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 Charles William Benson, 64, of Dover, will be held at noon Saturday, April 29, at the Community Baptist Church, Barclay, Md., where friends may call beginning two hours earlier. Mr. Benson died following a long illness Saturday, April 22, 2006, at Bayhealth/Kent General Hospital, Dover,
Mr. Benson was born Jan. 14, 1942, in Magnolia, youngest child of the late Charles Edward and Sara B. Benson.
He received his early education in the Union School in Frederica, and graduated from William Henry High School in Dover in 1959. He also attended Bowie State College in Bowie, Md. He joined the U.S. Army in 1965 and served in Germany before his honorable discharge in 1967.
He and the former Gwendolyn Gardley were married on June 12, 1965. Mr. Benson worked at Kraft/General Foods as an electrician and tower operator, retiring in 2002 after 38 years of service.
Mr. Benson joined Community Baptist Church, Barclay, Md., in 1995 and was ordained a deacon on May 9, 1998. He served as trustee, chairman of the Deacon Board, a member of the Brotherhood and Male Choir and as a Sunday school superintendent. He was a faithful and dependable member of the church and attended nearly every service until his health failed.
He loved to bowl and was an avid fan of the New York Yankees and the Washington Redskins. A kind and compassionate man, loved by everyone, he offered encouragement and godly advice to anyone in need.
In addition to his parents, Mr. Benson was preceded in death by a brother, Clarence Edward Benson; and a sister, Thelma Blakey.
In addition to his wife, Mr. Benson is survived by a daughter, Dana Anique Benson; a son and daughter-in-law Charles William II and DiDonja Benson of Dover, a sister and her husband, Shirley M. and James Wilson of Washington, D.C.
He also is survived by two grandsons, Brandon and Tyrik; an aunt, Carrie Abrams; a godson, the Rev. Daniel Ward; a godsister, Debra Townes; his in-laws, Evelyn and Edward Fountain Sr., Raymond Gardley, Faye Gardley and Margaret Gardley; his special friends, the Rev. William and Ursula Ward and William and Mary Ellen Flamer; his Community Baptist Church family; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Funeral services for Alice Mae Jenkins, 61, of Magnolia, were held Monday, April 24, in the chapel of Berry-Short Funeral Home, Milford. Mrs. Jenkins died Friday April 21, 2006 in her home.
Mrs. Jenkins was born in Seaford, daughter of the late Howard and Emily Passwaters O Neal.
She worked as a nurse s assistant for Courtland Manor and also operated a day care for several years.
Mrs. Jenkins enjoyed collecting pitcher and bowl sets, NASCAR, go-karts and family outings. She always had a camera in her hand. She lived for her husband, children and grandchildren and was the best wife, mother and grandmother anyone could ask for.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a sister, Mildred Tribbitt.
Mrs. Jenkins is survived by her husband, David C. Jenkins; two sons and their husbands, Howard and Elaine O Neal of Lincoln, and David and Paula Jenkins of Wyoming; two daughters and a son-in-law, Carol Thompson of Dover, and Gail and Walt Wolfel of Vermont; two brothers, Howard O Neal of Virginia and Larry O Neal of Milford; two sisters, Juanita Roberts of Lincoln and Theresa Morris of Milford; seven grandchildren; one great-granddaughter; and 28 nieces and nephews.
Otis Antonio Johnson, 42, of LaVergne, Tenn., formerly of Dover, died after a courageous battle with cancer Wednesday, April 12, 2006.
Mr. Johnson was born May 6, 1963, in Painter, Va., the son of Ina Johnson of Dover and the late Arthur Johnson.
He grew up in Dover and graduated from Caesar Rodney High School in 1982.
Mr. Johnson joined the Army shortly after graduation and traveled abroad. He eventually ended up in Tennessee, where his intelligent, warm and caring personality led him to pursue a career in nursing. He completed nursing school with excellent marks, and became a licensed practical nurse.
Mr. Johnson had a laugh and joke for everyone he met and possessed a rare ability to relate to anyone easily, regardless of age. Youngsters flocked to him whenever he was around and eagerly picked up on his jokes and funny sayings.
He was extremely family oriented and believed in giving children values and morals. He believed in teaching children to think for themselves and always do their best. He taught the children around him many important life lessons, often through funny one-liners and jokes so they could easily remember the lesson.
Mr. Johnson was especially proud of the academic and athletic accomplishments of his children.
In addition to his mother, Mr. Johnson is survived by his wife, Sonja Rochell Giles Johnson of LaVergne; two daughters, LaSheka Hicks of Dover and Danielle Giles of LaVergne; two sons, DeAndra Giles and Todd Britt, both of LaVergne; and his mother-in-law and father-in-law, Monnie Ray and John William Giles of Tennessee.
Mr. Johnson also is survived by four brothers-in-law and two sisters-in-law, Fred and Angie Warren, Antonio Giles, John A. and Rochelle Giles and Michael Ray Giles, all of Tennessee; two brothers and their wives, Gerry and Claudette Johnson of Robbinsville, N.J., and Marty and Winna Johnson of Dover; four sisters and three brothers-in-law, Regina and Ivan Reed and Nina and Gary Nelson, all of Dover, Donna Johnson of Plainfield, N.J., and Natalie and Herbert Cooper of Easton, Md.; and two maternal aunts, Mabel Rogers of Exmore, Va., and Erma Baines of Dover.
Finally, Mr. Johnson leaves behind a maternal uncle, Richard Parker of Queens, N.Y.; two paternal uncles and their wives, Milton Lee and Barbara Johnson of Exmore, and Burleigh and Alberta Johnson of Magnolia; two paternal aunts, Gladys Bailey and her husband, Lynwood, and Inez Johnson and Rhina Johnson, all of Dover, and Agnes Johnson of Exmore; many friends, cousins, nieces and nephews; and two special great-nieces, Shalara D. Cottman, and Kamya S. Gibbs, who brought him many laughs and whom he loved dearly.
Funeral arrangements were by the Bennie Smith Funeral Home, Dover.
Alan James Littlefield
Memorial services for Alan James Littlefield, 41, of Camden, were held Saturday, April 22, in Torbert Funeral Chapel South, Dover. Mr. Littlefield died Tuesday, April 18, 2006, in Christiana Care-Christiana Hospital, Newark.
Mr. Littlefield was born July 13, 1964, in Dover, son of Coletta Marianne McIntosh Littlefield of Wyoming and the late Carl Grant Littlefield.
He had worked for the past 10 years at Tire King as an auto technician. Prior to that, he worked for seven years at Neaton s Tire as an auto technician and before that, he worked for Martel.
Mr. Littlefield loved his home away from home in upper New York state. He enjoyed riding snowmobiles, four-wheeling, and hunting, but most of all he enjoyed being with his family and friends.
In addition to his mother, Mr. Littlefield is survived by his wife of 19 years, Teresa Marie Elliott Littlefield; and two daughters, Cara Littlefield of Frederica and Taylor Littlefield of Camden.
He also is survived by two brothers and a sister-in-law, Thomas Littlefield of Lansdale, Pa., and Jon and Roberta Littlefield of Wyoming; a very special aunt, Marjorie McIntosh of Watertown, N.Y.; two cousins, Benjamin McIntosh and Eric McIntosh, both of Watertown; a sister-in-law, Vickie Dixon and her husband, Dale; three nieces, Kate Littlefield, Sara Littlefield and Leah Dixon; and a nephew, Andrew Dixon.
Linda Nancy Magers
Funeral services for Linda Nancy Magers, 58, of Dover, were held Friday, April 21, in Trader Funeral Home, Dover. Mrs. Magers died Monday, April 17, 2006, in her daughter s home in Lakeland, Tenn.
Mrs. Magers was born June 24, 1947, in Kalamazoo, Mich., daughter of Stanley and Donna Budrow Lemieux, now of Dover.
She had worked for the state of Delaware for more than 25 years. She also had designed dance costumes for more than 30 years, most recently for the Diamond Dance Company. She enjoyed horseback riding.
Mrs. Magers was a member of the Covenant Community Church, Salem, Va.
In addition to her parents, Mrs. Magers is survived by a daughter and son-in-law, Linda Marie and Patrick May of Lakeland; a brother, Dan Lemieux of Delaware; a sister, Jackie Kegeler of Roanoke, Va.; a granddaughter, Jourdan Marie May; and a grandson Thomas Joseph May.
Interment was in Sharon Hills Memorial Park, Dover.
Memorial contributions in Mrs. Magers name may be made to the Cancer Coalition of Delaware, 100 W. 10th St., Suite 115, Wilmington, DE 19801.
Henry K. Muller
Funeral services for Henry K. Muller, 71, of Felton, were held Monday, April 24, in Holy Spirit Church, Union, N.J. Mr. Muller died Tuesday, April 18, 2006, in Bayhealth-Kent General Hospital, Dover.
He was a manager at the Pemberton Water Co., Pemberton, N.J., for many years before retiring. Mr. Muller had lived in Pemberton and in Hazlet, N.J., before moving to Felton almost 10 years ago.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Margaret Oliveto Muller.
Mr. Muller is survived by a sister and a brother-in-law, Rosalie and Jerry Fiamingo; three additional brothers-in-law, Michael J. Oliveto, Frank J. Oliveto and Patrick R. Oliveto; a nephew, Michael Oliveto III; and two nieces, Michelle Mencl and Tina Oliveto.
Memorial contributions in Mr. Muller s name may be made to the American Cancer Society, Union County Unit, P.O. Box 815, Elizabeth, N.J. 07207.
Verna Greatorex Patterson
Memorial services for Verna Greatorex Patterson, 91, of Dover, will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, April 27, in Red Clay Creek Presbyterian Church, near Hockessin. Mrs. Patterson died Tuesday, April 18, 2006, in Bayhealth-Kent General Hospital, Dover.
She was a talented and lifelong artist who began painting murals in Buffalo churches and businesses while still in high school, later painting murals in public buildings under the Works Progress Administration.
After she came to Delaware with her husband, she continued her art, studying with renowned painter Edward Loper and working in watercolors, oil, charcoal, miniature paintings and even stained glass. Her creative works and restorations were seen in exhibits at Hagley Museum, where she volunteered for 20 years and her pieces still can be found in private collections.
Over the years, Mrs. Patterson served as a den mother with Cub Scout Pack 88 and in the Parent Teacher Associations of Krebs Elementary School and Conrad High School. She was an active member of Red Clay Creek Presbyterian Church, one of the original residents of Coffee Run Condominiums in Hockessin and was a civilian air raid spotter during the 1950s, scanning the skies over Wilmington for approaching aircraft.
Mrs. Patterson was preceded in death by her husband of 67 years, Curtis B. Patterson, in 2001.
She is survived by two sons and their wives, Dr. Wayne C. and Jane Patterson of Parker, Colo., and Gary B. and Betsy Patterson of Dover; and three sisters and a brother-in-law, Irene Wood of North Haldon, N.J., Dorothea Schanne of Hixson, Tenn., and Jeanette and Ray Moran of West Seneca, N.Y.
Mrs. Patterson also is survived by three grandchildren, Gregory B. Patterson and his wife Sarah of Dover, Christopher D. Patterson and his wife Kerri of Dover; and E. Seton L. Patterson of Arlington, Va.; six great-grandchildren, Katharyn Patterson, Emma Patterson, Reilly Patterson, Wyatt Patterson, Beckett Patterson and Laurel Patterson; a niece Patricia Schanne; and a nephew Alan Scherer.
Local arrangements are by Torbert Funeral Chapels, Dover.
Instead of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions be made to the Serenity Garden Fund at Westminster Village Assisted Living, 1167 McKee Road, Dover, DE 19904.
First Sgt. Walter I. Pierce, U.S. Army (Ret.)
Funeral services for Walter I. Pierce, 59, of Dover, were held Saturday, April 22, in the Trinity A.M.E. Church, Gouldtown, N.J. Mr. Pierce died suddenly Friday, April 14, 2006, in Bayhealth-Kent General Hospital, Dover.
Mr. Pierce was born in Bridgeton, N.J., son of the late Melvin X. and Doris Goldsboro Pierce.
He moved to Dover two years ago from Newport News, Va.
Mr. Pierce was a retired U.S. Army first sergeant with 22 years of service. After retiring from the Army, he worked for the federal government for 10 years.
He was a member of the Walter L. Fox American Legion Post No. 2, Dover; the Denbeigh Military Retirees Club of Denbeigh, Va., and the Lenni-Lenape Indians.
Mr. Pierce was a self-taught computer whiz as well as an avid fisherman.
He is survived by his wife of 37 years, Penelope A. Miller Pierce of Dover; and three sisters and their husbands, Shirley and Edwin Harris of Williamstown, N.J., Helen and Herbert Street of Bridgeton and Nellie and Carlton Durham of Vineland, N.J.
Mr. Pierce also is survived by his father-in-law, Alexander H. Miller Jr. of Hopewell, N.J.; two brothers-in-law, Alexander B. Mill Sr. and his wife Cherylene of Bridgeton and Sherman Miller and his wife, Ann Marie of Shiloh, N.J.; two sisters-in-law, Sharon Davis of Millville, N.J. and Vicki Ross and her husband James of Vineland, N.J.; a godson; several nieces, nephews, and a host of aunts, uncles, cousins and other relatives and friends.
Interment was in Gouldtown Memorial Park, Fairfield Twp, N.J.
Arrangements were by Stanley s Memorial Chapel, 822 Kaighn Ave., Camden, N.J.
