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.
Funeral services for Robert A. “Bob” Rather, 67, of Dover, will be held at noon Thursday, June 23, at the Kent Christian Center, Dover, where friends may call two hours prior to the service. Mr. Rather died Sunday, June 19, 2005, in his home.
Mr. Rather was born in Los Angeles, son of the late W. Robert Rather and Mamie Melton.
He was a proud, 20-year veteran of the United States Air Force, and had retired from the Sara Lee Corporation in December 2004, where he had worked as a laboratory technician.
Mr. Rather was a loving and caring person, who enjoyed cooking, fishing and helping others. He was a master carpet layer and upholsterer.
Mr. Rather was a faithful member of Kent Christian Center for 31 years, where he served as a Sunday school teacher, head usher, director of the Senior Saints and a member of the Men’s Department. He was a true and faithful Christian who loved God with all his heart. He will be missed terribly by his family and friends.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a daughter, Tricia Renee Rather.
Mr. Rather is survived by is wife, Dorothy Lee Rather, the love of his life of 42 years; three daughters and a son-in-law, Yolanda and John Greene of Middletown, Sharon Aikens of Dover and Rachel Brooks-Rather of Columbus, Ohio; a son and daughter-in-law, Steven and Nicole Rather of Elkton, Md.; his uncle, James Miree of San Antonio, Texas; 10 grandchildren and a host of nieces and nephews as well as his entire church family.
Memorials may be offered to Kent Christian Center, Dover.
Arrangements are by Bennie Smith Funeral Home, Dover.
Interment will be in Sharon Hills Memorial Park, Dover.
Ralph Gurdon Sellew Jr.
Ralph Gurdon Sellew Jr., 81, of Dover died Saturday, June 18, 2005, in Green Meadows Nursing Home, Dover.
Mr. Sellew was born June 20, 1923, in East Hampton, Conn., son of the late Ralph G. and Helen P. Buell Sewell.
He was a proud veteran of the United States Army, having served during World War II.
Mr. Sellew had lived in Arizona and Connecticut, where he had worked as an assistant vice president for Connecticut Bank and Trust.
Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Doris M. Sellew.
Mr. Sellew is survived by a niece, Ellen Holler and her husband Joe of Dover; a nephew, Ralph Phil and his wife Charlott of East Hampton, Conn.; two stepdaughters, Joyce Dillon of Hampton and Linda Giargowski of Mansfield Center, Conn.
Arrangements were by Pippin Funeral Home, Wyoming.
A celebration of life for Grover Cleveland “Whitey” Voshell, 73, of Dover, was held Tuesday, June 21 at the Trader Funeral Home, Dover. Mr. Voshell died June 14, 2005.
Mr. Voshell was born Jan. 23, 1932, at Chapeltown Corner, Marydel, fifth child to the late Luthur Arthur and Sadie Reed Voshell.
Mr. Voshell was a 1949 graduate of Caesar Rodney High School, after which he entered the United States Army, serving during the Korean War. He married the love of his life, Grace Elizabeth Foxx on July 5, 1952.
After leaving the Army, he began a 32-year career with the U.S. Postal Service, retiring in 1989 as Postmaster of Hartly. After his retirement from the Postal Service, he returned to a career in retail management including the Meatland Food Store in Harrington. After retiring from Meatland, he worked part-time for Rite Aid Pharmacy, Happy Harry’s Pharmacy and Byler’s Country Store. He finally retired for the last time in 2003.
In addition to his parents, Mr. Voshell was preceded in death by his beloved wife in 1991; a sister, Elizabeth A. Seaman in 1990; a brother, Kline C. Voshell in 1976; and the paternal grandmother who raised him, Annie M. Voshell.
He is survived by a son, Budd Voshell of Hartly; three daughters, Karen J. Kosky and her husband Tom of Milton, Anna M. Fansler and her fiancé Benjamin Clarke of Hartly and Grace E. Hall of Bridgeville; a brother and a sister-in-law, Roy and Evelyn Voshell of Dover; a sister, Kathryn V. Bickling of Smyrna; 10 grandchildren, including a very special granddaughter, Brandy E. Strauss and her husband Jason; 10 great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Interment was in Sharon Hills Memorial Park, Dover.
The Rev. Henry H. Williams
Funeral services for the Rev. Henry H. Williams, 66, of Dover were held Tuesday, June 21, at the Bennie Smith Funeral Home, Dover. The Rev. Williams died Tuesday, June 14, 2005.
The Rev. Williams was born July 14, 1938, in Ridgeville, S.C., the son of Iola Williams and the late Samuel Naham Williams.
He was educated in the public school system of Berkley County, S.C., and graduated from Zion High School in Cross, S.C. He began his career by driving chartered buses and school buses for many years.
He was baptized at the age of 15 and was one of the youngest deacons under the tutelage of the late Bishop James Ravenell Sr. Called to the ministry at an early age, he served not only from the pulpit but in the community by praying and chauffeuring the bishop.
Throughout his ministry, he traveled through South Carolina, New York and Delaware and it was while working as a bus driver in Dover he received the call to start a youth ministry. This work eventually grew to include approximately 30 children who were taught the Christian life.
On Oct. 12, 1958, the Rev. Williams married the former Lannie Swinney; together the couple became the parents of two sons, David Wright, now of Dayton, Ohio, Anthony Craig Williams, now of Ridgeville, S.C., and an adopted daughter, Denise Watson, now of Brooklyn, N.Y.
In addition to his mother, wife and children, the Rev. Williams is survived by four grandchildren, Takiya Watson, Jewel Day, Teron Watson and Anthony W. Lawrence; four siblings and the spouses of two Betty and John Gibbs, Horace and Ella Williams, Delores White and Lillian Brown, all of South Carolina; two goddaughters, LaTania King and Zaria Ellis; four sisters-in-law; two brothers-in-law; a devoted aunt, Carrie Boyd; and a host of aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews and his entire church family.
Arrangements are by the Bennie Smith Funeral Home, Dover.
Interment will be in Sharon Hills Memorial Park, Dover.
Margaret L. Williams
Funeral services for Margaret L. Williams, 70, of Dover, were held Saturday, June 18 in the Bennie Smith Funeral Home, Dover. Ms. Williams died after a brief illness Monday, June 13, 2005, in Bayhealth-Kent General Hospital, Dover.
Ms. Williams was born Feb. 12, 1935, daughter of the late Walter and Dorethea Little Wright.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a son, Darryl Williams; and a brother, Ronald Wright.
Ms. Williams is survived by her beloved partner of 31 years, Jesse Walker Jr. of Dover; three daughters, Denise Williams-Miller of Highpoint, N.C. and Sherry Williams and Paula Williams, both of Saginaw, Mich.; two sisters, Martha Baskin and Kay Francis Flowers, both of Highpoint; seven grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Howard N. Abbott Sr.
Funeral services for Howard N. Abbott Sr., 86, of Dover, will be held Wednesday, March 9, in the Pippin Funeral Home, 119 W. Camden-Wyoming Ave., Wyoming, where friends may call starting two hours before. Mr. Abbott died Sunday, March 6, 2005, in his home surrounded by his family.
Mr. Abbott was born Oct. 23, 1918, in Wyoming, son of the late John and Mary Boggs Abbott.
He was a proud veteran of the U.S. Army having served during World War II.
Mr. Abbott began his working career as a farm manager for Goldinger Farms and later joined Wyoming Concrete, retiring at the age of 73.
He enjoyed his retirement by spending time with family and friends and attending auctions. He was an avid horseman and enjoyed riding his Appaloosa. His favorite horse was his cutting horse, Buddy.
Mr. Abbott started his mornings by gathering with his friends at the Route 8 Hardee’s Coffee Club.
Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Olive Abbott in 1988; and a son, Howard Abbott Jr. in 1989.
Mr. Abbott is survived by a daughter and son-in-law, Nancy A. and Larry Durham Larry of Dover; and two brothers and their wives, Roland and Mariene Abbott of Camden and the Rev. John D. and Gladys Abbott of Elkhart, Ind.
He also is survived by eight grandchildren, Kevin Bordeaux and his wife Michelle of Dover, Kimberlee Krempasky and her husband James of Valrico, Fla., Amanda Baker of Dover, Howard Abbott III of Dover, Marc Abbott of Fairfield, Iowa, Shawn Abbott of Fairfield, Iowa, Sherry Steele of Dover and Briana Lyons of Dover; 13 great grandchildren; and special friends Dorothy Allen of Dover, Judy Mitchell of Georgetown and Kenneth Richards of Wyoming.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions to Delaware Hospice, 911 S. DuPont Highway, Dover, DE 19901.
Interment will be in Sharon Hills Memorial Park, Dover.
Mildred Kauffman Campbell
Memorial services for Mildred Kauffman Campbell, 75, of Dover were held Monday, March 7, in Faith Community Church, Camden. Mrs. Campbell died after a courageous battle with leukemia Wednesday, March 2, 2005, in her home.
Mrs. Campbell was born Nov. 22, 1929, one of four daughters of the late Joseph X. and Lovina Y. Kauffman. She had been a resident of Dover since 1962.
She was a 1947 graduate of the former Brown Vocational High School in Wilmington, where she studied needle trades.
Mrs. Campbell worked as a seamstress for Wiltex Company in Wilmington until her marriage to U.S. Air Force veteran James Campbell Jr.
She enjoyed traveling and was known locally for her love of babysitting.
Mrs. Campbell was a born-again Christian and a member of Faith Community Church in Camden, where she was known as “Miss Millie.” She also was active for several years in the Fresh Air program, hosting New York City children in her home during the summer.
In addition to her husband of 53 years, Mrs. Campbell is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Bruce and Terry Campbell of Camden; a daughter and son-in-law, Bonnie and Anthony Stark of Middletown; six grandchildren, Amanda Campbell, Emily Campbell, Schaeffer Stark, Sullivan Stark, Schuler Stark and Campbell Stark; and a sister, Evelyn K. Washall of near Newark.
Arrangements were by Torbert Funeral Chapels, Dover.
Wilbur Cook, 75, of Dover died Saturday, March 5, 2005, in Capitol Health Care Center, Dover.
Mr. Cook was born Jan. 8, 1930, in Tuscaloosa, Ala., son of the late William L. and Flora Ann Williams Cook.
He was a veteran of the U.S. Army during the Korean conflict.
Mr. Cook enjoyed working on electronics, especially citizens band radios and televisions. He also liked listening to jazz and watching Western movies.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife of 43 years, Julie Cook, in May 2004; and his son-in-law, Barry Champion.
He is survived by a son and daughter-in-law, Floyd and Helen Cook of Newark; a daughter, Donna Champion of Lenoir City, Tenn.; a granddaughter, Althea Thomas of New Jersey; and a great-grandson, Nathaniel Bryce Champion.
Services were private.
Arrangements were by Torbert Funeral Chapels, Dover.
Interment was in the Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Bear, with Mrs. Cook.
