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Ruth Gruwell Reed, 80
DOVER -Ruth Gruwell Reed of Dover, and formerly of Odessa, died Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2003, in Capitol Healthcare in Dover, where she had been a patient for the past several years. She was 80.
Mrs. Reed retired after 20 years with A&P stores in Middletown and Smyrna.
She was a member of St. Paul's Methodist Church in Odessa, and also was a lifetime member of the Ladies Auxiliary to the Odessa Fire Co. and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3792 in Middletown.
She was preceded in death by a son, James; a grandson, Steve; and three brothers, Francis, Merrill and Frank Jr.
She is survived by her husband of more than 61 years, George W. Reed of Odessa; a daughter and son-in-law, Frances and Larry Foley of Odessa; a grandson, Glen Foley; two great-granddaughters, Ashley and Makenzi; a sister, Hazel Guessford of Townsend; two brothers and two sisters-in-law, Ray and Barbara Gruwell of Odessa and Charles and Betty Gruwell of Smyrna; and many nieces and nephews.
Services and burial will be private.
The family suggests memorial contributions to St. Paul's Methodist Church, P.O. Box 253, Odessa, DE 19730.
Arrangements by Daniels and Hutchison Funeral Homes, Middletown.
Blanche Martel Smith, 81
CHESTERTOWN, Md. - Blanche Martel Smith of Chestertown, and formerly of North Haven, Conn., died Friday, Jan. 31, 2003, in Kent & Queen Anne's Hospital, Chestertown. She was 81.
Mrs. Smith was born March 19, 1921, in New Haven, Conn., daughter of the late Dona and Agnes Grenier Martel.
She was the owner and operator of the former Smitty's Drive-In of North Haven for 50 years.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a grandchild.
She is survived by two daughters, Bonnie Lee Gurbel of Chestertown and Judith Louise Inguaggiato of North Branford, Conn.; five grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; and two great-great grandchildren.
Services will be 2 p.m. Thursday in North Haven Funeral Rome, 36 Washington Ave., North Haven, where friends may call three hours earlier.
Burial will be in All Saints Cemetery, North Haven.
Local arrangements by Fellows, Helfenbein and Newnam Funeral Home P.A., Chestertown.
Mary Elizabeth Taliercio, 78
CHESTERTOWN, Md. - Mary Elizabeth Taliercio of Chestertown died Monday, Feb. 3, 2003, in Magnolia Hall Nursing Center in Chestertown, Md. She was 78.
Mrs. Taliercio was born Feb. 4, 1924, in New York, daughter of the late Raymond C. and Lena Hodge Dickens.
She was a graduate of Odessa Central High School in New York and attended Nazarene College in Idaho.
She was a commercial artist. While working with Hasbro Toy Co. in Rhode Island, she designed the cover for the GI Joe action figure. She also worked as a commercial artist for the Tampa Tribune and the St. Petersburg Times in Florida.
Mrs. Taliercio was a working pilot and flew with the Civil Air Patrol in Alabama. She loved horses.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Ralph Michael Taliercio, in 1972.
She is survived by three daughters, Lisa George of Chestertown, Kathleen Wright of Albany, N.Y., and Paula Cain of Dallas; a brother, Raymond Dickens of Ithaca, N.Y.; and two granddaughters, Lee Daniels and Jenni Watters.
Memorial services will be 3 p.m. Sunday in Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses on Maryland 544 near Chestertown.
Burial will be private.
Instead of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions to Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses, 2020 McGinnes Road, Chestertown, MD 21620.
Arrangements by Fellows, Helfenbein and Newnam Funeral Home, Chestertown.
Carrie Tingle, 87
MILTON - Carrie Tingle of Milton died Saturday, Feb. 1, 2003, in Green Valley Terrace, Millsboro. She was 87.
Miss Tingle was born in Frankford, daughter of the late Robert and Maude Baylis Tingle.
She worked in the home healthcare field as a caregiver.
She is survived by a sister, Martha McMillan of Millsboro and several nieces and nephews.
Services will be 11 a.m. Saturday in Watson Funeral Home, 211 Washington St., Millsboro, where friends may call two hours earlier. The Rev. Annie Jane Custis will officiate.
Burial will be in Zoar Golden Acres Cemetery, Selbyville.
Clair Joseph Tracy, 80
EARLEVILLE, Md. - Clair Joseph Tracy of Earleville died Sunday, Feb. 2, 2003, in Christiana Hospital, Newark, Del. He was 80.
Mr. Tracy was born in Philadelphia, son of the late Clair Sr. and Helen Leonard Tracy.
He had a distinguished career in pump sales for M.D. Pneumatics, retiring in 1987.
Mr. Tracy enjoyed gardening, drawing, reading and working on family genealogy.
In addition to his parents, was preceded in death by a sister.
He is survived by his wife of 17 years, Sharon M. Tracy; two sons, Michael Tracy of Marion, Iowa, and Kevin J. Tracy of Akron, Ohio; a daughter, Patricia L. Watdrip of Athens, Ga; a stepson, Ernest Becton; a brother, Harry Tracy of New Ringgold; and six grandchildren.
Services will be 11 a.m. Thursday in St. Dennis Catholic Church, Galena, where friends and family may call after 9:30 a.m.
Burial will be private.
Memorial contributions may be made in his memory to St. Charles Borromeo Seminary, c/o Clair Tracy Memorial Fund, 100 E. Wynnewood Ave., Wynnewood, PA 19096.
Arrangements by Fellows, Helfenbein and Newnam funeral Home, P.A., Cecilton.
Mary Elizabeth Wiggins Warner, 96
BRIDGEVILLE - Mary Elizabeth Wiggins Warner of Bridgeville died Sunday, Feb. 2, 2003, in Genesis Seaford Center, Seaford. She was 96.
Mrs. Warner was born Aug. 26, 1906, in Denton, Md., daughter of the late John Wiggins and Mary Ellwagner Wiggins.
She was a produce farmer for many years, as well as a homemaker.
Mrs. Warner loved cats and especially loved spending time with her family and grandchildren.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, whom she married June 25, 1933, James Warner, on Jan. 19, 1991; a daughter, Mary Ellen Battin; a sister, Hilda Blondheim; and a nephew she raised, Douglas Lowe.
She is survived by a son and daughter-in-law, James R. and Betty Warner of Greenwood; 11 grandchildren, 22 great-grandchildren; and several great-great-grandchildren.
Graveside memorial service will be 1:30 p.m. Saturday in Bloomery Cemetery, near Federalsburg, Md. The Rev. Glenn Lyburn will officiate.
Instead of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in her memory to the American Cancer Society, c/o Mrs. Behlke, P.O. Box 505, Denton, MD 21629.
James Howard 'Jim' Whaley, 75
CAMBRIDGE, Md. - James Howard "Jim" Whaley of Cambridge, formerly of Peppers Corner near Millville, Del., died of respiratory failure Thursday, Jan. 30, 2003, in Mallard Bay Rehabilitation Center, Cambridge. He was 75.
Mr. Whaley was born Nov. 18, 1927, in Showell, son of the late Thornton Showell and Bessie Whaley Purnell.
He attended Gumfarm School in Showell. He quit school in the sixth grade to work in the fields to help his mother provide for his siblings. Reaching adulthood, he married and became a father. He farmed for the late Joseph West and years later for Raymond Bank until he retired in 1991. He was a very hard and conscientious worker.
Mr. Whaley enjoyed boxing, pitching horseshoes, wrestling and baseball. He was very competitive.
He attended the Temple of Deliverance in Cambridge, with his daughter, Sheila Whaley of Cambridge, until he was physically unable. On Nov. 5, 2002, while hospitalized, he surrendered his life to the Lord Jesus Christ. Each visit with him, in spite of his illness, left you inspired and encouraged. The peace that rested upon him as he flashed his big smile reassured one that God can and will answer prayer.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife of 39 years, Anna Bell Smullen Whaley, in 1990; a daughter, Grace Milbourne; a son-in-law, Donald Williams; three grandchildren, Todd and Shannon Whaley and Jaquan Stanley; and five brothers, Charles, John, Clarence, Andrew and Jessie Whaley.
In addition to his daughter, he is survived by 17 additional children, 10 sons, James of Whaleyville, Carl of Salisbury, Carlton of Campbelltown, Monzie of Fruitland, Robert of Selbyville, Thomas of Millsboro, Del., Sherron of Rehoboth Beach, Del., Angelo, Howard and Thornton Whaley, all of Georgetown, Del.; seven daughters, Joann Williams, Patricia Kasinath and Felicia Sheppard, all of Seaford, Del., Heidi Brown of Millville, Del., Stephanie Whaley of Rehoboth Beach, Tina Whaley of Georgetown and Sheila Whaley of Cambridge; three daughters-in-law, Evelyn Whaley of Whaleyville, Ann Whaley of Georgetown and Eleanor Whaley of Rehoboth Beach; three sons-in-law, Charles Kasinath and Gerald Sheppard, both of Seaford, and Noah Brown of Millville; four brothers, Preston, William, Norwood and Paul Whaley, all of Berlin; three sisters, Elizabeth Lennard and Emma Foreman, both of Berlin, and Betty Johnson of Dover, Del.; five sisters-in-law, Glendola, Catherine, Ethel and Mary Whaley, all of Berlin, and Helen Harmon of Vienna; a brother-in-law, Orville Smullen of Seattle; two half-brothers, Alton Moore of Bishop and Thornton Showell of Rochester, N.Y.; three half-sisters, Nancy Benson of Sicklerville, N.J., Peggy Johnson of Campbelltown and Frances Williams of Bishop; an uncle, Lee Mumford of Bishop; his stepmother, Beatrice Mumford of Berlin; 87 grandchildren; and many great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins and a host of friends.
Services will be 1 p.m. Saturday in Jesus Is Lord Church of Deliverance in Georgetown, where friends may call two hours earlier. The Rev. Dr. Bonnie Bigelow will officiate.
Burial will be in Union Wesley United Methodist Church, Clarksville, Del.
Arrangements by Young's Funeral Home, Seaford, Del.
Faith Anne Rust, 3 months, 28 days
GREENWOOD - Faith Anne Rust of Greenwood died Wednesday, May 12, 2004, in Nanticoke Memorial Hospital in Seaford. She was 3 months, 28 days old.
Faith was the daughter of Rodger Lynn Rust and Amy Anne Willey.
In addition to her parents, she is survived by two brothers, Kolby Willey and Seth Rust; maternal grandparents, Barbara and Rick Brown of Laurel; paternal grandparents. Robin Dennis and Rodger Rust Sr., both of Greenwood; maternal great-grandparents, Jean and James Brown of Baltimore; paternal great-grandparents, Raymond and Nancy Dennis of Greenwood; an aunt, Jennifer Rust of Seaford; two uncles, Jason Rust of Greenwood and Travis Brown of Laurel; and many cousins who loved her.
Services will be 11 a.m. Monday in Parsell Funeral Homes and Crematorium, Hardesty Chapel, 202 Laws St., Bridgeville, where friends may call at 10:30 a.m.
Burial will be in Bridgeville Cemetery, Bridgeville
Elsie Beatrice Schlegel, 101
DENTON, Md. - Elsie Beatrice Schlegel died Friday, May 14, 2004, in her home. She was 101.
Mrs. Schlegel was born Sept. 28, 1902, in Milton, Del., she was the daughter of the late George Edward Brittingham and Sallie Walls Brittingham. She had lived in Denton since 1917.
During World War II she worked in the Chestertown munitions plant.
She was a cafeteria worker at Caroline High School in Denton, a baby sitter, a cafeteria worker at the Denton Armory for Upper Shore Aging and had worked for the Denton Women's Club.
Mrs. Schlegel was a lifetime member of the Denton Volunteer Fire Company Auxiliary.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Alfred Schlegel, Dec. 15, 1960; a daughter-in-law, Margaret Katherine Porter.
She is survived by her only son, Mervin Floyd Porter and his wife Mary Alice of Edgemere; three grandchildren, Kathryn Beatrice Porter of Baltimore, Mervin Milton Porter of Westminster, and Charles Walter Porter of San Diego, Calif.; four great grandchildren; and two faithful friends, M. Charlean Thomas and George Cooper.
Services will be 2 p.m. Tuesday in the Moore Funeral Home, P.A., 12 S. Second St., in Denton where friends may call two hours earlier.
Burial will be in the Denton Cemetery.
Instead of flowers, the family requests memorial donations to the Denton Volunteer Fire Co. Auxiliary, 400 South Fifth Ave., Denton, MD 21629.
Reginald Eugene Thomas, 45
CENTREVILLE, Md. - Reginald Eugene Thomas of Centreville died Tuesday, May 11, 2004, in his home. He was 45.
Mr. Thomas was born Oct. 10, 1958, son of Lloyd and Anna Thomas of Goldsboro.
He was a 1977 graduate of Queen Anne's County High School.
Mr. Thomas enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps upon graduation, serving seven years and for fourteen years in the National Guards.
He was currently employed by the Maryland Department of General Services in Annapolis.
He was a devoted son and brother who loved his family and went out of the way to help others. He was a father figure and mentor to his numerous nieces and nephews.
Mr. Thomas was for many years the Sergeant of Arms and currently the 1st Commander of American Legion Post 21. He also was currently the Senior Deacon for the Thomas H. Kiah Masonic Lodge 101.
In addition to his parents, he is survived by four brothers, Robert Thomas and Daniel Thomas, both of Philadelphia, Lloyd Thomas Jr. and his wife Viola of New Castle, Del., and Alfred Thomas and his wife Pebbles of Goldsboro; five sisters, Margaret Thomas of Goldsboro, Shirley Lumpken and her husband Thomas of Queenstown, Ella Thomas of Centreville, Clarretta Kellum and her husband Arthur of Cordova, and Gloria Thomas of Chestertown; many nieces and nephews; and a host of family and friends.
Friends may call from 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday in Charles Wesley United Methodist Church, Centreville.
Services will be 1 p.m. Wednesday in the church.
Burial will be in Maryland Veterans' Cemetery in Beulah, near Hurlock.
Arrangements by Bennie Smith Funeral Home, Easton.
Howard Thompson Virdin, 90
CLAYTON - Howard Thompson Virdin of Clayton died Thursday, May 13, 2004, in his home. He was 90.
Mr. Virdin was born Sept. 29, 1913, on the family farm near Marydel, one of eleven children of the late Harry and Annabelle Thompson Virdin.
He worked on the family farm for several years before becoming a mechanic for Philip Cartanza and Shady Brook Farms near Little Creek.
He was an avid gardener and enjoyed growing roses.
Mr. Virdin was an active member of Ewell's St. Paul United Methodist Church in Clayton and served on several committees.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a son, William Howard Virdin.
He is survived by his wife of 69 years, Alice Ruth Blendt Virdin; two daughters, Marjorie Cowan of Smyrna and Vivian Ruth Virdin of Bear; 10 grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; and five great great-grandchildren.
Services will be 1 p.m. Monday in the Faries Funeral Chapel, 29 S. Main St., Smyrna, where friends may call one hour earlier.
Burial will be in Sharon Hills Memorial Park, Dover.
The family suggest contributions be made to Ewell's St. Paul United Methodist Church, PO Box 266, Clayton, DE 19938 or to Delaware Hospice, 911 S. DuPont Highway, Dover, DE 19901.
Romaigne K. Welch, 85
HARRINGTON - Romaigne K. Welch of Harrington passed away Wednesday, May 12, 2004, in Bayhealth-Milford Memorial Hospital. She was 85.
Mrs. Welch was born May 28, 1918, in Maryland, daughter of the late Dr. Harry Brandt King and Helen King. She has lived in Harrington since 1953.
She attended the University of Delaware and graduated from Mansfield (Pa.) State College (now Mansfield University).
She was a home economics teacher for the Harrington School District (now the Lake Forest School District) for a few years. She also distributed telephone books and had worked for the Wilmington Morning News, News Journal and the Harrington Journal.
She was a loving and devoted mother and wife.
Mrs. Welch was past president of the Ladies Auxiliary VFW Post 6483 of Milford; and an active participant in Easter Seals.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her stepmother, Lillian King.
She is survived by her husband of 55 years, Chief Warrant Officer W-4 Harold R. Welch Jr.; three daughters, Helen Galenski and her husband Joseph of El Paso, Texas, Gloria DeNigris of Dover, and Linda Welch of Harrington; a brother, Harry Brandt King of Maryland; four grandchildren, Holly Castell and Suzanne Castell, both of Atlanta, Chris Castell of Dover and Scott Melvin of Sandtown; a great-grandson, Fabien Perry of Atlanta; and several nieces and nephews.
Services will be 2 p.m. Tuesday in the Berry-Short Funeral Home, 119 N.W. Front St., Milford, where friends may call two hours earlier.
Burial will be in Milford Community Cemetery.
Angus D. Allen, 88
CAMDEN - Angus D. Allen of Camden formerly of Vernon, N.Y., died Friday, June 4, 2004, in his home. He was 88.
Mr. Allen was born April 19, 1916, in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, son of the late George and Lillian (MacGilvary) Allen.
He was a veteran of the Canadian Army, having served in World War II.
He was a racehorse trainer for the Standardbred Industry, retiring in 2002 after 65 years in harness racing.
Mr. Allen had lived in Delaware for four months, coming from Vernon. He was a life-long member of the United States Trotting Association of Columbus, Ohio, and a member of the Central New York Harness Horsemen Association. He enjoyed training horses and being at the track, and he was always quick with a joke, a story, or a little song.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 48 years, Loretta.
He is survived by a son, Brian Allen and his fiancée Kathleen White of Felton; four daughters, Marilyn Allen and her husband Jeff Klein of Ithaca, N.Y., Susan Allen and Tony Rossi of Vernon, Lauren Allen and Gary Miller of Camden, N.Y., and Karen Curran and her husband Chuck Curran of Toronto; two granddaughters, Melissa Allen of Vernon and Caitlyn Allen of Jacksonville, Fla.; a sister, Dorothy Carnerie; and a brother, Donald Allen of Halifax.
Services will be held in Vernon.
Arrangements are by Torbert Funeral Chapel, Dover.
Janet S. Eckler, 71
TOWNSEND - Janet S. Eckler of Townsend died peacefully Friday, June 4, 2004, in her home surrounded by her family. She was 71.
Mrs. Eckler had been a resident at Churchmans Village in Newark.
She was a homemaker and had worked for Avon Products, Loving Care Nursery in Smyrna, and Dr. Walter Lee, formerly of Middletown.
Mrs. Eckler was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and sister, and she will always be remembered for her hospitality and great wit.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 51 years, Cleon C. "Bear" Eckler Jr., March 31, 2004.
She is survived by a son, Cleon C. "Chuck" Eckler III and his wife Belinda of Townsend; a daughter, Pamela E. Bailey and her husband Dave of Townsend; two brothers and two sisters-in-law, Davis and Ruth Staats of Claymont, and Davey and Nancy Staats of Townsend; three grandchildren, David, Ryan and Jessica; several nieces and nephews; and her caregiver, whom the family wishes to send a special thank you, Vickie Orr.
Services will be 1 p.m. Tuesday in Daniels and Hutchison Funeral Home, 212 N. Broad St., Middletown, where friends may call one hour earlier.
Burial will be in the Townsend Cemetery.
Instead of flowers, the family suggests contributions to the Townsend Fire Co., PO Box 194, Townsend, DE 19734.
Hazel M. Marvel, 89
MILTON - Hazel M. Marvel of Milton died Saturday, June 5, 2004, in her home. She was 89.
Mrs. Marvel was born in Harbeson, daughter of the late Walter and Laurel (Steel) Sherman.
She worked as a manager for Emmanuel's Department Store for many years.
She was well known in the area as an Avon representative for over 30 years.
Mrs. Marvel was a member of the Henlopen Grange 20 in Lewes and Whites Chapel United Methodist Church in Milton.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Marvin M. Marvel, in 2002; a brother, Arthur W. Sherman; a sister, Elizabeth Brown; a half-sister, Marie Sherman; and a half brother, Raymond Sherman.
She is survived by a half-brother, George W. Sherman of Milton; a half-sister, Betty Jane Towers of Seaford; and several nieces and nephews.
Graveside services will be 11 a.m. Tuesday in Henlopen Memorial Park, Milton.
Instead of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Whites Chapel Cemetery, Route 1, Milton, DE 19968 or Delaware Hospice, 600 DuPont Highway, Georgetown, DE 19947.
Arrangements by Short Funeral Service, Milton.
Michael D. McGinniss, 47
MILLSBORO - Michael D. McGinniss of Millsboro formerly of Hyattsville, Md., died Friday, June 4, 2004, in Beebe Medical Center, Lewes. He was 47.
Mr. McGinniss was born July 31, 1956, in Washington, D.C., son of the late Francis A. and Eileen H. (Rogers) McGinniss.
He was an auto mechanic.
Mr. McGinniss was an avid car buff and enjoyed attending local car shows.
He is survived by a sister, Mary K. McGinniss of Millsboro; two brothers, Francis P. McGinniss of Lewes and John E. McGinniss of Laurel, Md.; two nieces, Kelly and Karlie; and two nephews, P.J. and Jason.
Services will be 2 p.m. Monday in the Watson Funeral Home, 211 Washington St., Millsboro, where friends may call two hours earlier.
Burial will be in Carey's Cemetery, Millsboro.
