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.
Graveside services for Josephine Holden Kenton, 89, of Woodside, formerly of Templeville, Md., were held Monday, Oct. 8, in Templeville Cemetery. Mrs. Kenton died Friday, Oct. 5, 2007, in Westminster Village, Dover.
Mrs. Kenton was born Nov. 26, 1917, in Barclay, Md., daughter of the late Lewis and Bessie Comegys Holden.
She attended Barclay School as a child.
Mrs. Kenton was a homemaker.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Leonard E. Kenton Sr., in 1987; a daughter, Dorothy Louise Thompson, in 2005; two brothers; and three sisters.
She is survived by a son, Leonard E. Kenton Jr. of Woodside; a daughter, Nancy Lee Kenton of Chestertown, Md.; six grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; a step-great-grandchild; and a great-great-grandchild.
Carol J. Miller
Funeral services for Carol J. Miller, 60, of Dover, will be held at noon Wednesday, Oct. 10, in Torbert Funeral Chapel, 61 S. Bradford St., Dover, where friends may call one hour prior. Mrs. Miller died Friday, Oct. 5, 2007, in Bayhealth-Kent General Hospital, Dover.
Mrs. Miller was born April 9, 1947, in Pipestone, Minn., daughter of the late Joseph Bruns and Nellie Dolbow Bruns.
She was a homemaker and enjoyed going to Spence’s Bazaar and weekend yard sales. She loved to cook, crochet, sing at the churches and be with her cats and kittens, but she especially loved being with her family and friends.
Mrs. Miller also loved taking trips to The Three Little Bakers and going to Virginia.
She was a member of Capitol Baptist Church and Victory Chapel. She will be missed by many because of her kindness and caring for all.
Mrs. Miller is survived by her husband of 15 years, Charles Clifton Miller of Dover; three sons and two daughters-in-law, Dennis Lee and Corri Maloney of Dover, John Christian Maloney of Gaylord, Mich., and Phillip James and Regina Maloney of Milford; and two daughters, April Lynn Stegall and Amy Grace Maloney, both of Harrington.
She also is survived by three brothers and a sister-in-law, Thomas Bruns and Daniel Bruns, both of New Mexico, and Albert Jr. and Phyllis Dolbow of Dover; three sisters, Patty Reh and her husband, John, of Dover, Mary Joan Trice of Harrington, and Betty Munguia and her husband, Chevy, of Texas; and grandchildren Wayne Stegall, Jason Stegall, Michael Maloney, Caitlyn Maloney and Katherine Maloney.
Graveside services for Joyce Vera Papenhausen, 70, of Camden, will be held at 1 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 10, in Pinelawn Cemetery, Farmingdale, N.Y. Mrs. Papenhausen died Saturday, Oct. 6, 2007, in Bayhealth-Kent General Hospital, Dover, after a long and courageous battle with pancreatic cancer.
Mrs. Papenhausen was born March 16, 1937, in Brooklyn, N.Y., daughter of the late August and Hilda Miller Zamminer.
The Queens, N.Y., resident was a member of the First United Presbyterian Church of Queens Village.
She provided love and care to her patients through home health care.
Mrs. Papenhausen will be remembered as a loving mother, a wonderful sister and a great friend.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Charles Thomas Papenhausen.
Mrs. Papenhausen is survived by a daughter and son-in-law, Joyce-Ann and John Squires of Statesboro, Ga.; a son and daughter-in-law, Charles and Frances Papenhausen of Camden; a brother, William Zamminer of Camden; a sister and brother-in-law, Elizabeth and Martin Blaes of Statesboro; four grandchildren; one great-grandson; and several other family members and many dear friends.
Instead of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions to American Cancer Society, 92 Reads Way, Suite 205, New Castle, DE 19720-1633.
Sgt. 1st Class Eulle Harold ‘June’ Phillips Jr., U.S. Army (Ret.)
Funeral services for Eulle Harold “June” Phillips Jr., 64, of Dover, were held Saturday, Oct. 6, in the Bennie Smith Funeral Home, Dover. Mr. Phillips died Wednesday, Oct. 3, 2007, in Dover.
Mr. Phillips was born Aug. 25, 1942, in Chester, Pa., the son of Eulle Harold Sr. and Bertha Mae Phillips.
He was raised and educated in Pennsylvania.
Mr. Phillips married Barbara Holmes at a small private ceremony at Mr. and Mrs. John P. Holmes’ residence in Williamstown, N.J.; the couple enjoyed 44 years together.
In 1963, Mr. Phillips joined the U.S. Army where he served his country over two separate tours during the Vietnam conflict. He received several awards and decorations, to include the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Campaign Medal and the Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm. He retired as a sergeant first class in 1984 from Fort Bliss in El Paso, Texas, where he trained and instructed on the Patriot missile system.
After retirement, he became one of the few African-American business owners in El Paso with the opening of four successful movie video stores named Video City.
After six years he decided to pursue one of his first loves – traveling. He earned his commercial drivers license and as an independent truck driver, drove in all 48 states in the continental U.S. In 2000, he finally retired from the trucking industry and moved to Dover with his wife so they would be closer to family.
Those who had the pleasure of knowing him would say he was a man of presence, dignity, values and dreams, and had a giving heart.
In addition to his parents and his wife, Mr. Phillips is survived by two sons, John Timothy Phillips and Jey P. Phillips; two daughters-in-law, Kathleen and Christa; three grandchildren, Shawn Michael, Jalin Eulle and Leah Amari; his great-aunts, Lucille Brown and Thressa Griffin; and a host of other family members and friends.
Interment will be in the Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Va., at 9 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 24.
Arrangements are being handled by Bennie Smith Funeral Home, Dover.
John E. ‘Jackie’ Pleasanton Jr.
Funeral services for John E. “Jackie” Pleasanton Jr., 62, of Leipsic, were held Saturday, Oct. 6, in the Torbert Funeral Chapel South, Dover. Mr. Pleasanton died Monday, Oct. 1, 2007, at home.
Mr. Pleasanton was born in Dover, son of the late John Sr. and Ruth Donovan Pleasanton.
He spent his life as a waterman on the Delaware Bay, crabbing, fishing and oystering. In his later years, he worked as a cook at Dolphins Seafood and then retired due to health issues.
Mr. Pleasanton loved to go out fishing on the bay with his buddy, Stan Oldham. They had a lot of fun times on the water and caught tons of fish. They also loved their Rummy 500 nights. He also was an avid hunter and could not wait for deer season every year.
He was a great cook and loved to steam crabs and have a feast in his “crab shack” on the water all summer long.
In addition to his parents, Mr. Pleasanton was preceded in death by his loving and devoted sister, Betty Jean “BJ” Caniford.
He is survived by his wife, the love of his life and the love of her life, Bertha Mae Whedbee-Pleasanton; his loving dog, Jacko; two brothers and a sister-in-law, Alan and San Pleasanton of Leipsic and Wayne Pleasanton of Dover; and a sister and brother-in-law, Debbie and Jimmy Keller of Dover.
Mr. Pleasanton also is survived by four nieces, Cheryl Carney and her husband, Orville of Magnolia, Brenda Zipay and her husband, Larry of Mooresville, N.C., Nan Fox and her husband, Jim of Leipsic and Mandy Pleasanton and her fiancé, Shawn Ridgeway of Leipsic; and three stepdaughters, Patty Gallagher and her husband, Neal of Harrington, Debbie Oldham and her husband, Stan of Smyrna and Joyce Griffin and her husband, Ron of Cheswold
In addition, he is survived by a granddaughter, Lauren Oldham of Smyrna; four grandsons, Ryan Griffin and Ron Griffin Jr., both of Cheswold, and Freddie Chase and Chris Chase, both of Harrington; a brother-in-law, Bobby Whedbee and his wife, Dawn and their son, RJ of Dover; a loving father-in-law, Jimmy Whedbee of Leipsic; two sons and a daughter-in-law, John E. III and Susan Pleasanton of Houston and Brandon Pleasanton; four daughters, Crystal Pleasanton and her fiancé, Steve Nemith of Camden, Jackie Pleasanton and her fiancé, Jimmy Cruson III of Smyrna, and Nicole Pleasanton and Ashley Pleasanton, both of Cambridge, Md.; two granddaughters, Brooke Husfelt of Smyrna and Makayla Johnson of Cambridge; and four grandsons, Chris and Matt Kempski and Nicholas Pleasanton, all of Houston, and Jimmy Cruson IV of Smyrna.
Enoch Harold Watson
Funeral services for Enoch Harold Watson, 81, of Dover, were held Thursday, Oct. 4, in the Emmanuel A.M.E. Church, Hartly. Mr. Watson died Thursday, Sept. 27, 2007, in Bayhealth-Kent General Hospital, Dover.
Mr. Watson was born Feb. 15, 1926, son of the late Isaac Ludy and Joanna Wilson Watson.
Mr. Watson received his early education at Lockwood and Booker T. Washington schools. He attended high school at Delaware State where he was a member of the all-star basketball team. He completed his higher education at Lane College in Jackson, Tenn. During his college years he played on the tennis team and was very proud of having won a doubles championship tournament. Additionally he pledged and became a member of Kappa Alpha Phi Fraternity.
After college, Mr. Watson joined the U.S. Army, and upon his discharge received the World War II Victory Medal. He later was employed with the state of Delaware for 20 years as a civil engineer.
He was a proud lifetime member of the Pride of Dover Lodge where he and his brothers developed and maintained lasting friendships with other lodge members. He always was willing to lend a helping hand; his favorite charity was making donations to local churches.
On Tuesdays and Fridays, Mr. Watson could be found at his favorite place, Spence’s Bazaar and Auction, where folks knew him as “Pop,” and where he gained many other affectionate nicknames.
He was an outstanding man, and a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother and uncle. He was jovial, a people person and an avid debater; multitasking was one of his many attributes. When at home, he enjoyed watching two televisions and listening to two radios at the same time, and could tell exactly what was going on with all four of them.
Mr. Watson loved life and lived it like a champion. When he departed this life he embraced his next life with victory after giving his former life to Christ. He loved greatly, was greatly loved and will be greatly missed.
In addition to his parents, Mr. Watson was preceded in death by his wife, Julia Louise Watson; and three brothers, Raymond Watson, Carl Watson and Abbie Watson.
He is survived by his sister, Regina Richards of Camden; two daughters and a son-in-law, Mauryta B. Montague of Hampton, Va., and Bron B. and Samuel Wise of Stafford, Va.; two stepdaughters, Arlene L. Coleman and her devoted friend Terry of Dover, and Constance M. Paino of Augusta, Ga.; and four special children, David D. and Harriet A. Durant of Dover and Miriam Jones and Paula McQueen of Hampton Va.
Mr. Watson also is survived by five brothers-in-law and their wives, Andrew and Bessie Sullivan of Havre de Grace, Md., Preston and Naomi Bessix of Dover, Phillip Jr. and Evelyn Dixon of Dover, the Rev. Walter and Consdeuella Dixon of Smyrna, and Harry and Deborah Dixon of Dover.
He also is survived by three sisters-in-law and the husbands of two, Jeanette Watson of Dover, Charlotte M. and the Rev. Joseph Tull of Harrington and Bertha and Thomas Greene of Willingboro N.J.; 10 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; a god-daughter, Tonya Dixon of Dover; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Interment was in Sharon Hills Memorial Park, west of Dover.
Arrangements were by the Bennie Smith Funeral Home, Dover.
Memorial donations may be made to the E. Harold Watson Foundation, 60 Cookson Dr., Stafford, VA 22556.
Linda Young Welsh
Memorial services for Linda Young Welsh, 64, of Dover, were held Monday, Oct. 8, in Torbert Funeral Chapel, Dover. Mrs. Welsh died following a long and courageous struggle with cancer Wednesday, Oct. 3, 2007, at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania.
Mrs. Welsh was born in Norristown, Pa., to Mr. and Mrs. Walter M. Young, on Sept. 7, 1943.
She was a graduate of Norristown High School, where she was a member of the swim team and captain of the cheerleading squad.
Mrs. Welsh was a member of the National Honor Society, served as class president and was the valedictorian of her graduating class.
She attended Gettysburg College, where she graduated magna cum laude. She was also selected as a member of Phi Beta Kappa Society and earned honors as a member of the Delta Phi Alpha German honorary society. Mrs. Welsh was a member of Eta Sigma Phi honorary society for classical language and served as president of Alpha XI Delta sorority.
She earned her master’s degree in education from Delaware State University.
Mrs. Welsh devoted her life to education. She taught school for several years and worked at the Delaware Department of Education as an education associate. She retired in 2003 after serving more than 30 years in education.
She was a member of St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church, and her loves included traveling, reading and spending time with her granddaughter, Kate.
Mrs. Welsh is survived by her husband of 35 years, Robert D. Welsh; her son and daughter-in-law, Stephen M. and Susan Torrance Welsh and a granddaughter, Katherine T. “Kate” Welsh, all of Macon, Ga.; her sister, Susan Clayman of Phoenixville, Pa.; her brother, W. Michael Young Jr. of Audubon, Pa; and eight nieces and five nephews.
Memorial contributions in Mrs. Welsh’s name may be made to St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church, 425 N. DuPont Highway, Dover, DE 19901.
Herbert Avery
Herbert Avery, 81, of Dover, died Friday, Aug. 3, 2007, at Bayhealth-Kent General Hospital, Dover.
Mr. Avery was born Feb. 25, 1926, in Buffalo, N.Y., son of the late Herbert Avery and Mildred Fairburn Avery.
He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II and received the American Theater Campaign Medal and the World War II Victory Medal.
Mr. Avery owned and operated his own electronic supply wholesale store, Standard Electronic of Delaware. He also worked as a sales clerk for several other small businesses in the Dover area.
He was formerly a member of the Optimist Club and the Dover Elks Club and was a fan of the Philadelphia Flyers.
In addition to his parents, Mr. Avery was preceded in death by a brother, George Avery; and a sister, Ellen Wickenden.
He is survived by three sons, Bruce Edward Avery of Dover, Mark Dirikson Avery of Shelter Island, N.Y., and Thomas Edward Avery of Dover; his daughter, Sue Ellen Kepley of Viola; two sisters, Margaret Merlino of Buffalo, N.Y.,m and Doris Boone of California; eight grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and a host of nieces and nephews.
