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.
Jeannette Elizabeth Russum
Funeral services for Jeannette Elizabeth Russum, 86, of Dover, were held Monday, May 26, in the Pippin Funeral Home, Wyoming. Ms. Russum died Wednesday, May 21, 2008, at Courtland Manor Nursing Home, Dover.
Mrs. Russum was born July 27, 1921, in Talleyville, daughter of the late William and Annie MacWilliams Shuck.
She enjoyed life as a homemaker and will be remembered as a loving wife, mother and grandmother. She loved to play bingo, and was a regular at the Magnolia Fire Hall.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Herman Russum Sr.; a daughter, Ella Jane Ratledge; and a sister, Ella Jane Witzenfeld.
Mrs. Russum is survived by two daughters and their husbands, Julia A. and Arthur Hughes of Fort Pearce, Fla., and Anna and Ronald Hartnett of Magnolia, with whom she lived for 30 years; and three sons and two daughters-in-law, retired U.S. Coast Guard Chief Petty Officer Herman M. Russum Jr. of Gilbert, Ariz., Ralph W. and Karen Russum of Crumpton, Md., and Charles R. and Joey Cohen Russum of Dover.
She also is survived by nine grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; two nieces, Florence Twardowski of Smyrna and Norma Jane Martone of Wilmington; and a nephew, William Campbell of Smyrna.
Interment was in the Odd Fellows Cemetery, Camden.
Memorial contributions in Mrs. Russum’s name may be made to the Magnolia Fire Co., P.O. Box 55, Magnolia, DE 19962.
Roger R. VanVechten
Funeral services for Roger R. VanVechten, 81, of Dover, were held Tuesday, May 27, in St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Camden. Mr. VanVechten died Wednesday, May 21, 2008, at Bayhealth-Kent General Hospital, Dover.
Mr. VanVechten was born March 19, 1927, in Orange, N.J., son of the late William Raymond VanVechten and Ruby Mount VanVechten.
He joined the Army Signal Corps after high school and served during World War II in Germany.
After the military he started college at night and worked at Sun Oil, where he met his wife of 57 years, Betty Parmentier. Mr. VanVechten worked for Sun Oil for five years, and then opened his own accounting agency in his name in Collingswood, N.J. He retired in 1989.
He was a member of the Walter L. Fox American Legion Post No. 2 and the American Legion Memorial Team, both in Dover.
Mr. VanVechten was a member of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Camden, and a member of the church vestry.
He loved spending time with his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Mr. VanVechten is survived by his wife, Elizabeth “Betty” VanVechten of Dover; a son, Stephen VanVechten of Philadelphia; three daughters, Leslie VanVechten of Dover, Lizanne Pessolano of Alloway, N.J., and Louise Stewart of Philadelphia; four grandchildren, Robbie, Nick, Rocco and Tess; and two great-grandchildren, Giovanni and Annabella.
Interment was in Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Bear.
Memorial contributions in Mr. VanVechten’s name may be made to St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Old North Road, Camden-Wyoming, DE 19934.
Sarah Simpson Webb
Funeral services for Sarah Simpson Webb, 88, of Houston, were held Tuesday, May 27, in the chapel of the Berry-Short Funeral Home, Milford. Mrs. Webb died Thursday, May 22, 2008, in her home.
Mrs. Simpson was the daughter of the late George Burnham Simpson and Sarah Matilda Case Simpson.
She was a native of Houston and a 1937 graduate of Milford High School, where she was class valedictorian. She graduated from the University of Delaware in 1941 and later earned two master's degrees from that university.
Throughout her life, she found great joy in learning and teaching. She taught in Frederica, Milford, Caesar Rodney and Harrington schools.
Mrs. Webb cared very deeply about other people and wanted to help them resolve their problems and conflicts. This led her to become the guidance counselor at W.T. Chipman Middle School in the Lake Forest School District. She reluctantly retired due to ill health after 32 years of service as a teacher and guidance counselor.
She enjoyed traveling and visited many parts of the United States and Europe. She and her husband were especially fond of Finland, where they had developed a friendship with the family of a student who had lived with them while he participated in a summer educational program in the United States.
Mrs. Webb was a lifelong member of the Houston United Methodist Church, where she was a Sunday school teacher for several years. She also was a member of Delta Kappa Gamma, an honorary society for teachers.
She was a talented and creative cook who delighted in having guests stay for dinner. She also enjoyed judging baked goods, sewing and craft projects for many years at the Delaware State Fair.
Mrs. Webb had great love for and pride in her extended family. She and her husband hosted 50 to 65 members of the Simpson family in their home on New Year's Day for many years.
She did extensive genealogical research on the Simpson family and wrote a book, “The Legacy,” which she gave to each family member.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her sister, Isabel Simpson Steele; and her brothers, Burnham Simpson, George Simpson, Francis Simpson and Walton Simpson.
Mrs. Webb is survived by her loving husband of 66 years, Albert Webb; her son, Francis Webb of Houston; her daughter and son-in-law, Sara and Wesley Towers of Harrington; her grandson and granddaughter-in-law, David and Patricia Towers of Alabama; her granddaughter and grandson-in-law, Laura and Brian Yazemboski of Pennsylvania; and five great-grandchildren.
Interment will be in Hollywood Cemetery, Harrington.
Mary Rinaldi Wozniak
Graveside services for Mary Rinaldi Wozniak, 62, of Dover, were held Thursday, May 22, in the Hollywood Cemetery, Harrington. Mrs. Wozniak died Monday, May 19, 2008, in Bayhealth-Milford Memorial Hospital.
Mrs. Wozniak was born in Milford, daughter of the late Peter and Oleta Steward Rinaldi.
She was a graduate of the Harrington High School class of 1963, and received her bachelor's degree from the University of Delaware.
Mrs. Wozniak began her career with the state of Delaware by working in the attorney general's office, then as a bailiff and then as chief bailiff for the Court of Common Pleas in Dover, retiring in 2007 after 26 years service.
She was working as the chief deputy register of wills in Kent County at the time of her death.
In her spare time, she enjoyed being a consultant for the Longaberger Basket Co.
Mrs. Wozniak also enjoyed gardening and doing her crafts; her greatest joy, though, was getting ready for the birth of her granddaughter, Jacqueline Sophia Freedman.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband of 33 years, Jack Wozniak, who died March 2, 2008.
Mrs. Wozniak is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Anne and Jeffrey Freedman of Lutherville, Md.; her beloved granddaughter, Jacqueline Sophia Freedman; and her close friends and neighbors.
Arrangements were by McKnatt, Carpenter & Baker Funeral Home, Harrington.
John T. Yaworski
Memorial services for John T. Yaworski, 56, of Dover, were held Saturday, May 24, in the Pentecostals of Dover. Mr. Yaworski died Monday, May 19, 2008, in Bayhealth-Kent General Hospital, Dover.
Mr. Yaworski was born Dec. 15, 1951, son of John and Marion Weber Yaworski.
He was a U.S. Air Force Vietnam War veteran and worked in the maintenance department at Dover Downs.
Mr. Yaworski collected cameras and had a love for trains; he also enjoyed cats, gardening and riding bicycles.
Mr. Yaworski is survived by his wife of 25 years, Karen Yaworski of Dover; a daughter and her fiancé, Lori Markham and Matt Cruz of Dover; a daughter and son-in-law, Beth and James of Dover; a sister and brother-in-law, Nancy and Frank Roff of Lawrenceville, N.J.; five grandchildren and one on the way; and his aunts and uncles.
Interment will be at the convenience of the family.
Arrangements were by Trader Funeral Home, Dover.
Martha Leota Cordray, homemaker
Dover, Del. - Funeral services for Martha Leota Cordray, 79, of Dover, were held Tuesday, June 3, at Lakeside Cemetery, Dover. Mrs. Cordray died Friday, May 30, 2008, in Bayhealth-Kent General Hospital, Dover.
Mrs. Cordray was born March 6, 1929, in Millington, Queen Annes County, Md., daughter of the late Franklin Leager, who died in 1982, and Leota Leager, who died in 2000.
She and her husband moved to Dover from Houston in 1963, and she began working at the Acme Supermarket. She worked there 30 years, retiring in 1993.
Mrs. Cordray enjoyed the beach with her daughters as they were growing up.
She was a wonderful homemaker and cook and enjoyed the flowers and birds at her home in Dover. She also traveled to North Carolina often to visit her close friends that had moved there.
Recently, she was a resident of Heritage of Dover assisted living community and had made several new friends and enjoyed the pleasant on-site staff that helped her with her needs over the past few months.
In addition to her parents, Mrs. Cordray was preceded in death by her husband, Robert Cordray, who she married in 1949, and who died in 1974; a brother, James Franklin Leager, who died in 2002; and a daughter, Cheryl Yvonne Cordray Evans, who died unexpectedly June 9, 2007.
She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Patricia Elaine and Larry Sterling o
Edgar B. Harman, CEO/CFO of U.L. Harman Inc.
Marydel, Del. - Remembrance services for Edgar B. Harman, 78, of Marydel, will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday, June 4, at the Trader Funeral Home, 12 Lotus St., Dover. Mr. Harman died Friday, May 30, 2008, at home with his family present.
Mr. Harman was born July 14, 1929, in Dover, son of the late Ulvin and Myrtle Farrow Harman.
He was a member of Marydel Volunteer Fire Co. and served as president and secretary for many years.
He was also a member of Calvary Methodist Church, Eastern Star, Union Lodge No. 7, NUR Shriners, Eastern Building Material Lumber Dealers Association, U.S. Lumber Standards Committee, Board of Directors at Caroline County Bank, School Board member and President of the Hartly School Board.
Mr. Harman attended Hartly and Dover Schools and Goldy Beacom College.
He lived his entire life in Marydel and was CEO/CFO of U.L. Harman, Inc.
Mr. Harman liked working with people and traveling.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his son, Edgar Lee Harman; and a brother, Lee R. “Dutch” Harman.
Mr. Harman is survived by his wife, Geraldine “Gerry” Harman of Marydel; a son and his wife, Gerald and Susan Harman of Marydel; a daughter and her husband, Patricia and Steve Loescher of Arden, N.C.; five grandchildren, Travis Harman, Jessica Harman, Jaime Loescher Renfro, Jennifer Harman, and Eric Loescher; two great-grandchildren, Catherine Harman and Shey Penny; a brother, Jason Harman; two sisters-in-law, Carolyn Harman and Jean Harman; and several nieces and nephews.
Interment with Masonic services will be at the Lakeside Cemetery Dover.
Memorial contributions in Mr. Harman’s name may be given to Calvary Methodist Church c/o Carolyn Thomas, 896 Sandy Bend Road, Marydel, DE 19964; Marydel Volunteer Fire Co., Marydel, Md.; Delaware Hospice, 911 Lotus Plaza, Dover, DE 19901; or Cancer Center at Bayhealth c/o Dr. John Lahaniatis, 793 S. Queen St., Dover, DE 19904.
Derek N. Hawkins
Frederica, Del. - Derek N. Hawkins, 36, of Frederica, died Saturday, May 24, 2008.
Mr. Hawkins was born Aug. 5, 1971, in Mt. Vernon, N.Y., son of Sandra Jan Manning.
He is survived by his maternal grandmother, Clara Ferguson of New Castle; his wife, Madeline Hawkins and his 2-year-old son, Derek N. Hawkins Jr., both of Frederica; and his daughters, 6-year-old Ayanna Hawkins and 18-year-old Dionna Fletcher of Wilmington.
Mr. Hawkins also is survived by his lifetime friend, Dionne Fletcher of Wilmington; and his longtime friends, Mr. and Mrs. George Thomas of Dover, Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Noell of Frederica, Mr. and Mrs. Carlton Myles of Dover, Mrs. Margarita Lopez of Dover and Mr. D. Lischus of Frederica. He also is survived by two aunts, an uncle and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Services were private.
Arrangements were by Pippin Funeral Home, Wyoming.
Brian Ford
Dover, Del. - Memorial services for Brian Ford, 37, of Dover, were held Monday, June 2, in the Torbert Funeral Chapel South, Dover. Mr. Ford died Wednesday, May 28, 2008, in Bayhealth-Kent General Hospital, Dover.
Mr. Ford was born April 18, 1971, in Salem, Ohio, son of Robert Ford and the late Linda Seevers.
He worked as a general contractor for B&T siding in Dover.
Mr. Ford loved NASCAR and was an avid fan of Dale Earnhart Jr.
He enjoyed fishing with his kids and being with friends and family at barbecues and get-togethers.
In addition to his father, Mr. Ford is survived by his wife of 12 years, Tracey Mell Ford of Dover; his children, Hunter, Megan and Hannah, all at home; his brother and sister-in-law, Michael and Diana Ford of Calcutta, Ohio; his mother- and father-in-law, Jonni and Huey Brogan of Felton; a sister and brother-in-law, Tammy and Bill Swiggett of Dover; a brother-in-law, John Mell Jr. of Ithaca, N.Y.; a special aunt, Diane Maenz and her husband Ernie of Salem, Ohio; and six nephews and three nieces.
Memorial contributions in Mr. Ford’s name may be made to the Brian Ford Memorial Fund c/o PNC Bank, 7 S. Main St., Smyrna, DE 19977, for his children’s education.
Saviust William 'Save' Robinson
Dover, Del. - Funeral services for Saviust William “Save” Robinson, 41, of Dover, were held Saturday, May 31, in First Pilgrim Baptist Church, Camden. Mr. Robinson died Friday, May 23, 2008, at home.
Mr. Robinson was born Dec. 27, 1966, son of Guy W. Robinson Sr. of Dover and Deborah L. Robinson of Raleigh, N.C., and his stepmother, Shirley E. Robinson of Dover.
He was a member of First Pilgrim Baptist Church, Camden. He received his education in Capitol School District.
Mr. Robinson loved to play cards and play the drums. He was a NASCAR racing fan; his favorite driver was Mark Martin.
He never met a stranger and was kind to anyone he came in contact with.
Mr. Robinson worked various jobs, his being with Burger King in Dover.
He will be missed by everyone he knew and loved.
Mr. Robinson was preceded in death by his sister, Marnita Wilson.
In addition to his parents, he is survived by a son, De’Anthony Tyrese Johns of Dover; four brothers, Guy W. Robinson Jr. of Raleigh, Nakia Brown of Dover, Tyrelle Brummell of Wilmington and Guy W. Brummell of Smyrna; and four sisters and two brothers-in-law, Clareesa Robinson and Cynthia and Mike Reddix, all of Dover, and Anita and Tom Anderson of Harbeson and Debbie Martinez of North Carolina; and a host of nieces, nephews, uncles, aunts, cousins and numerous friends.
Interment was in Whatcoat Cemetery, Dover.
