Delaware Obituary Collection
(Obits and death notices from Various Funeral Homes in Delaware [with many Maryland obits that are associated with Delaware]).
Many obituaries from Dover and Rehoboth Beach.
Bessix Sr., Robert Wesley –– Smyrna. Died Friday, Sept. 19, 2003, at age 62, at his home. He was retired from Kraft Foods. He attended Emmanuel A.M.E. Church, where he served in a number of ministries. He also was a member of Prudence Lodge 6 in Dover, where he held the office of chaplain. Survived by his wife, Ellen L. Bessix. Burial was in the cemetery at Emmanuel A.M.E. Church.
Brittingham, Rodney C. ‘Sonny’ –– Milford. Died Tuesday, Sept. 23, 2003, at age 71, at his home. He was a heavy-equipment operator for many years with James Julian Construction before retiring in 1994. He also was a member of Elks Lodge 2401 in Milford. Survived by his wife of 50 years, Sylvia A. Carroll Brittingham. Burial was in Slaughter Neck Cemetery, Lincoln.
Carter Sr., Charles E. ‘Bungalo’ –– Milton. Died Saturday, Sept. 20, 2003, at age 65, at Beebe Medical Center, Lewes. He was a dredger and a fisherman. Locally survived by a daughter, Roweena Carter of Frederica. Burial was in Peoples Memorial Midway, Lewes.
Hamilton, Leroy Claude ‘Punkie’ –– Cecilton, Md. Died Tuesday, Sept. 23, 2003, at age 60, at Union Hospital, Elkton. He was an equipment operator for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in Chesapeake City for 19 years, and previously worked for Cecil Auto Sales in Cecilton for 10 years. Survived by his wife of 39 years, Diane Wesley Hamilton. Locally survived by a daughter, Connie Hamilton of Rising Sun, and an adopted son, Michael Wisher Sr. of Dover. Burial was private.
Johnson, Rosalee Kellam –– Milford. Died Wednesday, Sept. 24, at age 53, at Beebe Medical Center, Lewes. She worked as a certified nurse’s assistant at Genesis Health Care in Seaford, and was a part of the Easter Seals Rehabilitation Program in Georgetown. Burial was in St. Matthew’s Cemetery, Laurel.
Looney, Elmer Guy –– Bridgeville. Died Monday, Sept. 22, 2003, at age 78, at Christiana Hospital, Newark. He served for three years in the U.S. Navy during World War II, and pitched for a St. Louis Cardinals’ farm team until a shoulder injury cut short his career. He later became a premier horse trainer at The Meadowlands, with a stable of over 90 horses. Survived by his wife of 58 years, Helen M. Looney. Locally survived by two brothers, Billy Mac Looney of Wyoming and Burley Looney Jr. of Dover. Burial was in Odd Fellows Cemetery, Camden.
Perry, Paul E. –– Harrington. Died Thursday, Sept. 25, 2003, at age 65, at Bayhealth-Milford Memorial Hospital, Milford. He worked for Playtex and retired after 27 years of service. Survived by his wife of 27 years, Lois S. Perry. Services were private.
Beckett, Berdie – Laurel. Died Wednesday, June 9, 2004, at age 65, at Nanticoke Memorial Hospital, Seaford. Survived by her husband, James L. Beckett Sr. Survived locally by a son, William J. Chase of Dover, and five stepchildren, Sabrina Sells, Pennelope Harris, Leslie Evans, James L. Beckett Jr. and Barbara Jean Andrews, all of Dover.
Blanchette, Carmen Eloise –– Harrington. Died Monday, June 7, 2004, at age 85, at Bayhealth-Milford Memorial Hospital, Milford. She was a member of St. Bernadette’s Catholic Church in Harrington, and was a member of Harrington Century Club and Harrington Senior Center. Locally survived by a daughter and son-in-law, Anita and Leo Ossman of Dover.
Burns, Eugene B. Jr. and Ida C. –– Harrington. Died Monday, June 7, 2004, at ages 78 and 76, respectively, from injuries sustained in an automobile accident. He was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II, and both had been employed at Toby Hanna Army Depot in Pennsylvania for many years.
Cain, James H. ‘Jimbo’ –– Harrington. Died Friday, June 11, 2004, at age 82, at Bayhealth-Milford Memorial Hospital, Milford. He was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II, serving in the 101st Airborne Medical Unit as a medic. He also was a lineman working on the high lines for Delmarva Power & Light, and retired Feb. 1, 1983. Following retirement, he and his wife operated an antique business. He was a member of the Blue Hen Racing Club. Survived by his wife of 58 years, Betty Cain. Services will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday, June 16, at McKnatt Funeral Home, 50 Commerce St., Harrington, where friends may call one hour earlier. Burial will be in Hollywood Cemetery, Milford-Harrington Highway, Harrington.
Castell, Victor L. –– Greenwood, formerly of Dover. Died Wednesday, June 9, 2004, at age 77, at University Hospital of Maryland. He was a veteran of World War II. He moved to Dover with General Foods in 1963 and worked there 48 1/2 years, retiring in 1996. He also was a member of Mid-Atlantic Wildfowl Breeders Association. Burial was in Bridgeville Cemetery.
Collins, Barbara LaRue – Federalsburg, Md. Died Friday, June 11, 2004, at age 61, in Easton, Md. Survived by her husband, Robert A. Collins. Survived locally by three children, Rusty Bartholomew Sr., and Darlene Hudson, both of Dover, and Wesley “Jimmy” Bartholomew of Harrington. Burial was in Hill Crest Cemetery, Federalsburg.
Donald, Lillie M. Saulsbury –– Ocala, Fla., formerly of Dover. Died Thursday, June 4, 2004, at age 71, in Ocala. She taught business education at Delaware State University for 30 years, and just before her retirement served as spiritual advisor to the Delaware State Gospel Choir. She was a member of Bibleway Temple C.O.G.I.C. for 20 years while a resident of Dover. She also was a member of Calvary Assembly of God in Dover for 10 years. Survived by her husband, Fred Donald. Locally survived by a son and daughter-in-law, William S. Jr. and Bridget Saulsbury of Dover; and a granddaughter, Richelle Peart of Dover.
Griffin, Senior Master Sgt. Irvine Lynwood ‘Grif’ –– Richmond, Va. Died Monday, June 7, 2004, at age 77, in Richmond. During his military career, he was stationed at Dover Air Force Base, serving as a flight engineer and attaining the rank of senior master sergeant. He served in World War II, Korea and Vietnam. He also worked for DuPont for 28 years. Burial was in Dale Memorial Park, Chesterfield, Va.
Hance, Phillip N. –– Smyrna. Died Monday, May 31, 2004, at age 64, in Dover. He was a retired custodian of the University of Michigan. Burial was in the Massey Cemetery, Clayton.
Jager, Paula Lavonne –– Smyrna. Died Thursday, June 10, 2004, at age 61, at Nanticoke Memorial Hospital, Seaford. Survived by her husband of 33 years, Michael Jager. Locally survived by a daughter and son-in-law, Robin R. and Robert Breedlove of Magnolia. Burial was in Odd Fellows Cemetery, Smyrna.
Prentice, Sgt. Major John –– Mims, Fla., formerly of Dover. Died Friday, April 23, 2004, at age 57. He served in the U.S. Army Reserve, retiring at the rank of sergeant major after 27 years of service. He also was a 27-year employee of Kraft/General Foods in Dover. Survived by his wife, Lillian. Burial was in Oak Lawn Cemetery, Titusville, Fla.
Ramsey, Clarence Edward ‘Eddie’ Jr. –– Smyrna. Died Tuesday, June 8, 2004, at age 62, at his home. He had worked in construction and for Asplundh Tree Service. Burial was in Gracelawn Memorial Park, Minquadale.
Reichhold, Roy W. –– Milford. Died Tuesday, June 8, 2004, at age 83, at Bayhealth-Milford Memorial Hospital, Milford. He was a U.S. Navy veteran of World War II. He and his brother operated Danneger’s Nursery on Route 113 north of Milford until his retirement in 1984. He was a past president of Milford Lions Club, and was a charter member of Reformation Lutheran Church, Milford. He was inducted into the Delaware Association of Nurserymen Hall of Fame in 1989. Survived by his wife of 58 years, Marjorie McDonough Reichhold.
