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.
Services for Robert C. Spencer, 44, of Dover will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday, June 18, in Holy Cross Church, South State Street, Dover. Mr. Spencer died Friday, June 13, 2003, in Bayhealth-Kent General Hospital, Dover.
Mr. Spencer was born in Baltimore, son of Maryjean Lynch Spencer of Murrysville, Pa., and the late A. Clifton Spencer.
He was a graduate of Bowie State College in Maryland, and received his master’s degree in psychology from West Virginia Wesleyan.
Mr. Spencer was director of development for community services with the Delaware Division of Developmental Disabilities.
He was a family-oriented person, and enjoyed fishing, camping and most sports.
Mr. Spencer had been a member of the BPO Elks of Dover and The Dover Men of Malvern, and an active member of Holy Cross Church of Dover.
In addition to his mother, he is survived by his wife of 20 years, Katherine Maroney Spencer of Dover; two daughters, Sara and Jamie Spencer, both of Dover; a son, Bobby Spencer of Dover; maternal grandmother, Anne Lynch of Murrysville; and a sister, Beth Knotts of New Creek, W.Va.
The family suggests memorial contributions to the Kristen V. Boyer Memorial Fund (Disabilities), 14 Drew Court, Dover, DE 19901.
Services for Marian Virginia Vernier, 89, of Felton were held Saturday, June 14, in St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church, Dover. Mrs. Vernier died Friday, June 6, 2003, in Capital Healthcare Services, Dover.
Mrs. Vernier was born Nov. 18, 1913, in Toledo, Ohio. She had resided in Towson, Md.
She obtained a bachelors degree in philosophy while living in Ohio, and was employed at Waldenbooks in Towson before retiring.
Mrs. Vernier was a member of Maryland Presbyterian Church, Towson.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Robert A. Vernier, in 1989; a daughter, Sara Lynn Williams, in September 2002; and a son, Robert Vernier.
She is survived by a son-in-law, Roger Williams of Felton; five grandchildren and the spouses of two, Patrik Williams and his wife Melissa, Elizabeth Martin and her husband Silvio, and Andrew, Rebecca and Shawn Williams; and five great-grandchildren.
Bessie W. Parker Boggs
Remembrance services for Bessie W. Parker Boggs, 89, of Dover, were held Monday, Feb. 3, at Trader Funeral Home, Dover. Mrs. Boggs died Thursday, Jan. 30, 2003, at Silver Lake Center, Dover.
She was born June 15, 1913, near Woodside, daughter of the late Ernest and Bessie Morris Wilcutts.
Mrs. Boggs was a charter member of the Leipsic Volunteer Fire Company Ladies Auxiliary and Roby United Methodist Church in Leipsic.
She retired in 1974 as a license examiner with the Delaware Department of Motor Vehicles in Kent County. She also worked as a waitress at the Village Inn in Little Creek during the 1950s.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her first husband, James “Jimmy” Parker, in 1964; her second husband, J. Paul Boggs, in 1974; four brothers, Nolan Wilcutts, Walter Wilcutts, Ernest Wilcutts and Roy Wilcutts; and her sister Anna Neiwoit.
She is survived by two sons and a daughter-in-law, James W. Parker of Bowers Beach and Charles E. and Connie Parker of Odessa; a daughter and her husband, Maureen and Ronald Reb of Dover, with whom she lived; two grandchildren, Kevin W. and his wife, Kelly M. Reb of Smyrna and Robert A. Reb of Smyrna; two great-grandchildren, Jerald T., Rocklin N. and Magdalyn Reb,; two sisters, Clara W. and her husband, George Russell, of Milford and Jessie W. Walls of Dover; and her longtime companion, John Webb.
Burial was in Barratt’s Chapel Cemetery, Frederica.
Arrangements were by Trader Funeral Home, Dover.
Master Sgt. Robert L. Fester, U.S.A.F. (Ret.)
Services for Robert L. Fester, 74, of Dover will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 6, at Torbert Funeral Chapel, 61 South Bradford St., Dover. Friends may call from 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 5, at the funeral home. Mr. Fester died Sunday, Feb. 2, 2003, at Bayhealth-Kent General Hospital.
Mr. Fester was born May 26, 1928, in Bellevue, Pa., to the late Joseph H. and Edna P. Owens Fester.
He was served in the United States Air Force during the Korean War and Vietnam, and retired after 23 years as a master sergeant. He was a life member of the Disabled Veterans Association. He loved working with wood and making things for his family and friends in his little shop. He also 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.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to Kent Sussex Industries, 258 North Rehoboth Blvd., Milford, DE 19963.
Burial will be at Sharon Hills Memorial Park, Dover.
Frank Hansen
Memorial services for Frank Hansen, 56, of Dover, were held Friday, Jan. 24, at the Mamie Warren Senior Center, Smyrna. Mr. Hansen died Monday, Jan. 20, 2003, at his home.
He was born Sept. 3, 1946, in Jersey City, N.J., son of the late Clarence and Anna Lee Hansen.
Mr. Hansen worked as a mechanical engineer for 29 years for Mack Trucking and Seagram’s. He worked at Progresso Foods in Vineland, N.J. for five years. After retiring in 1996, he taught math at Delaware Technical & Community College and volunteered as a math teacher at the Delaware Correctional Facility in Smyrna. He also was the director for the Mamie A. Warren Senior Center in Smyrna.
Mr. Hansen was a 25-year member of the Nordic Lodge No. 574 Sons of Norway, Totowa, N.J., and The National Society of Professional Engineers.
He is survived by a sister, Janet B. Pszenny and her husband, Bill of Pemberton, N.J.; a niece, Lee Ann Forvour of Jobstown, N.J.; a nephew, John Pszenny and his wife, Crystal of Pennsville, N.J.; two aunts, Roberta Lee of Lewes and Nona Lee of Pennsylvania; one uncle, Gustav Lee and his wife, Elsie of Lewes; and four great-nieces and great-nephews.
Burial was private.
Arrangements were by Torbert Funeral Chapels, Dover.
Tien En Li
Services for Tien En Li, Ph.D., 76, of Dover, will be held Saturday, Feb. 8, at Torbert Funeral Chapel, Dover. Mr. Li died Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2003, at his home.
He was born the youngest of four siblings in Kansu Province, northwestern China. At an early age, he was recognized as an exceptional student, placing second in a national exam. His family encouraged him to study, hoping he could be the only one to escape their impoverished life in rural China. They sold their only working farm animal so he could travel across the country to attend high school.
In 1949 he graduated from Chengchi University in Nanjing, China. The Sino-Japanese war and Communist Revolution prevented him from returning to his home province. Having no other choice, he left war-torn China for Taiwan where he became an instructor of statistics at Chung Shing College in Taipei. While there, he published a book, The Conservation of Natural Resources and the Economy.
In 1956, with the help of friends, he was able to afford passage to America on a cargo ship, which took 40 days. He worked as a translator for a Chinese-American newspaper in San Francisco. He earned a master’s degree from Oklahoma State University in 1958 and his doctorate in economics from Texas A&M University in 1961. He worked as a computer programmer at IBM in Houston, Tex. and as a research associate at the University of Illinois.
In 1962 he came to Dover where he became a professor of economics at the then-Delaware State College. He was popular among the students for his unique teaching style and sense of humor. He married Wan-Wan Jerng in 1966. After 30 years of service, he retired from Delaware State University in 1991. In 1993, he was able to travel back to his hometown in China to revisit his family and relatives.
He enjoyed going to horse races, cooking, gardening, and carpentry. He was always willing to help newcomers in the local community and students who often sought his advice and wisdom.
Mr. Li’s lifetime was devoted to pursuit of knowledge and educating others. His two sons both graduated college at the age of 16 and are currently college professors.
He is survived by his wife Wan-Wan and two sons, Eugene Li of Durham, N.C. and Victor Li of Odenton, Md.
Flowers are welcome.
Memorial contributions may be sent “In memory of Tien Li” to Delaware State University, 1200 N. DuPont Highway, Dover, DE 19901.
Burial was in Sharon Hills Memorial Park, Dover.
Sherronda Lynnae Purnell Manlove
Services for Sherronda Lynnae Purnell Manlove, 31, of Dover, were held Saturday, Feb. 1, in the Church of God, Seaford. Mrs. Manlove died of cancer Saturday, Jan. 25, 2003, in Bayhealth-Kent General Hospital, Dover.
She was born Nov. 2, 1971, in Nanticoke Memorial Hospital, daughter of John Lloyd and Ethel Pettyjohn Purnell of Bridgeville.
Mrs. Manlove was employed with the Dover Post newspaper.
She was a member of Home of Mission Bible Church of God in Harrington.
She was preceded in death by a brother, Orlando Pettyjohn.
In addition to her parents, she is survived by her husband, Chris Manlove; a son, Kevonte Purnell of Seaford; a brother, William Purnell of Felton; two sisters, Valencia Purnell of Greenwood and Vonsheila Purnell of Woodside; two grandmothers, Annie Pettyjohn of Seaford and Carolyn Manlove of Dover; a special uncle, Harry Pettyjohn of Seaford; three uncles; six aunts; a brother-in-law, Jose Torres of Dover; two sisters-in-law, Carrie Harris of Felton and Cleo Lowe of Dover; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Burial was in Macedonia African Methodist Episcopal Church Cemetery.
Laura Ann Miller
Services for Laura Ann Miller, 29, of Hartly, were held Saturday, Feb. 1, in Belfrost Baptist Church, Bel Air, Md., and Monday, Feb. 3, in First Baptist Church, Dover. Mrs. Miller died after a battle with leukemia Monday, Jan. 27, 2003, surrounded by her family in Christiana Hospital, Newark.
She was born May 14, 1973, daughter of Robert Conrad and Karen Elaine Lockwood of Joppa, Md.
Mrs. Miller graduated in 1991 from Joppatowne High School.
She owned and operated The Gospel Shoppe in Dover. As a devoted Christian, the shop allowed her to share her ministry and her love of Christ.
Mrs. Miller was a devoted member of First Southern Baptist Church, Dover.
In addition to her parents, she is survived by her husband of six years, Steven Miller; a daughter, Sarah Elaine Miller; a sister and her husband, Heather Lynn and Sean Hingardner of Edgewood, Md.; her maternal grandmother, Carolyn Wagner of Baltimore; her paternal grandparents, Conrad J. and Bettylou Lockwood of Baltimore; and her father and mother-in-law, Richard and Joan Miller of Joppa.
Burial was in the Garden of the Word in Sharon Hills Memorial Park, Dover.
Arrangements were by Pippin Funeral Home, Wyoming.
Margaret Anne Mosley
Services for Margaret Ann Mosley, 62, of Rockville, Md., formerly of Kenton, were held Monday, Feb. 3, at Jerusalem-Mount Pleasant United Methodist Church, Rockville. Ms. Mosley died of cancer Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2003, in Montgomery Hospice’s Casey House, Rockville.
Ms. Mosley was born Sept. 26, 1940, in Kenton, daughter of Mildred Wright-Mosley of Smyrna and the late Allen Mosley Sr.
She attended Smyrna Elementary School and later attended William Henry School.
Ms. Mosley was self-employed as a private-duty nurse who cared for people in their homes.
She had a special gift for caring for the elderly. She enjoyed reading the Bible, going to church, watching the news and indulging herself in books. She was a very loving and kind woman.
Ms. Mosley was a member of Jerusalem-Mount Pleasant United Methodist Church, Rockville.
In addition to her father, she was preceded in death by a sister, Eloise Nixon; a brother, Michael Mosley; and a niece, Carol Mosley.
In addition to her mother, she is survived by a sister, Shirley Mosley of Smyrna; six brothers and two sisters-in-law, William and James Mosley, both of Smyrna, Allen Jr., Arnold and Catherine Dixon-Mosley, all of Clayton, Winfred and Diane Stevens-Mosley of Templeville and David Mosley of North Carolina; an aunt, Cora Wright of Smyrna; a devoted friend, Lillian Baker of Rockville; and a host of nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.
Arrangements were by Snowden Funeral Home PA, Rockville.
Ernest L. Newman
Services for Ernest L. Newman, 69, of Dover, were held Sunday at Berry Short Funeral Home, Felton. Mr. Newman died Thursday, Jan. 30, 2003, of complications of cancer in Bayhealth-Kent General Hospital, Dover.
He was born in West Frankfort, Ill., son of the late Jack and Virginia Newman.
Mr. Newman was a veteran of the U.S. Army.
He was a service technician for Middletown Appliance for five years, retiring in 1998. Since early 2000, he had owned and operated Ernie’s Collectibles in Laurel.
Mr. Newman was former vice-president of the Viola Town Council.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a sister, Virginia Ellis.
He is survived by his wife, Clara Newman; a son, Kenny Newman of Sailor Springs, Ill.; two daughters, Nancy Barnfield of Frankford and Bonnie Bellew of Metropolis, Ill.; six stepchildren, John Habicht of Hartly, George Habicht Jr. and Linda Habicht, both of Frederica, Janet Laird of Felton, Brenda Bifferato of Wilmington and Earl Breedon of La Plata, Md.; two sisters, Kathy Watson of Round Lake Beach, Ill., and Sarah Higgs of West Frankfort; a brother, Jack Newman of Texas; several grandchildren; and several great-grandchildren.
Burial was in Barratt’s Chapel Cemetery, Frederica.
Alexander Oakes Sr.
Services for Alexander Oakes Sr., 84 of Dover, were held Friday, Jan. 31, in the chapel of the Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Millsboro. Mr. Oakes died Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2003, in Bayhealth-Kent General Hospital, Dover.
He was born July 14, 1918, in South Wales, Great Britain, son of the late John and Ann Brizell Oakes.
Mr. Oakes served in the U.S. Army during World War II.
He was a tool and die maker for the DuPont Co., retiring in 1980.
Mr. Oakes was a member of Christ Episcopal Church, Dover.
He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Leona Oakes; two sons, Robert Oakes of Greenbackville, Va., and Alexander Oakes Jr. of Medford, N.J.; a sister, Dorothy McGill of Columbus, N.C.; and three grandchildren.
Burial was in Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Millsboro.
Arrangements were by Pippin Funeral Home, Wyoming.
