymond and Carrie Mutzer Blakeslee.
He was a self-employed charter-boat captain on the "Grizzly" and also worked for many canning companies in the area.
Mr. Blakeslee was a member of the Milton Volunteer Fire Department for 37 years and the Improved Order of Redmen, Indian River Tribe 37, and attended the Crossroads Community Church in Bridgeville. He founded the Delaware Captains Association along with his friend, Capt. Elmer Thomas. He was on the Delaware Sea Grant Advisory Committee in Lewes, Delaware Artificial Reef Committee and the Tautog Board. He was involved in boating-safety and fisheries-management issues. He was a former member of the Fire Patrol in Pitman, and was their chief engineer.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, Ronald Lee Blakeslee.
He is survived by his wife, Betty Ann Madden Blakeslee; four daughters and four sons-in-law, Donna and Kenny Clark of Jefferson Crossroads, between Milford and Milton, Carol and Douglas Mast of Greenwood, Tammy and John Burton of Harbeson and Barbara and Carey Evans of Joy Beach, near Lewes; a son and daughter-in-law, Jerry Blakeslee Jr. and Jeanne Blakeslee of Milton; a brother, Robert J. Blakeslee of Pitman; four sisters, Janet Gagne and Linda Burns, both of Woodbury, N.J., Sandy Powers of Milton and Susan Goetz of San Diego; 14 grandchildren; and a goddaughter.
Services will be 2 p.m. Saturday in the Milton Fire Hall, Front Street, where friends may call three hours earlier.
Instead of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions to Milton Volunteer Fire Department, Front Street, Milton, DE 19968.
Annie Mae Branham, 88
SEAFORD - Annie Mae Branham of Seaford died Sunday, March 21, 2004, in the Peninsula Regional Medical Center, Salisbury, Md. She was 88.
Mrs. Branham was born Aug. 14, 1915, in Birmingham, Ala., the youngest of four children of the late George and Amelia Shuford. As a teenager, she resided in Ohio while assisting one of her sisters and attending high school and raised three children in Wheelwright, Ky. After undergoing heart surgery in 1998, she sold her home in Wheelwright and moved to Delaware, spending a significant amount of time in Florida as well.
She graduated from McKinely High School in Canton, Ohio and was proficient in accounting and bookkeeping. She was an active teen and enjoyed playing basketball.
Mrs. Branham was a professional seamstress as demonstrated in many of the homes and professional buildings in Wheelwright, from the 1940s to the late 1970s. She was also active in the Girl Scouts and worked as a librarian in the Wheelwright Library.
She was an avid reader and loved to write poetry and admire her garden. Some of her poetry has been printed and bound by her children as a legacy to her heirs.
Mrs. Branham was an active member of Lighthouse Temple Pentecostal Church, where she served as the church clerk and a Sunday School teacher. She was a testimony of God's faithfulness. In the Delaware area, she worshipped at New Life Apostolic Church of Salisbury. When visiting in Florida, she worshipped at The Penecostals of Gainesville.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Gordon W. Branham, May 24, 1973.
She is survived by a son and a daughter-in-law, Gordon W. Jr. and Judith Branham of Annapolis, Md.; two daughters and two sons-in-law, Gwendolyn and Isaac L. Johnson III of Florida and Corrie and Joseph F. King Sr. of Seaford; 10 grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and in-laws.
Services will be 1 p.m. Thursday in the New Life The Apostolic Church, Mt. Herman Road, Salisbury, where friends may to call one hour earlier.
Burial will be in Davidson Memorial Gardens, Kentucky.
Instead of flowers, the family suggests contributions be made to the Laurel School District, PLD Playground Fund, Laurel Board of Education, 1160 S. Central Ave., Laurel, DE 19956 or to NLAC Children Outreach Van Fund, 31193 Mt. Herman Road, Salisbury, MD 21804.
Arrangements by Bennie Smith Funeral Home, Dover.
