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.
Vaughn E. Kreer, 65, of Magnolia died Saturday, Jan. 31, 2004, in his home with his family present.
Mr. Kreer was born Dec. 16, 1938, in Dover, son of the late Duane and Mary Mentzer Kreer.
He was a retired chief master sergeant who served 30 years in the U.S. Air Force Reserve.
He enjoyed watching football and NASCAR; other enjoyments were hunting and fishing and his dog Nikki. He loved spending quality time with his family and especially his grandchildren.
Mr. Kreer had been a faithful and dedicated member of the American Legion Walter L. Fox Post 2 in Dover since 1982 and actively participated in events at the Post.
He is survived by his wife of 45 years, Peggy Kreer of Magnolia; two sons and their wives, Michael V. and Tracy Kreer, and Mitchell E. and Rosie Kreer, all of Virginia Beach, Va.; a daughter and son-in-law, Pamela and Scott Kreer-Uehlein of Arizona; and six grandchildren, Alex, Kassey, Emily and Hannah Kreer and Kendall and Kayde Uehlein.
Services and burial with full military honors were private.
Walter John ‘Jack’ Layton Jr.
Memorial services for Walter John “Jack” Layton Jr., 60, of Dover were held Saturday, Feb. 7, at Wesley United Methodist Church, Dover. Mr. Layton died Monday, Feb. 2, 2004, due to injuries sustained from an automobile accident.
Mr. Layton was born Oct. 22, 1943, in Dover, son of the late Walter John Sr. and Ruth Walls Layton.
He was a graduate of Dover High School, received a Bachelor of Science degree from West Virginia Wesleyan, and his Masters of Education degree from the University of Delaware. He was a member of the Beta Beta Beta Biological Honor Society.
Mr. Layton was a member of the U.S. Army Reserve.
He retired in 1998 after more than 30 years as a teacher in the Capital School District, the last four of which were as an administrator at Dover High School. After his retirement, he started his own business, Layton Contracting, building homes.
He loved to repair and refurbish Corvettes, and enjoyed country dancing.
Mr. Layton was a member of the Wesley United Methodist Church of Dover, the Elks Lodge BPOE 1903 in Dover, was the president of the First State Corvette Club and at one time served as a judge for the National Corvette Restoration Society.
He is survived by his wife, Cynthia S. Layton; three daughters, Mary A. Layton of Hull, Mass., and Lisa S. Layton and Amber C. Layton both of Dover; two step-children, Jeremy J. Candileri and Cindy C. Candileri, both of Dover; a sister and a brother-in-law, Ruth “Elaine” and Peter C. Eisemann of Atlanta; two aunts, Marie Webb of Milford and Lorabell Layton of Harrington; and a granddaughter, Haley Rae Eacho.
Arrangements were by Torbert Funeral Chapels, Dover.
Susan N. Massey
Services for Susan N. Massey, 80, of Magnolia, formerly of Clayton, were held Friday, Feb 6, at Faries Funeral Chapel, Smyrna. Mrs. Massey died from injuries sustained in an automobile accident Monday, Feb. 2, 2004, near Magnolia.
Mrs. Massey was born Jan. 23, 1924, in Williamstown, Pa., daughter of the late Charles M. and Beulah Adams Nace.
She worked in human resources for Campbell’s Soup, formerly W.L. Wheatley’s in Clayton, for 30 years before her retirement.
She was a devoted and loving wife, mother and grandmother.
Mrs. Massey was a charter member of Caring Hearts Helping Hands Inc. in Magnolia, a former volunteer with Meals On Wheels, a member of the Dover Modern Maturity Center and a former and founding member of the Clayton Fire Company’s Ladies Auxiliary. She also was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Smyrna.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a brother, Albert Nace.
She is survived by her husband of 60 years, Elwood Massey; a son and daughter-in-law, Donald L. and Sharon Massey of Phenix City, Ala.; and a daughter and son-in-law, Linda and David Bryan of Magnolia.
She also is survived by four brothers, Alfred Nace of Dunbar, W.Va., Charles Nace of Ravenna, Texas, Monroe Nace of Newark and Joseph Nace of New Church, Va.; and three sisters, June Myers of Hartly, Eve Feagley of Ladonia, Texas, and Ethel Lewis of New Castle.
In addition, Mrs. Massey is survived by six grandchildren, Doug Massey and his wife, Dawn, of Covington, Ga., Beth Massey of Athens, Ga., Heather Bryan of West Chester, Pa., Sherri Blandin and her husband, J.P., of Dover and Amy Bryan of Rehoboth Beach; and a great-granddaughter, Kaylee Blandin of Dover.
Burial was in Sharon Hills Memorial Park, Dover.
Master Sgt. Thomas William ‘Mac’ McGee Sr., USAF (Ret.)
Services for Thomas William “Mac” McGee Sr., 86, of Viola were held Monday, Feb. 2, at Rogers Funeral Home, Milford. Mr. McGee died after a long battle with Alzheimer’s disease Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2004, at his home, with his family present.
Mr. McGee was born June 17, 1917, in Marion Station, Md., son of the late George W. and Elsie E. Prettyman McGee.
He devoted 24 years to the U.S. Air Force, retiring as a master sergeant. In 1942, at the outset of World War II, he was taken prisoner by enemy forces in the Philippine Islands. He was a survivor of infamous Bataan Death March, and he was a prisoner of war for nearly four years. He was awarded the Bronze Star for his valor and meritorious service in combat.
From 1955 to 1959, Mr. McGee served as town sheriff of Viola.
Mr. McGee was a founding member of the VCF Ruritan Club in Viola, and a past chancellor of the Knights of Pythias of Delaware. He attended the Church of Christ in Dover.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his first wife, Agnes E. McGee in 1970; and a son, Robert F. Thomas, in 1995.
He is survived by his wife of seven years, Kathryn A. McGee; seven children, Bill McGee of Merced, Calif., Jack McGee of Glendora, N.J., Gloria Thomas and Joan Taylor, both of Dover, Ron Thomas of Mesa, Ariz., Avery Stichberry of Bossier City, La., and Linda Balascio of Bridgeville; 24 grandchildren; and 29 great-grandchildren.
Burial with full military honors was in Barratt’s Chapel Cemetery, near Frederica.
Margaret Henrietta McParlin
Memorial services for Margaret Henrietta McParlin, 79, of Dover were held Saturday, Feb. 7, at Trader Funeral Home, Dover. Mrs. McParlin died Saturday, Jan. 31, 2004, at her home.
Mrs. McParlin was born March 5, 1924, in Roeville, Md., daughter of the late John D. and Edna Coursey Roe.
She was a homemaker and enjoyed her family.
She is survived by her husband, John McParlin of Dover; a son and daughter-in-law, John and Julie McParlin of Camden; two daughters, Sandra K. Brooks of Texas and Sue Klindienst of Magnolia; and five grandchildren.
Technical Sgt. Edward L. Morris, USAF (Ret.)
Edward L. Morris, 75, of High Point Park, Frederica, died Friday, Feb. 6, 2004, in Bayhealth-Kent General Hospital, Dover.
Mr. Morris was born Feb. 17, 1928, in Benwood, W.Va., son of the late Lawrence and Estella Chase Morris.
He retired from the U.S. Air Force at the rank of technical sergeant after 20 years of service.
He had worked at the U.S. Post Office in Youngstown, Ohio, and was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars post in Morningside, Md., American Legion Walter L. Fox Post 2, Dover, and the Camden-Wyoming Moose Lodge.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Sibyl Ann Morris, in November 2001.
He is survived by a daughter, Jo Ellen Trossbach of Hughesville, Md.
Services were private.
Charles I. Ness
Funeral services for Charles I. Ness, 84, of Dover will be held at noon Thursday, Feb. 12, in the Chapel of the Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Bear. Mr. Ness died of complications of surgery Monday, Feb. 9, 2004, in Bayhealth-Kent General Hospital, Dover.
Mr. Ness was born Nov. 16, 1919, in York, Pa., son of the late Charles E. and Martha G. Reachard Ness.
He was a veteran of the U.S. Army, having served during World War II.
Mr. Ness was a retired machinist.
He had lived for the last five years at Luther Towers, Dover, where he will be remembered fondly for his habit of whistling.
Mr. Ness was a Mason and member of Eulalia Lodge 342, A.F. & A.M.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife of 58 years, Dorothy Ness, Jan. 26, 1998.
He is survived by two daughters, Bonnie Lentz of Dover and Peggy Ness of Georgetown, Ky.; a son, Jeffrey Ness of Coudersport, Pa.; 10 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; and his lady companion, Joan Skrocki.
Instead of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions to a charity of choice.
Arrangements were by Pippin Funeral Home, Wyoming.
Clarence Edward Nichols
Funeral services for Clarence Edward Nichols, 71, of Felton were held Monday, Feb. 9, at Berry Short Funeral Home, Felton. Mr. Nichols died Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2004, at Christiana Medical Center, Christiana.
Mr. Nichols was born in Denton, Md., son of the late James R. and Bessie Hignutt Nichols.
He served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War and worked for Service Oil Co. for many years, retiring in 1995.
Mr. Nichols was a member of the American Legion in Harrington.
He is survived by his wife, Pauline Reynolds Nichols; his daughter, Anna Marie Clayville of Felton; a sister, Thelma Messick of Newark; and a grandson, Randy Clayville Jr. of Felton.
Burial was private.
William Joseph Posner
A Mass of Christian Burial for William Joseph Posner, 67, of Hartly will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 11, at Immaculate Conception Church, Marydel, where friends may call one hour earlier. Mr. Posner died Saturday, Feb. 7, 2004, at Bayhealth-Kent General Hospital, Dover.
Mr. Posner was born Aug. 28, 1936, in Philadelphia, son of the late Joseph and Goldie Henschl Posner. He moved to the Hartly area in 1975.
He was a 1954 graduate of the Dobbins Vocational High School in Philadelphia.
Mr. Posner worked for the Philadelphia Inquirer as a material handler, retiring in 1994.
He was well known for his quiet generosity.
Mr. Posner was a member of the Teamsters Union 169, the Immaculate Conception Church in Marydel, Md., and Longwood Gardens of Kennett Square, Pa.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, George Posner, in 1975; and a sister, Helen Comerford, in 1988.
He is survived by a sister, Margaret Tretina of Hartly; an aunt, Katherine Kish of Hartly; and many nieces and nephews.
Memorial contributions may be made to Central Association of the Miraculous Metal, 475 E. Chelten Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19144 or Shepard Place, 1362 S. Governors Ave., Dover, DE 19904.
Arrangements were by Fleegle and Helfenbein Funeral Home, Greensboro, Md.
Burial will be in Sharon Hills Memorial Park, Dover.
Herbie D. Reed
Remembrance services for Herbie D. Reed, 75, of Dover were held Saturday, Jan. 31, at Trader Funeral Home, Dover. Mr. Reed died Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2004, at Bayhealth-Kent General Hospital, Dover.
Mr. Reed was born Oct. 6, 1928, in Dover, son of the late Herbie and Lottie V. Reed.
Before his retirement, he had worked for Coty Cosmetics, ILC and Playtex of Dover.
Mr. Reed was a devoted husband, father and grandfather.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a son, Dale, in 1976; and his wife, Thelma, in 2002.
He is survived by a son, Benjamin Reed of Dover; two daughters and a son-in-law, Sharon Lewis of Virginia and Rosalind and Dennis Quick of Magnolia; five grandchildren, Kyle, Bryce and Shannon Lewis, and Sherri and Angelque Gray; and two great-grandchildren, Drew Bowers and Morgan Johnson.
