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 Sarah Jean Donovan, 69, of Dover, were held Tuesday, Dec. 18, in Torbert Funeral Chapel, Dover. Mrs. Donovan died Friday, Dec. 14, 2007, in Bayhealth-Kent General Hospital.
Mrs. Donovan was born July 11, 1938, in Rockland, daughter of the late Thomas D. and Sarah E. Sanders.
She was a customer service representative with WSFS bank for about 25 years, retiring in 1991.
In addition to her parents, Mrs. Donovan was preceded in death by her daughter, Candy Jean Smawley, in June.
Mrs. Donovan is survived by her son, Robert O. Clower III of Fenwick Island; a sister and brother-in-law, Jeanette and Arthur LaFashia of Dover, with whom she lived; a niece, Krista LaFashia of Dover; a nephew, Thomas D. LaFashia of Fort Lauderdale, Fla.; and a grandson, Matthew Tucker Smawley of Fenwick Island.
Yvonne Delores ‘Bon-Bon’ Garnett Wilson
Funeral services for Yvonne Delores “Bon-Bon” Garnett Wilson, 76, of Dover, will be held at 11 a.m. Dec. 19, at the Mount Zion Baptist Church of Germantown, 41 W. Rittenhouse St., Philadelphia, Pa., where friends may call two hours prior to the service. Mrs. Garnett Wilson died Friday, Dec. 14, 2007 at Capitol Healthcare in Dover.
Mrs. Garnett Wilson was born March 18, 1931, in Philadelphia, daughter of the late Herbert and Mary Garnett.
She was educated in Philadelphia and for many years was the manager of a clothing factory.
In her younger years, she was a dancer and a model. She was known throughout the city for her charity work and was actively involved with social networking groups such as the Guardsmen and the Old Philadelphians.
Since 2005, she had lived in Dover near her family.
She will be remembered for her fabulous and flamboyant fashions. She loved attending social events and making a fashion statement upon her entrance into a room. Her strength and style glowed as she faced her physical challenges and demonstrated her determination to be more than a conqueror in life. She leaves a legacy of grateful family and friends and will be cherished in their memories.
Mrs. Garnett Wilson was a member of Mount Zion Baptist Church of Germantown for more than 40 years and served as a trustee's aid.
In addition to her parents, Mrs. Garnett Wilson was preceded in death by her husband of 42 years, Judge Calvin Thomas Wilson Sr., whom she married Jan. 1, 1953.
She is survived by her son Calvin and daughter-in-law, Sharon Monet; two grandchildren, Jessica Lauren and Calvin “Chipper” III; a loving sister-in-law, Thelma; many nieces and nephews; and a host of loving and kind friends.
Interment will be in the Ivy Hill Cemetery, Easton Road, Philadelphia.
Arrangements are being handled by Bennie Smith Funeral Home, Dover.
Evelyn Ireland Jenkinson
Funeral services for Evelyn Ireland Jenkinson, 88, of Dover, will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 19, in Torbert Funeral Chapel, 61 S. Bradford St., Dover, where friends may call one hour prior. Mrs. Jenkinson died Thursday Dec. 13, 2007, in Silver Lake Nursing Home.
Mrs. Jenkinson was born Aug. 5, 1919, in Dover, daughter of the late Cecil Foulk and Helen Ireland.
She was a homemaker and enjoyed gardening and going to Spence’s Bazaar.
Mrs. Jenkinson was preceded in death by her husband, Walt P. Jenkinson; two sons, Lacy Moore and Gerald Moore; and a grandson, Duane Moore.
She is survived by a grandson, Jesse Moore of Dover; three great-grandchildren, Robyn Moore of Delmar, Md., and Justin Moore and Nicolas Moore, both of Denton, Md.; two great-great-grandchildren, Kayla Adkins and Scott Adkins of Delmar, Md.; and her special friends, Lana Frazier and Doris Dorzbach, both of Dover, and Franklin and Shirley Shakespeare of Baltimore.
Instead of flowers, the family suggests contributions be made to the Kent County SPCA, 32 Shelter Circle, Camden, DE 19934.
John E. ‘Ebby’ Lewis Sr.
Remembrance services for John E. “Ebby” Lewis Sr., 81, of Dover, were held Thursday, Dec. 13, in the Trader Funeral Home, Dover. Mr. Lewis died peacefully Monday, Dec. 10, 2007, in Silver Lake Nursing Center, Dover.
Mr. Lewis was born Aug. 17, 1926, in Newark, son of the late Conrad Lewis Sr. and Arzie Phillips Lewis.
He was a custom homebuilder in DeLand, Fla., for 35 years, also serving as president of the Home Builders Association. He was a graduate of Goldey Beacom Business School, a life Scout and a World War II U.S. Navy veteran.
Mr. Lewis was preceded in death by his wife, Shirley Jean Lewis; and a brother, Conrad Lewis.
He is survived by a son, John E. Lewis Jr.; two daughters, Sherrill LaTour and Robin Lewis-Wilde; their mother, Frances Lewis; two brothers, James P. Lewis and Albert L. Lewis; two sisters, Miriam Ayars and Nancy Buckingham; and numerous grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
Interment was in Sharon Hill Memorial Park, Dover.
Memorial contributions in Mr. Lewis’ name may be made to the Diabetes Foundation, the American Heart Association and/or the Boy Scouts of America.
Floyd J. ‘Cowboy’ Marker
Funeral services for Floyd J. "Cowboy" Marker, 59, of Camden, were held Saturday, Dec. 15, in the Pippin Funeral Home, Wyoming. Mr. Marker died Monday, Dec. 10, 2007, in Bayhealth-Kent General Hospital, Dover.
Mr. Marker was born Oct. 17, 1948, in Dover, son of the late Henry and Tressa Hudson Marker.
He lived his entire life in the Camden-Wyoming area before his illness required him to seek special care.
Mr. Marker enjoyed collecting country-western music and was affectionately known as “Cowboy.”
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, Robert Marker, on Nov. 1, 2007.
Mr. Marker is survived by three sisters, Mary Reed of Dover, Betty Slaughter of Frederica and Linda Fuller of Dover; several nieces and nephews; and his extended family of friends and caregivers at the Delaware Hospital for the Chronically Ill.
Funeral services for Carl Harry Orth Sr., 90, of Kenton, will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 20, in Old Swedes Episcopal Church, Wilmington. Mr. Orth died Thursday, Dec. 6, at Bayhealth-Kent General Hospital.
Mr. Orth was born in Wilmington, son of the late Peter and Emma Hoveter Orth.
He was raised in Wilmington, and graduated from P.S. DuPont High School, where he excelled in the classroom and in athletic competition. He played all sports, but was especially gifted in basketball and baseball, which he continued to play and coach over the next five decades.
He served proudly in the Army Air Signal Corps during World War II and received his honorable discharge at the end of the conflict. He returned to Wilmington to a 38-year career at the DuPont Co., where he met his future wife. Carl and Laura married in 1949 and in 1952 moved to a small farm near Kenton and started their family.
Mr. Orth continued full-time at DuPont while he and Laura worked the farm, ably balancing work and family for the next 50 years. He loved living on the farm and quickly became an active and integral part of the Democratic Party, the local school board and various youth athletic programs in the area.
He was an enthusiastic coach, an avid reader, an excellent pinochle player and maintained a keen interest in local and national politics throughout his life.
Mr. Orth enjoyed the companionship of the many animals he cared for, especially his dogs. He had a quiet sense of humor and a strong commitment to his community.
Above all, he cherished being surrounded by his family. He coached his three sons and their many friends in various sports, attended their athletic contests whenever and wherever they occurred and offered enthusiastic support for all their endeavors.
Mr. Orth took loving care of his family throughout his life and was a constant source of strength and support. He leaves behind a legacy of quiet strength and dignity, kindness and loving dedication to his family and friends.
He is survived by his wife, Rowan Manlove Orth and six sons, Carl H. Orth Jr., Edgar M. Orth and Peter H. Orth, and Harry, Ned and Peter; two daughters-in-law, Claire Pulisc Birney and Janine Prucino Orth; four grandchildren, Annie Rose Birney, Laura Emily Orth, Joseph Edgar Orth and Stephen Carl Orth; a brother and sister-in-law, John and Thelma Orth; a sister-in-law, Blanche Voshell and her husband Frank; as well as many nieces, nephews, family and friends throughout the area.
Arrangements are by Michael J. Ambruso Funeral Director, Inc., Dover.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Mr. Orth’s name may be made to Bayhealth-Kent General Hospital, 640 State St., Dover, DE 19901.
After the services the family will host a reception celebrating his life at The University & Whist Club in Wilmington.
Frances Delores ‘Lorsie’ Daniels Short
Funeral services for Frances Delores “Lorsie” Daniels Short, 60, of Smyrna, were held Saturday, Dec. 8, in Dover. Ms. Short died Monday, Dec. 3, 2007, in Bayhealth-Kent General Hospital, Dover.
Ms. Short was born Nov. 13, 1947, in Dover, daughter of the late Alfred and Helen Price Daniels.
She was a graduate of William Henry High School, class of 1965, and had worked for General Metal Craft and Scott Paper before illness caused her retirement.
Ms. Short was a sports enthusiast and enjoyed all sports. Her favorite pastime was watching cowboy shows, especially John Wayne.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a sister, Lydia Daniels; an uncle, Isaac Daniels; and a brother-in-law, Charles Demby, who helped raise her when she lived in her sister’s home during her school years.
Ms. Short is survived by a daughter, Margaret LaSalle-Tate and her husband Raymond of Dover; and two sons, Henry Short Jr. and his wife Shirlonda of Lancaster, Calif., and Todd G. Short of Pemberton, N.J.
She also is survived by two brothers, Alfred Daniels Jr. of Oakland, N.J., and Isaac Daniels and his wife Ivy of Pleasantville, N.J.; five sisters, Grace D. Hansly, Blanch Brown and Margaret D. Demby, all of Dover, and Carrine E. Simms of Pemberton and Barbara A. Daniels of Dover; her grandchildren, Andrew and his wife, Essence, Andron and Marquis, all of Dover, Jarvis of Guam, and Henry Short III and Kendrick Short, both of Lancaster; a step-great-grandson, Cazmere of Dover; and a nephew, James “Sonny” Daniels, who was raised as a brother.
Arrangements were by Pippin Funeral Home, Wyoming.
Memorial contributions in Ms. Short’s name may be made to Delaware Hospice, 911 S. DuPont Highway, Dover, DE 19901.
Audreymae Dewey Starzynski
Funeral services for Audreymae Dewey Starzynski, 79, of Dover, were held Friday, Dec. 14, in Torbert Funeral Chapel South, Dover. Mrs. Starzynski died Monday, Dec. 10, 2007, at home surrounded by her family.
Mrs. Starzynski was born Sept. 16, 1928, in Toledo, Ohio, daughter of the late Gordon Brummett and Lucile Ridgely Hedrick Brummett.
She married Bernard Edwin Dewey April 22, 1948. Following his death, she married Joseph J. Starzynski of Dover June 22, 1985.
Mrs. Starzynski organized the first Senior Shopping Service in Caroline County, volunteered at Caroline County Nursing Home, and later worked as a paid employee in the nursing home.
She also started the first Senior Center in Greensboro, Md. She was a member of the St. Paul’s Methodist Church in Greensboro and served as a leader for the Youth Group and other capacities in the church.
Mrs. Starzynski was president of Greensboro Elementary PTA, of the Caroline County PTA Council and served as a state PTA officer.
She worked with youth from Ferris School for Boys and volunteered at Kent General Hospital. She was a member of the Clowns of Delaware, Dover Air Force Base Spouses Club serving as president twice, first vice president, sunshine chairman and was given a life membership by the group.
Mrs. Starzynski was also a member of the American Legion, Walter L. Fox Post No. 2 in Dover.
When she worked at K-Mart in Dover, she made cupcakes each month for employees’ birthdays and always was trying to keep up moral. She received a Clara Barton Award for her service with elderly.
She loved doing crafts and made many things for her family and friends.
Mrs. Starzynski always was thinking of others and never about herself, providing wisdom and caring for all no matter the outcome.
In addition to her husband, she is survived by her children, Bruce Allen Dewey of Milford, Rickie Elwin Dewey, Kathleen Irene Dewey Burris and Owen Lee Dewey, all of Dover; and two stepdaughters, Barbara Starzynski Swift Squire Roe and Joanne Starzynski Crawford, all of Dover
Mrs. Starzynski also is survived by 10 grandchildren, Lori Dewey of Felton, Sherry Bloomfield of Elkton, Mich., Donald Burris of Fort Drum, N.Y., Jennifer Dewey, Ashley Burris and Deanne Dewey, all of Dover, Dwayne Dewey of Maine, Jessica Lowe and JD Squire, both of Dover, and Melissa Crawford of Indiana; and 11 great-grandchildren.
