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Frances Mae Thomas Stanford, 97
DENTON, Md. - Frances Mae Thomas Stanford of Denton slipped away peacefully Friday, Jan. 24, 2003, in the Shore Nursing Home, Denton. She was 97.
Mrs. Stanford was the last of 16 children born to the late Perry and Lucinda Coursey Thomas.
She was known for her regular deliveries of sweet potato pies, gingerbreads and mostly apple dumplings, until the volume became too large for her to accommodate.
Many foster children passed through her doors. Most of them stayed. She and her husband received an award from the governor of Maryland for accepting multiple children in order to keep siblings together.
Mrs. Stanford was a lifetime member of Ross Chapel Church. She loved her Lord and her church as a pioneer she was totally committed to keeping the doors of Ross Chapel open. She was active in Sunday school, summer Bible school, formed and provided transportation for the youth choir and played the piano if needed.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, William McKinley Stanford, in 1975; and four children, Mildred Everitt, Allen Stanley, William Fulford and Thomas Stanley Jr.
She is survived by her children and their spouses, Charles and Sue Thomas of Philadelphia, Peggy and Theodore Jones of New Castle, Del., Sgt. Wayne Jackson of Newport News, Va., Reginald and Dorothy Jackson of Federalsburg, Regina Webster of Perryville, Ty and Rene Stanley and James and Patricia Downes, all of Denton, and Hazel and Morris Fulford and Ledell and Robert Brown, all of Easton; her devoted granddaughters and their spouses, Shirley and James Acree of Denton, Vanessa and Bruce Everitt and Francine Jones, all of New Castle, Iva and Edward Dorn of Newark, Oneida and Paul Baynard of Queen Anne, Josephine and Roland Seth and Jamie Brooks and Ty Stanley Jr., all of Easton, Tyra Stanley and Angie Jackson, both of Federalsburg, and Lynn Carter of Philadelphia; her grandsons and their spouses, Clifford and Debbie Everitt of Brookhaven, Pa., Theodore Jones Jr. of Newark, Del., Bradford Thomas and Eric and Gloria Hooks, all of Philadelphia, Alfred and Loretta Stanford of New Castle, Gary Everitt and Tyrone Beulah, all of Chester, Pa., Reginald Jackson Jr. and Kevin Jackson, both of Federalsburg, Cecil and Olin Jackson of Perryville and Tyler Stanley of Denton; a devoted great-granddaughter and caregiver, Denyae Jones of Denton; two sisters-in-law, Elsie and Doris Thomas, both of Harrington; 43 additional great-grandchildren; and 46 great-great-grandchildren.
Friends may call from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday in Ross's Chapel AME Church, Denton.
Services will be 1 p.m. Saturday in St. Luke United Methodist Church, Denton.
Burial will be in the Ross's Chapel AME Church Cemetery, Denton.
Arrangements by Bennie Smith Funeral Home, Easton.
John T. Steinbeiser Jr., 83
MORRISVILLE, Pa. - John T. Steinbeiser Jr. of Morrisville, and formerly of Wilmington, Del., died Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2003, in St. Mary Medical Center, Middletown Township. He was 83.
Mr. Steinbeiser was born in Altoona, son of the late John T. Steinbeiser Sr. and Esther (Walz) Steinbeiser.
He was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II.
Mr. Steinbeiser had been employed for more than 40 years with the Pennsylvania Railroad and its successors, the Penn Central and then, Conrail, retiring in 1962 as general foreman of the Morrisville Yards.
He had been a resident of Morrisville for more than 42 years, moving there from Wilmington.
Mr. Steinbeiser was a member of Holy Trinity Roman Catholic Church and had served as the church's sexton. He also was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars post in Morrisville.
He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Romayne M (Harney) Steinbeiser; three daughters and two sons-in-law, Geneva E. and Richard Frick of Newark, Del., and Patricia and Carl Schell and Romayne Grosse, as well as Ms. Grosse's fiance, Edward Kucowski, all of Morrisville; four sons and two daughters-in-law, John T. and Kay Steinbeiser of Newark, Robert Steinbeiser of Morrisville, Tim Steinbeiser of Lawrenceville, N.J., and Paul and Janet Steinbeiser of Frenchtown, N.J.; a sister, Mary Helen Benson of Northridge, Calif.; 19 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; two nieces; and a nephew.
Relatives and friends may call from 6 to 9 p.m. Sunday in Holy Trinity R.C. Church, 201 N. Pennsylvania Ave., Morrisville.
Mass of Christian burial will be 11 a.m. Monday in the church, where friends also may call one hour earlier.
Burial will be in the parish cemetery in Lower Makefield Township.
Instead of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions to Holy Trinity RC. Church, 201 N. Pennsylvania Ave., Morrisville, PA 19067; or to Red Bud Avian Rehabilitation Center, 116 Manatee Ave., Lawrenceville, NJ 08648.
Arrangements by the J. Allen Hooper Funeral Chapel Inc., Morrisville.
Nancy Lee Larimore Utley, 48
RICHMOND, Va. - Nancy Lee Larimore Utley of Richmond, formerly of Seaford, Del., died after an 8-month battle with pancreatic cancer Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2003, in her home. She was 48.
Mrs. Utley was the daughter of the late Charlotte Spry Larimore and Boyce D. "Jake" Larimore.
She was a graduate of Seaford Senior High School and received a bachelor's degree, summa cum laude, from the University of Richmond, Va.
She was a certified public accountant and was employed as an auditor, office administrator and human resource director for Price Waterhouse for 17 years. She was more recently employed as controller for Richmond Commercial Service, Inc. and executive director of Good Neighbor Village Inc.
Mrs. Utley was a dedicated, longtime member of Trinity United Methodist Church, where she was a past chairman of the staff-parish relations committee, past president of the United Methodist Women, lay leader and past member of the board of trustees. She was an active member of the Outreach Sunday school class and served on various committees within the church. She also served at the Richmond District and Virginia Annual Conference levels of the United Methodist Church. Her compassion for others was shown through missions, including participation in feeding programs for the homeless in Richmond, construction work with youth in Charleston, S.C., and pioneering Trinity's involvement in Friends of Barnabas outreach to Honduras.
She is survived by her husband, Arthur M. Utley III; a son, Jordan Paul Utley; and her brother, Timothy D. Larimore of Seaford.
Memorial services will be 4 p.m. today in Trinity United Methodist Church, 903 Forest Ave., Richmond, Va.
Instead of flowers, the family suggests contributions may be made to Trinity United Methodist Church Missions, 903 Forest Ave., Richmond, VA 23229; The American Cancer Society, 4240 Park Place Court, Glen Allen, VA 23060; or The American Hospice Foundation, 2120 L St. NW Suite 200, Washington, D.C. 20037.
Cornelius VanDrunen, 80
WYOMING - Cornelius VanDrunen of Wyoming died suddenly Monday, Jan. 27, 2003, in the Celebration Hospital, Orlando, Fla. He was 80.
Mr. VanDrunen was born May 12, 1922, in Grand Rapids, Mich., son of the late Frank and Anaa DeLaat VanDrunen.
He served in the U.S. Air Force as a master sergeant during World War II, Korea and Vietnam.
After his retirement from the Air Force, he operated Van's Mobile Home Service and First State Mobile Home Transport. He most recently operated a greenhouse and sold produce and plants, operating Pop's Produce at Spence's Bazaar.
Mr. VanDrunen was a faithful member of Whatcoat United Methodist Church, Camden.
He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Katherine "Kitty" VanDrunen; four sons, Cornelius "Butch" VanDrunen Jr. of Harbeson, Larry VanDrunen of Argyle, Texas, Thomas VanDrunen of Wyoming and Stephen VanDrunen of Millsboro; two daughters, Sandra Glass of Wyoming and Katherine Walls of Normal, Ill.; two brothers, Frank VanDrunen of Byron Center, Mich., and Robert VanDrunen of Wyoming, Mich.; and 13 grandchildren.
Friends may call from 7 to 9 tonight in Pippin Funeral Home, 119 W. Camden-Wyoming Ave., Wyoming.
Services will be noon Friday in Whatcoat United Methodist Church, 16 N. Main St., Camden.
Burial will be in the Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Millsboro.
Oscar W. Bordley Sr., 68
TOWNSEND - Oscar W. Bordley Sr. of Townsend died Saturday, Jan. 25, 2003. He was 68.
Services will be noon Saturday in Trinity AME Church, 27, East Lockwood St., Middletown, where friends may call two hours earlier.
Burial will be in Mount Pisgah UAME Cemetery, Mt. Pleasant.
Arrangements by Minus Funeral Home, Dover.
Joyce Munoz Boyce, 63
LAUREL - Joyce Munoz Boyce of Laurel died Monday, Jan. 27, 2003, in her home. She was 63.
Mrs. Boyce was born in Laurel, daughter of Gladys R. Hastings of Laurel and the late Lionel P. Hastings.
She worked as a beautician at the Methodist Manor House in Seaford for more than 20 years.
Mrs. Boyce will be remembered best for the love she gave to her family.
She enjoyed her family. She was a devoted and loving daughter, mother and grandmother.
Mrs. Boyce was a member of the St. Philip's Episcopal Church, Laurel.
In addition to her father, she was preceded in death by her first husband, Frank Javier Munoz, in 1964.
In addition to her mother, she is survived by her second husband, William Thomas Boyce of Laurel; two sons and a daughter-in-law, Barry and Susan Munoz, and Scott Munoz, all of Laurel; a daughter, Francisca Munoz of Laurel; a brother, Franklin Hastings of Laurel; six grandchildren, Jason Munoz, Seth Munoz, Nicholas Munoz, Joshua Munoz, Megan Chimel, and Jenna Munoz; and several cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends.
Memorial services will be 2 p.m. Saturday in Short Funeral Home, 700 West St., Laurel.
The family suggests contributions in memory of Mrs. Boyce to the American Lung Association of Delaware, 1021 Gilpin Ave., Suite 202, Wilmington, DE 19806.
George E. Cooper, 81
TOWNSEND - George E. Cooper of Townsend died peacefully Sunday, Jan. 26, 2003, in Bayhealth-Kent General Hospital, Dover. He was 81.
Mr. Cooper was born July 19, 1921.
He proudly served in the 11th Armored Division of the U.S. Army during World War II, where he was awarded a Bronze Star for heroic achievement of service.
Upon his return from the war, he worked at Clifton Park Manor Apartments, until his retirement 35 years later.
Mr. Cooper lived a full life as a beloved father and grandfather. His endearing sense of humor still makes his family chuckle and will always be remembered. He was an avid collector of die-cast cars, American Indian memorabilia, model tractors, and marbles. He enjoyed weekend trips to Washington, D.C., especially to visit the Smithsonian Institute. He also enjoyed trips to local flea markets, where many of his treasures were found.
He was preceded in death by his parents and his wife, Pat.
He is survived by a loving daughter and caretaker, Pamela; six grandchildren, Mark, Elaina, Gordon, Paige, Jordanna and Joel; six great-grandchildren; two brothers, Robert and Jackie; and his dog, Doby.
Military service will be private.
Arrangements by Daniels & Hutchison Funeral Home.
Robert M. Hughes, 65
DOVER - Robert M. Hughes of Dover died Tuesday, April 17, 2001, in his home with his family by his side. He was 65.
Mr. Hughes was born in Framingham, Mass., son of the late Michael and Marguerite Holland Hughes.
He served for more than 20 years in the U.S. Air Force and retired as a technical sergeant in 1974.
He moved to Dover in 1968, and upon his retirement from the Air Force he became a partner in the Weatherly Yatch Co. of Smyrna. He later owned and operated K.C. Jones Photography Studio in Dover and also served as photographer for the Dover Police Department for more than seven years.
He enjoyed the restoration and building of wooden boats. He also enjoyed camping, hunting and fishing with his children and grandchildren Besides being a proud father of eight children and 22 grandchildren Mr. Hughes will be remembered as "Dad" to the many young people who knew and loved him, as he was a person who made the difference in many of their lives.
Mr. Hughes was a member of the Wooden Canoe Heritage Association. He served as committee chairman for Cub Pack 154 of Dover and was an active parent with the numerous activities that his children had been engaged in. He was a faithful member of Holy Cross Church in Dover and American Legion Walter L Fox Post.
He is survived by his wife of 42 years, Elaine Baron Hughes of Dover; three sons, Michael R. of Dover, Joseph A. of Felton, and Kevin F. of Prattville, Ala.; five daughters, Mary Ann Hughes-Muenchow of Newark, (Kay) Kathleen Hughes and Theresa A. Hughes-Vander-Schel, both of Dover, Jacqueline Chilcote of Houston and Julia Hughes-Gillespie of Nampa, Idaho; and 22 grandchildren.
Friends may call from 7-9 p.m. Sunday at the Funeral Home of Michael J. Ambruso, 1175 S. State St., Dover.
Mass of Christian burial will be 10 a.m. Monday at Holy Cross Catholic Church, S. State St., Dover.
Burial will be in Holy Cross Cemetery, Dover.
The family suggests contributions in his memory be made to the American Cancer Society by calling (800) 227-2345.
Nina A. Lively, 84
CLAYTON - Nina A. Lively of Clayton died Tuesday, April 17, 2001, in Courtland Manor Nursing Home, Dover. She was 84.
Miss Lively was born in West Virginia and moved to Delaware in 1968.
She retired from Woolworth's Department Store at the Blue Hen Mall in Dover after many years of service.
Miss. Lively enjoyed cooking and reading.
She is survived by a niece and her husband, who cared for her, Frances and Bernard Dangerfield of Clayton; and many other nieces and nephews.
Service will be noon Saturday at Matthews-Bryson Funeral Home, 123 W. Commerce St. in Smyrna, where friends may call one hour prior to service.
Burial will be in Galena Cemetery, Galena, Md.
Samuel C. Messick Sr., 89
DAGSBORO - Samuel C. Messick Sr. of Dagsboro, and formerly of Georgetown, died Tuesday, April 17, 2001, in his home. He was 89.
Mr. Messick worked for Delaware Electric Co-op in the transformer room for 23 years, retiring several years ago.
He enjoyed farming and loved spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren.
He is survived by four children, Samuel Messick Jr. and Shirley Murray, both of Dagsboro, and Esther "Dee" Eaton and Thomas Messick, both of Millsboro; eight grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren.
Friends may call from 11 a.m.-noon Saturday at Short Funeral Services, East Market Street, Georgetown.
Burial will be private.
William Harold Mower, 72
OCEAN VIEW - William Harold Mower of Ocean View, and formerly of Seat Pleasant, Md., died Tuesday, April 17, 2001, in Beebe Medical Center, Lewes. He was 72.
Mr. Mower was a Korean War veteran, serving in the U.S. Army.
He was a retired baker.
Mr. Mower was a lifetime member of American Legion My Maryland Post 126 of Forestville, Md., and past southern district commander of Maryland. He also was a lifetime member of Mason-Dixon VFW Post 7234 in Ocean View.
He is survived by his wife of 45 years, Julia Hogan Mower; five sons, John J. Mower, and his wife, Claire, Patrick W. Mower, Michael H. Mower, Donald H. Mower, and his wife, Monica, and Clifton E. Mower, and his wife, Tricia; six daughters, Kitty M. Burroughs, and her husband, Raymond, Juliana M. Stacey, and her husband, Wayne, Mary I. Mower, Ursula L. Mower, Ivy R. Mower and Rebecca A. Buttner, and her husband, Mitchell; two brothers, Leroy Mower and Clifton Mower; a sister, Eleanor Mangum; 16 grandchildren, Gordon, Sean, Andrew, Kristy, Michael, April, Elizabeth, Jeff, Vicki, Kyle, Glen, Juliana, Robert, Finnian. Phillip and Baby Mower; an aunt, Thelma Huff, and her husband, Ernie; and a host of nieces, nephews, sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, cousins and friends.
Friends may call from 6-8 p.m. tonight at the Bethany Chapel of Melson Funeral Services, West Ave., Ocean View.
Mass of Christian burial will be 11 a.m. Friday at St. Ann's Catholic Church, Del. 26, Bethany Beach.
Burial will be in the Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemetery South, Millsboro.
Instead of flowers, contributions may be made to the Beebe Cardiac Care Unit, Lewes, DE 19958; or Millville Volunteer Fire Co., Millville, DE 19970.
Doris L. Piper, 59
MILFORD - Doris L. Piper of Milford died Saturday, April 14, 2001, in her home. She was 59.
Mrs. Piper was born March 5,1942, in Greenville, N.C., the daughter of the late Cleatrice Jones and Charles T. Brewington Sr.
She attended elementary school in Ellendale and graduated from William C. Jason High School in Georgetown.
Mrs. Piper worked at Kraft Foods in Dover for 35 years.
She will be sadly missed by her family and friends.
Mrs. Piper was a member of Holy Trinity Church in Dover for many years, where she served as a member of the stewardess and trustee board as well as president of the usher board. She also was affiliated with Queen Elizabeth, Chapter 13 and Order of the Eastern Star of Milton, where she was a past worthy matron.
She is survived by her husband, Howard Henry Piper Jr.; a brother and his wife, Charles and Victoria Brewington Jr. of Milford; a sister, Glenis Jones of Milford; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends.
Service will be 1 p.m. today at Faith, Hope, Love Church in Milford, where friends may call two hours prior to service. The Rev. Ronald Jackson will officiate.
Burial will be in Odd Fellows Cemetery, Milford.
Arrangements by Bennie Smith Funeral Home, Dover.
Gladys L. Rayne, 68
LAUREL - Gladys L. Rayne of Laurel, and formerly of Selbyville, died Monday, April 16, 2001, in Nanticoke Memorial Hospital, Seaford. She was 68.
Ms. Rayne was born in Selbyville, the daughter of the late Herbert Tingle and Catherine Rayne.
She was a member of St. Matthews Baptist Church in Bishopville, Md.
She is survived by a son, Herbert Rayne of Ellendale; seven daughters, Gladys Hopkins, and her husband, Antonio, whom she lived with, and Charleen Major, both of Laurel, Vanessa Dixon of Seaford, Ida Mitchell and Rose Dixon, both of Frankford, and Patricia Sykes and Frances Rayne, both of Dover; four sisters, Grace Jones and Madeline Rayfield, both of Selbyville, Linda Cooke of Seaford and Wanda Tucker of Salisbury, Md.; 22 grandchildren; 29 great-grandchildren; an uncle; and several nieces and nephews.
Service will be 1 p.m. Saturday at Pilgrims Ministry of Deliverance Church, U.S. 113 south of Georgetown, where friends may call one hour prior to service.
Burial will be in Zoar Golden Acres Cemetery, Bishopville.
Arrangements by Watson Funeral Home, Millsboro.
Edna E. (Neal) Reed, 82
MOUNT EPHRAIM, N.J. - Edna E. (Neal) Reed of Mount Ephraim, formerly of Milford, died Tuesday, April 17, 2001, in Summerville Assisted Living, Voorhees. She was 82.
Mrs. Reed was a member of the Eastern Star Chapter 191 of Audubon.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Walter A. Reed Sr.
She is survived by a son and daughter-in-law, Walter A. Reed Jr. and Sharyn; two grandchildren, Colleen and Courtney; a sister, Alba Moore of North Carolina; a brother, Victor Neal of North Carolina; and a brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Harry and Verna Reed of Haddonfield.
Service will be 10:30 a.m. Friday at Mahaffey-Milano Funeral Home, 11 E. Kings Highway, Mount Ephraim, where friends may call from 9-10:30 a.m.
Burial will be in Lakeview Memorial Park, Cinnaminson.
John K. Stafford Sr., 81
DOVER - John Kenneth Stafford Sr. of Clayton, formerly of Centreville, Md., died Tuesday, April 17, 2001, in Bayhealth-Kent General Hospital, Dover. He was 81.
Mr. Stafford was born Sept. 27, 1919, in Gloucester City, N.J., son of the late Samuel Randolph and Hattie Bambary Stafford.
He attended school in Philadelphia.
At age 14 he moved to Centreville to work as a farmhand, where he met and married the former Mary Madeline Dill on Dec. 24, 1938, in Centreville. He worked as a dairy farmer in Stevensville, Md., and they later moved to Philadelphia, where he worked in the shipyard until being drafted into the U.S. Navy during World War II. During the war he served in the Pacific Theatre of Operations, and after being honorably discharged he returned to Philadelphia and worked for the trolley system. He later moved to Delaware, where he worked for the Schultz Corp. as a maintenance technician, where he retired in 1982. Mr. Stafford was a computer enthusiast.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two brothers, Calvin Stafford and Carlton Stafford.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by three sons, John K. Stafford Jr. of Ridgely, Md., Samuel R. Stafford of Paulden, Ariz., and James T. Stafford of Smyrna; two daughters, Sally M. Barlow of Bear and Sandra M. Thomas of Clayton; 17 grandchildren; and 17 great-grandchildren.
Service will be 1 p.m. Friday at Fellows, Helfenbein & Newnam Funeral Home, Centreville, where friends may call one hour prior to the service.
Burial will be in Woodlawn Memorial Park, Easton, Md.
The family suggests memorial contributions may be made to Calvary United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 7, Queenstown, MD 21658; or to a charity of your choice.
Edward H. Stephens, 70
GEORGETOWN - Edward H. Stephens of Georgetown died Tuesday, April 17, 2001, in his home. He was 70.
Mr. Stephens graduated from Rehoboth High School, class of 1948, then graduated from Temple Tech of Philadelphia with an associate degree in architectural drafting.
He was a veteran of the U.S. Air Force.
Mr. Stephens worked for his father, Edward M. Stephens Contractor of Rehoboth Beach, Reese Smith as a drafting person in Georgetown and E.F. Quillen as a drafting person in Rehoboth. He retired in 1995 after 29 years with Delaware Power and Light/Connectiv as a field man.
He began recreational painting with oils and watercolors around 1992.
Mr. Stephens was a committee member for 10 years with the Boys Scouts of America in Georgetown Troop 95.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Edward Millard Stephens and Florence A. Laird Stephens; and a sister.
He is survived by his wife, Joanne Clark Stephens of Georgetown; two sons, Curtis E. Stephens of Millsboro and Keith T. Stephens of Chandler, Ariz.; and five grandchildren, Hillary, Chase, Amanda, Jacob and Travis Stephens.
The family suggests contributions may be made to the Del-Tech Adult Plus, P.O. Box 610, Georgetown, DE 19947; or Beebe Medical Foundation, 902 Savannah Road, Lewes, DE 19958.
Arrangements by Short Funeral Home, Georgetown.
