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 William C. “Bill” Henry, 77, of Dover were held Saturday, June 12, at Christ Episcopal Church, Dover. Mr. Henry died Monday, June 7, 2004, at Bayhealth-Kent General Hospital, Dover.
Mr. Henry was born in Bridgeport, Conn., son of the late James and Dorothy Cadman Henry.
He was a graduate of Brown University with a degree in engineering and was a U.S. Navy veteran of World War II.
Mr. Henry was a resident of Delaware for more than 50 years and served in various positions in the field of engineering. He served as the director of public works in Wilmington for 19 years and as the Sussex County and Kent County engineer for several years. At the time of his death, he was employed as an engineer for the Delaware Division of Natural Resources and Environmental Control.
He enjoyed traveling, motorcycling and most especially spending time with his family. He was a very devoted husband, father, grandfather and friend. He will be remembered for his love and caring, and his creative sense of humor.
Mr. Henry was a longtime member of Christ Episcopal Church, Dover, a past president of the Kent and Sussex Co. Chapter for the Delaware Society for Professional Engineers, a member of the Water Pollution Control Federation, the American Waterworks Association and the American Public Works Association.
He was preceded in death by his first wife, Phyllis Adams Henry, in 1974, and a daughter, Nancy Maher, in 1997.
He is survived by his wife of 26 years, Jeanne Maynadier Henry; five daughters, Kathleen Turcotte of Florida, Karen Kennedy of Federalsburg, Md., Sandra Ploskon of Bear, Suzanne Monath of Georgetown and Ann Maher-Flood of Milton; seven grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.
Burial was in the churchyard adjoining Christ Episcopal Church, Dover.
C. Donald Hodge
Memorial services for C. Donald Hodge, 73, of Dover will be held at 1 p.m. Thursday, June 17, at the Dover Elks Lodge, Forrest Avenue, Dover. A reception will follow the memorial services.
Mr. Hodge died Monday, June 14, 2004, in his home.
Mr. Hodge was born Feb. 17, 1931, in Dover, son of the late Charles W. and Hazel Tunnell Hodge.
He served in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean conflict.
Following his military service, Mr. Hodge began his career with ILC Industries, Dover, in the personnel department. He then worked for city government for more than 30 years, beginning with the city of Dover, culminating in the position of acting city manager. The balance of his career in municipal government was with the town of Smyrna, where he served as town manager until his retirement 10 years ago.
He was an avid backyard gardener, enjoyed the outdoors, the beach and his pets.
Mr. Hodge was a member of the Dover Elks 1903 for 37 years, a life member of Robbins Hose Fire Co. and a member of the Del Vets.
He is survived by his wife, the former Charlotte Orvis, to whom he was married 47 years; a son and daughter-in-law, Michael and Jacqueline Hodge of Lusby, Md.; a daughter, Amber Hodge of Marietta, Ga.; four grandchildren, Michael Hodge II, Max Hodge, Alexander Hansen and Victoria Hansen; and a sister, Marlynn Hedgecock of Casa Grande, Ariz.
Instead of flowers, contributions may be made to Kent County SPCA, Shelter Circle, Camden, DE 19934.
Arrangements were by Torbert Funeral Chapels, Dover.
James Intorcia Jr.
Funeral services for James Intorcia Jr., 76, of Dover were held Monday, June 14, at Torbert Funeral Chapel South, Dover. Mr. Intorcia died peacefully Thursday, June 10, 2004, in his home after enduring a long and courageous battle with cancer.
Mr. Intorcia was born Sept. 23, 1927, in Carthage, N.Y., son of the late James and Ellis Intorcia.
He was a World War II veteran and served in the U.S. Navy Pacific fleet as a machinist mate. He worked at Fairchild Aircraft of Hagerstown, Md., and Dover Air Force Base, and retired in 1990 from Atlantic Aviation in New Castle after 28 years.
He played in a senior bowling league in Dover and enjoyed billiards with his friends. He loved woodworking, crafts, music and playing his guitar. He enjoyed traveling and many other recreational activities especially spending time with his family and friends.
Mr. Intorcia was a member of Harrington Moose Lodge 534, Veterans of Foreign Wars, American Legion and Harrington Senior Center. He also volunteered and was a member of the Modern Maturity Center. He sang with the Melody Group for nursing homes.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Constance Brigandi Intorcia, in 1996.
He is survived by his loving companion and care giver, Carmela Donovan; a son and daughter-in-law, David and Kathy Intorcia of Illinois; two daughters and their husbands, Deborah and Robert Rossman and Jo Anne and William Myers, all of Maryland; seven grandchildren, Nicholas Intorcia, Lauren Intorcia, Michael Rossman, Ryan Rossman, Gera Faith, Billie Jo Robinson and Megan Myers; and three great grandchildren, Allison Rossman, Rylee Rossman and William Faith.
Burial was in Gracelawn Memorial Park Cemetery, New Castle.
William H. ‘Willie’ Johnson Jr.
Friends of William H. “Willie” Johnson Jr., 61, of Dover may call from 7 until 9 p.m. Wednesday, June 16, at the Faries Funeral Chapel, 29 S. Main St., Smyrna, where funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. the following day, Thursday, June 17.
Mr. Johnson died Sunday, June 13, 2004, in his home.
Mr. Johnson was born Aug. 4, 1942, in Wilmington, third of seven children of the late William H. Sr. and Elva Jordan Johnson.
He was a graduate of the William Henry High School in Dover.
After high school, Mr. Johnson enlisted in the U.S. Air Force and worked as an airplane mechanic while stationed at Langley Air Force Base, Va. He was discharged from the Air Force in 1966, and was employed at General Foods Corp. in Dover until 1981.
Mr. Johnson was seriously injured while playing softball and was forced to retire, but that did not stop him from continuing his involvement in the game by becoming a very successful softball coach. He enjoyed coaching in the Little Lass Softball League, especially in the mid-1980s. These ladies were the joy of his life and he constantly reminded everyone how good his ladies could play the game.
Mr. Johnson was an exceptional pool player and played in pool leagues and tournaments throughout the state of Delaware, despite his physical handicap. He had a unique ability to associate with people of all walks of life equally, and was comfortable wherever he went and well known and loved by many people. He was also an avid hunter and fisherman.
He is survived by his wife, Joyce Chase Johnson, whom he married May 22, 1971; two sons, Ernest Scott of Georgetown and Michael Kohler of St. Louis, Mo.; and a daughter, Tiffany D. Johnson of Dover.
Mr. Johnson also is survived by a brother, Robert C. Johnson Sr. of Smyrna; four sisters, Vera Yvonne Wright of Clayton, Victoria Syvilla Evans of Las Vegas, Nev., and Sara Mala Johnson and Maria Laverne Williams, both of Dover; and four grandchildren, Erick M. Johnson, Maurice Scott, I’Yana Scott and Chase Kohler.
Instead of flowers, the family suggests contributions be made to the Smyrna-Clayton Little Lass League, P.O. Box 55 Smyrna, DE 19977.
Burial will be in the Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Bear.
Lorraine B. ‘Doll’ Mentzer
Memorial services for Lorraine B. “Doll” Mentzer, 84, of Dover, will be held at 1:30 p.m. Friday, June 18, at Trader Funeral Home, Dover, where friends may call one hour prior. Ms. Mentzer died Friday, June 11, 2004, in Bayhealth-Kent General Hospital, Dover.
Ms. Mentzer was born Feb. 18, 1920, in Elkton, Md., daughter of the late James A. and Ardella H. Biddle Mentzer.
She was employed at the Dover Laundry and Dry Cleaners by the McClements family from 1950 to 1990, by which time the business was owned by Stuart Outten. She was a highly valued and popular employee.
Ms. Mentzer was an avid reader of current events, and followed topics of interest both locally and nationally. She was a gracious and generous aunt and extremely fond of all her nephews and nieces. She followed their schooling, their careers and their marriages closely. Each one was special to her and she was special to all of them. She will be greatly missed.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her sister, Mary Brown of Georgia; a brother Charles Mentzer of Florida; and her longtime special friend, Ted Faries of Dover.
She is survived by four sisters, Nellie Baker, Anne Quillen and Ardella Hannum, all of Dover, and Sarah Jane Litwa of Pennsylvania; a brother, Robert Mentzer of Ohio; a niece who helped care for her, Barbra Hurley of Dover; and many other nieces, nephews and great-nieces and nephews.
Instead of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions to Robbins Hose Fire Co. or the Salvation Army.
Burial will be in the Sharon Hill Memorial Park. A remembrance reception will be offered by the nieces in the living room of Building 4 at Luther Towers, 430 Kings Highway, Dover, following the burial.
Walker L. Mifflin Jr.
Services for Walker L. Mifflin Jr., 86, of Dover were held Monday, June 14, at Torbert Funeral Chapel, Dover. Mr. Mifflin died Tuesday, June 8, 2004, at Bayhealth-Kent General Hospital, Dover.
Mr. Mifflin was born March 25, 1918, in Dover, son of the late Walker L. Mifflin Sr. and Mary Edith Richards.
He attended Saint Andrews School in Middletown and graduated with a degree in architecture from Swarthmore College in Pennsylvania.
Mr. Mifflin was a U.S. Navy veteran of World War II.
He worked as a civilian for the U.S. Navy as a clerical worker for 30 years in Washington, D.C. After his retirement, he moved back to the Dover area.
Mr. Mifflin was a member of Christ Episcopal Church in Dover.
He was preceded in death by a sister, Laura S. Mifflin, in 1999.
He is survived by a twin brother and sister-in-law, Charles F.R. and Katherine Mifflin of Dover.
Burial was in Friends Meeting House Cemetery, Camden.
John R. Murphy
Services for John R. Murphy, 37, of Dover were held Monday, June 14, at Trader Funeral Home, Dover. Mr. Murphy died of heart failure Sunday, June 6, 2004, at Bayhealth-Kent General Hospital, Dover.
Mr. Murphy was born on Feb. 18, 1967, son of Richard and the late Joanne Simmons Murphy.
He had attended Caesar Rodney School District up until the 11th grade. He also attended Kent Vocational School, where he majored in carpentry.
He was a carpenter/painter by trade, and worked at Dover Air Force Base for the civil engineering squadron for two years. He also worked for Quaker City Motor Parts in Middletown as a warehouse/relief driver from 1997-2000. He was a stay-at-home father due to a car accident in 2000 that left him with neck and back injuries.
Mr. Murphy was an avid bowler and bowled in many tournaments and houses. In the past two years he had bowled two 299 games and had two 300 games. He was especially proud of his most recent high average of 222. This was a major accomplishment for him because it was the highest average in the history of his home bowling center Brunswick Doverama.
He also loved to golf, fish, and watch and collect NASCAR memorabilia. He was a wonderful and loving husband and father. He will be sadly missed by all.
He is survived by his loving wife of 14 years, Heather Lynn Murphy of Dover; two sons, Jacob Richard Murphy and Connor Joseph Murphy; and two daughters, Laura Lee Murphy and Hannah Marie Murphy.
In addition, he is survived by his father, Richard Murphy and his companion, Louise Dixon of Magnolia; two brothers and a sister-in-law, Ben and Donna Murphy of Dover and David Murphy and his companion Carol Sweeney of Frederica; and three sisters and their husbands, Benita and James Minner of Dover, Sarah and Larry Corder of Milford and Jodi and Brad Guffey of Tulsa, Okla.
Mr. Murphy also is survived by his grandmother-in-law, Dolories Jobes of Felton; his father-in-law, Edward Lloyd of Dover; his mother-in-law and stepfather-in-law, Barbara and Billy Thompson of Magnolia; and his brother-in-law, Edward Lloyd Jr. and his companion Melanie Pardee of Felton; his sister-in-law, Kim Lloyd and her companion Chris White of Magnolia.
Finally, Mr. Murphy is survived by a special aunt and uncle, Cindy and Eddie Jobes; several close family friends, William Laramore of Dover, Eric Korona of Magnolia and Ernie Gallo of Camden; and by several nieces, nephews, friends and bowling acquaintances too numerous to mention.
Funeral services for Annaetta Ridgeway, 67, of Smyrna were held Sunday, June 13, in Immanuel United Methodist Church, Cheswold. Mrs. Ridgeway died Thursday, June 10, 2004, in her home with her family present.
Mrs. Ridgeway was born Oct. 19, 1936, in Cheswold to the late Benjamin and Dorothy (Morgan) Ridgeway.
She was a homemaker and enjoyed playing bingo. In her early years, she attended Union Baptist Church in Cheswold.
In addition to her parents, she was proceeded in death by two brothers, Benjamin Ridgeway Jr., and Floyd Morgan; two sons, David W. Ridgeway and Mark Ridgeway; and a daughter, Robin Ridgeway.
She is survived by her husband of 50 years, Earl Ridgeway Jr.; and two sons and their wives, Garry and Gail Ridgeway and Roger and Dee Ridgeway, all of Dover.
Mrs. Ridgeway also is survived by three brothers, Anthony “Dewey” Ridgeway of Townsend, Charles Ridgeway of Magnolia and Raymond Ridgeway of Dover; three sisters, Betty Garnett of Elkton, Md., Mary Garnett of Smyrna and Leona Morris of Dover; three grandchildren, Travis Ridgeway, Tori Ridgeway and Roger Ridgeway; and two great-grandchildren, Talley Ridgeway and Madison Ridgeway.
Burial was in the Immanuel United Methodist Church Cemetery.
