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.
Celebration of Life services for Pierre V. Stevens, 61, of Dover, will be held at 7 p.m. Sunday, May 11, in the Trader Funeral Home, 12 Lotus St., Dover, where friends may call beginning at 7 p.m. Mr. Stevens died Friday, May 2, 2008, in the University of Maryland Hospital, Baltimore,
Mr. Stevens was born Oct. 3, 1946, in Canonsburg, Pa., son of the late Howard and Emma Vandale Stevens.
He attended Duke University in Durham, N.C., and graduated from California State University in California, Pa., in 1970 with a B.S.Ed. in English education. Upon graduation he moved to Dover, where he was a teacher of English from 1970-1979 at Dover High School.
Mr. Stevens participated in curriculum development, and was the local Delaware State President of American Federation of Teachers. In addition, he was an advocate for all teachers as a leader, as he helped to accomplish the Capital School District’s first professional contract.
He volunteered on a number of committees for the Department of Education and was a member of the Delaware Association of English Teachers and wrote articles for their English Journal.
Deciding to leave teaching, he moved into a career that encompassed his love of cars.
Mr. Stevens worked for a variety of car dealerships throughout Delaware and also in Salisbury. Md. He then moved into the financial world, where he worked at Morgan Stanley-Dean Witter, Wachovia Securities and Wachovia Bank, where he remained until his death.
He was a warm, giving, extremely intelligent and well-spoken person.
Mr. Stevens served on several state appointed committees, including the Governors Advisory Council to the Delaware Department of Substance Abuse and Mental Health as a full member, having chaired subcommittees on Employment and Child Mental Health. He also was co-chair of the Professional Standards Counsel for Delaware Department of Education.
He was a founding member of the board of directors, and president of the board from 1999-2006 of Positive Outcomes Charter School, one of the first charter schools in the state. He felt this was one of his greatest accomplishments.
Mr. Stevens had a wonderful sense of humor, and it was not unusual that he have 10 books stacked by the bedside, all in some stage of being read. He was known for his eloquent speaking ability, but most of all his love of people and his overwhelming desire to help others, no matter who they were.
He passionately loved his work, Duke basketball, the Pittsburgh Steelers, learning and Nascar. He liked to build and fix things, complete crossword puzzles in ink, and enjoy his friends and family as a devoted husband and father.
Mr. Stevens is survived by his wife of 31 years, Mary Ann Williams Stevens of Dover; his sons, Marc Pierre and Andrew Williams Stevens; a brother and sister-in-law, Howard O. and Linda Stevens of Severna Park, Md., and their children Amy and Laddy; his sister and brother- in-law, Mary Jane and Charles Roskosz of Santa Cruz, Calif., and their children Amy and Dean; a sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Jane Ellan and Warren Golde of Lewes and their children Todd and Meredith; his aunt, Anna Mae O’Leary of Sleepy Hollow, N.Y.; and numerous grandnephews and grandnieces.
Funeral services for Joseph D. Tull, 87, of Dover, were held Monday, May 5, in the Mount Zion A.M.E. Church, Dover. Mr. Tull died Wednesday, April 30, 2008, in Bayhealth-Kent General Hospital, Dover.
Mr. Tull was born April 27, 1921, in Philadelphia, son of the late Damon W. and Cleo R. Tull.
He was a son of the Parsonage, as his father before him was a pastor and presiding elder. He received his formal education in Philadelphia.
Mr. Tull was converted at an early age at his home church, St. Matthew A.M.E. in Philadelphia. He was a graduate of the Philadelphia College of the Bible, and attended Temple University in Philadelphia. He was the recipient of an honorary doctoral degree from Monrovia College.
Mr. Tull was ordained an itinerant elder in the African Methodist Episcopal Church, and began his pastoral sojourn at Ben Salem A.M.E. Church, where he served for one year. Other pastorates include Allen Chapel A.M.E. in Atlantic City, N.J., followed by Bethel A.M.E. in Milford, where he pastored from 1969 to 1977. He then was appointed presiding elder of the Dover District of the Delaware Conference in April 1977 by Bishop Richard Allen Hildebrand.
He remained as such for 26 years and supervised 20 churches in the Dover district.
He was a member of the trustee board for the Delaware Conference, consultant for the Board of Examiners, treasurer of the First District Ministerial Education Fund, and treasurer of the Delaware Conference. He was the founder of the “New” John Wesley A.M.E. Church Deliverance Center in Dover.
He had been employed by the U.S. Post Office for 22 years, and was a U.S. Army veteran, having served from 1942 to 1946 in the 92nd Buffalo Infantry Division. He was honorably discharged as a master sergeant having served in World War II in Italy. He also was the recipient of the Purple Heart Medal.
Dedicated to kingdom-building and service to humanity, Mr. Tull had a host of accomplishments in many arenas of life. He was a positive influence in the lives of many young black men. He also was a substitute teacher for many years in the Milford School District.
Mr. Tull was the first black to speak at a Milford High School commencement ceremony; was instrumental in breaking racial barriers for membership in the Milford Fire Co.; was a former member of the Milford Fire Co.; was the first black to run for mayor in Harrington; was instrumental in development of subsidized housing for low income persons; built 80 units of town houses and apartments in Milford; served on the board for an additional 12 units of single family houses in Milford, Lucia Circle; was past president of the Milford Housing Development Corp.; has a street named for him, Tull Way; served on the board of directors of the Harrington Senior Center and Harrington Day Care; was a member of the Delaware Community Reinvestment Act Committee; was a member of the Foundation Board Bayhealth Medical Center, and was president of the board of directors for the Topoko Foundation, and a private medical center.
On Dec. 6, 2006, he was presented the Omega Religious Award by Psi Iota Chapter, Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc. of Dover, and was honored at the “Back to Bethel Homecoming Celebration” in Milford, by the Buffalo Soldiers Motorcycle Club, which presented him the American flag that was flown over the U.S. Capitol on March 5, 2007, at the request of Delaware Sen. Thomas R. Carper, in honor of Black History Month, along with a distinguished Buffalo Soldier Award.
Mr. Tull is survived by his devoted wife, Charlotte; seven children and the spouses of two, the Rev. Deborah Tull-Speakes, Charles and April, Harry, James and Barbara, and Wanda and Carolyn Browne, and Faith Ann Lamb; 10 grandchildren and the spouse of one, Jamal and Bernadette, Jeremiah, Jamie, Vanessa, Terence, James, Ian, Dominque, LaTonya, and Cherdae; and two great-grandchildren; Shara and Jamal Jr.
He also is survived by four brothers-in-law and their wives, Andrew and Bessie Sullivan, Philip and Evelyn Dixon, the Rev. Walter and Constanvila Dixon, and Harry and Debbie Dixon; charter adopted families, Charles and Shamaine Moore and their children, Seleena, Catrena and Chaz, Theresa and Donnie Barlow; and a host of nephews, nieces, cousins, and many friends.
Arrangements were by Bennie Smith Funeral Home, Dover.
Marie Washington Arnold
Funeral services for Marie Washington Arnold, 82, of Tampa, Fla., formerly of Dover, were held Sunday, April 12, in the Mt. Tabor Missionary Baptist Church, Tampa. Mrs. Arnold died Monday, April 8, 2008, in Dover.
Mrs. Arnold was born May 14, 1925, in Greenville, Madison Co., Fla., daughter of the late Thomas Washington and Annie Jackson Washington.
She was educated in the public school system of Madison County.
Mrs. Arnold was a faithful member of the Mt. Tabor Missionary Baptist Church, where she remained until she moved to Dover to live with her daughter and son-in-law, Annie M. and Nathaniel Robinson.
She had served faithfully and untiringly in the General Mission (Circle 4), Choir No. 1, Faith Sunday School Class and the Ways and Means Ministry.
While in Delaware, Mrs. Arnold affiliated under Watch Care with the Mt. Zion A.M.E. Church. Her numerous church affiliations included the Active Adult Group of Whatcoat United Methodist Church and the Modern Maturity Center. She also was a member of the Order of the Herons of Jericho, a spokesperson for the Greater Tampa Bay United Way, where she also served as a foster grandparent for the Drug Abuse Program, and was a founding member of the Carver City Homeowners Association and numerous other organizations.
She was a very caring and loving person who touched the lives of everyone she knew in a very special way. She always was willing to lend a hand to anyone in need.
In addition to her parents, Mrs. Arnold was preceded in death by her husband, Cleveland Arnold, whom she had married in 1948 in Tampa; a son, Thomas Arnold; and four siblings.
In addition to her daughter and son-in-law, Mrs. Arnold is survived by an adopted daughter, Mary H. Davis of Tampa; five sons and their wives; Eugene Payne and Marie Yates of Tampa, Robert and Frances Payne of New Orleans, Cleveland Jr. and Donna Arnold of Tallahassee, Fla., and Anthony and Sherrie Arnold and Ray C. and Terri Arnold, all of Atlanta, Ga.
She also is survived by three sisters and a brother-in-law, Williphene Jennings of Greenville, Fla., Johnnie Mae Mack of Ocala, Fla., and Callie and Burton Clemons of St. Petersburg, Fla.; two brothers and a sister-in-law, Joe Louis Washington of Cleveland, Ohio and the Rev. Ernest O. and Carrie Washington of Madison, Fla.; her sisters-in-law, Willie Mae Henry of Williston, Fla., Mary Helen Davis of Tampa, and Lucille Parker of Jacksonville, Fla.; and her brothers-in-law, George Rollins of Archer, Fla., and Bassett Parker of Jacksonville.
Mrs. Arnold also is survived by three aunts, Pearl Washington of Greenville, Susie Washington of New York, and Rena Allen of Broward County, Fla.; two aunts-in-law, of Greenville; 23 grandchildren; 30 great-grandchildren; a special cousin, Easter Cowan; a goddaughter, Gloria Barnes; a special friend, Evelyn Mobley; and a host of nieces, nephews and friends, including the Yates family, the Olds family and the Davis family.
Interment was in the Rest Haven Memorial Park, Tampa.
A memorial service is scheduled for 6 p.m. Thursday, April 24, at the Mt. Zion A.M.E. Church, 101 N. Queen St., Dover.
Arrangements were by the Ray Williams Funeral Home, Tampa.
Thelma Ruth Bartnik
Funeral services for Thelma Ruth Bartnik, 87, of Dover, were held Saturday, April 19, in Owings, Md. Mrs. Bartnik died Saturday, April 12, 2008, at the home of her niece in Mercersburg, Pa.
Mrs. Bartnik was born Sept. 30, 1912, in Lower Marlboro, Calvert County, Md.
She was raised in Calvert County and attended school there before marrying Frank Bartnik Jr., and moving to Baltimore, Media, Pa., and finally to Dover in 1970. They owned and maintained a summer home in Cove Point, Calvert County, for many years.
Mrs. Bartnik was a homemaker and an excellent cook. She enjoyed traveling with her husband, and they took many trips throughout the United States and abroad.
She was preceded in death by her husband on Aug. 4, 2005.
Mrs Bartnik is survived by numerous nieces and nephews.
Interment was in the Lower Marlboro United Methodist Church Cemetery.
Memorial contributions in Mrs. Bartnik’s name maybe sent to Lutheran Home Care Services, Hospice of the Good Shepherd, 2700 Luther Drive, Chambersburg, PA 18202.
Helen Ann Bloom
Remembrance services for Helen Ann Bloom,78, of Dover, will be held at 1 p.m. Friday, April 25, in the Trader Funeral Home, 12 Lotus St., Dover, where friends may call beginning at noon. Ms. Bloom died Sunday, April 20, 2008, at her Dover home.
Mrs. Bloom was born March 29, 1930, in Medina, N.Y., daughter of the late Samuel and Rose Fitzgerald Hightower.
She was a member of the Bravo organization, DAV Widows Club, and the Sunshine Foundation. She was a long time resident of Dover and often volunteered to serve the Dover Air Force Base community. She enjoyed reading, playing bingo, and spending time her family.
Ms. Bloom was preceded in death by her husband, Donald L. Bloom.
She is survived by a son, Steven Bloom of Dover; a daughter, Laura Archacki of Quarryville, Pa., and two grandchildren, Amanda and Michael Jr.
Memorial contributions in Ms. Bloom’s name may be made to the Breast Cancer Relief Fund, 615 Baronne St., Suite 301, New Orleans, LA 70113.
Maj. Samuel Randolph ‘Pete’ Bullen, US Army (Ret.)
Funeral services for Samuel Randolph “Pete” Bullen, 85, of Harrington, were held Tuesday, April 22, in the Fellows, Helfenbein, and Newnam Funeral Home, Chester, Md. Mr. Bullen died Thursday, April 17, 2008, at the Delaware Hospice Center, with his family present.
Mr. Bullen was born Aug. 18, 1922, in Stevensville, Md., son of the late Claire Sydney and Samuel R. Bullen.
He was raised in Stevensville and attended Stevensville High School.
Mr. Bullen enlisted in the United States Army Dec. 4, 1939, serving a 20-year active duty career. He received numerous commendations including the Army Commendation Medal, the Soldier’s Medal, the Presidential Unit Citation, the National Defense Service Medal, as well as many others.
As a member of the 29th Infantry Division, he landed on the beach at Normandy along with many other local soldiers.
After attending officer candidate school, Mr. Bullen was involved in the Korean War as a transportation and logistics specialist. It was during the Korean War he received the Soldier’s Medal for bravery. He ended his military career with retirement at the rank of major.
Following his retirement, he moved to Oxford, Md., where he would serve as a town policeman. He then went to work for the Department of Army as a civil servant for 21 years in the transportation and logistics business, retiring in the late 1980s.
Mr. Bullen returned to Stevensville and married Virginia Britt in 1988. Later, the couple moved to Clearwater, Fla., and later returned to Harrington.
Over the years, he was active with the Elks, Veterans of Foreign Wars, American Legion, and Moose in the various towns in which he lived.
In addition to his parents, Mr. Bullen was preceded in death by sisters, Emma Katherine O’Donnell, Clara Galicki and Thelma Thomas; and his son, Larry Bullen, who died in the Vietnam War.
He is survived by his beloved wife, Virginia Britt Bullen of Harrington; a son, Patrick Bullen of Oxford; three stepdaughters, Joann Willis of Easton, Md., Valerie Williams of Westminister, Md., and Robin Ducharme of Salisbury, Md.; a sister and brother-in-law, Louise and Albert Greaves of Queenstown, Md.; nine grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
Memorial contributions in Mr. Bullen’s name may be made to Hope Lodge/American Cancer Society, 636 W. Lexington St., Baltimore, MD 21201.
Joel W. Davis
Memorial services for Joel W. Davis, 87, of Dover, were held Sunday, April 20, in the Church of Christ, Smyrna. Mr. Davis died Thursday, April 17, 2008.
Mr. Davis was born Feb. 28, 1921, in Kannapolis, N.C., son of the late Lewis M. and Janie M. Davis.
He worked as a salesman for various concerns over his lifetime in the steel and real estate industries. His wife and family were the most important things in his life.
Throughout his life, he loved the outdoors, finding peace and balance in all things natural. He especially loved growing and maintaining fruit trees and grapevines. Given appropriate space, he would create a garden everywhere he lived.
A veteran of World War II, he served with the U.S. Marine Corps from 1939 to 1944, surviving the attack at Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his bride of 60 years, Shirley G. Davis; and five sisters, Della Wallace, Minnie Vernon, Estelle Campbell, Dolly Franks and Margeret Fox.
Mr. Davis is survived by two sisters, Annabelle Osborne of Davidson, N.C., and Billie Kerley of Hiddnite, N.C.; a brother, Dean Davis of Fairmont, N.C.; five children, Sheila Jo Davis of Bristol, Va., Joel W. Davis of Dover, Johnny Wayne Davis of Bloomsburg, Pa., Deborah Bosh of Grand Junction, Colo., and Susan R. Davis of Asheville, N.C.; 12 grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
Interment will take place at Arlington National Cemetery at 11 a.m. Monday, June 9, in the Fort Meyer Chapel.
Arrangements were by Bennie Smith Funeral Home, Dover.
