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.
Remembrance services for Hiram D. Godwin Jr., 75, of Lincoln, were held Monday, Dec. 26, in the Trader Funeral Home, Dover. Mr. Godwin died Tuesday Dec. 20, 2005, at Bayhealth-Milford Memorial Hospital, Milford.
Mr. Godwin was born July 25, 1930, in Dover, son of the late Hiram D. Sr. and Marie Dill Godwin.
He was a former member of New Jersey and Delaware Elks Lodges and was manager of Acme stores in Delaware and Safeway food stores in Missouri. He also owned Sweetens Store, a grocery market, and the Lynn Haven Rest Home in Pedricktown, N.J.
He was a life member with 54 years of service with the Robbins Hose Co. of Dover and Middletown’s Volunteer Hose Co., where he was a past fire chief.
In addition, Mr. Godwin also had worked for the Delaware Solid Waste Authority.
Mr. Godwin had been an avid baseball player at school and played with Mar-Del Old Timers Association. He also enjoyed playing with his grandchildren.
He owned land in Kitts Hummock from 1968 until 2004, and was deeply involved in the area, earning the nickname, “Mayor of Kitts Hummock.”
Mr. Godwin was preceded in death by a brother, John Milborn “Millie” Godwin, the first Delaware soldier to die in the Korean War.
He is survived by Nancy Godwin, his wife of 50 years; a son, Bruce Godwin of Camden, N.J.; and three daughters and two sons-in-law Jody and Bill Rinnier of Pennsville, N.J, June Godwin of Magnolia, and Carol and David Heesh of Milford.
Mr. Godwin also is survived by three sisters, Ann Shorts of North Carolina, Betty Warren of Camden, and Phyllis Richmond of Florida; five grandsons, Jeremy Crawford and his fiancée, Suzanne Luers, Jacob Tighe, Justin Kaczalek, Jesse Todd and Zachary Heesh; and a granddaughter, Jayna Crawford.
Memorial contributions in Mr. Godwin’s name may be made to Robbins Hose Company, 103 S. Governors Ave., Dover, DE 19904, or in honor of Jacob Tighe to Ronald McDonald House, 1901 Rockland Road, Wilmington, DE 19803.
Francis P. Graham
Remembrance services for Francis P. Graham, 88, of Dover, formerly of Newport-Woodcrest, Newark and Milford, were held Tuesday, Dec. 27, in Trader Funeral Home, Dover. Mr. Graham died Friday, Dec. 23, 2005, in Silver Lake Center, Dover.
Mr. Graham was born June 9, 1917, in Harrington, son of the late Norris and Mary Porter Graham.
He graduated from Harrington High School in 1934, completing his formal education at Goldey Business College in Wilmington in 1936.
From 1936 to 1940, Mr. Graham worked in his father’s business in Harrington and in temporary positions with the U.S. Post Office and the State Corporation Tax Office in Dover.
In 1941, he worked as a collection officer in the Internal Revenue Office in Wilmington.
Following the end of his World War II military service in 1946, he returned to Wilmington, where he was later advanced to supervision and, in 1950, was appointed to the position of assistant collector for the District of Delaware. In 1952, while serving in this position, he was selected by the Commissioner of Internal Revenue to serve on a regional task force charged with implementing nationwide reorganization of the Internal Revenue Service for the Philadelphia Region. In October of that year, having been certified at the top of the promoted, he was transferred to the position of director of the larger Northeastern Pennsylvania District with the offices located in Scranton, Pa.
In 1957, upon returning to his native Delaware, Mr. Graham joined the administrative staff of the then-Delaware Hospital in Wilmington, where, in 1960, he became the personnel director of that institution, now known as the Christiana Care Health System. After a disappointing early retirement from this position, in 1973, he returned to his profession in 1975, becoming the personnel director of the Milford Memorial Hospital, the position from which he retired due to declining health in 1984. During the early years of his Internal Revenue employment, he was active in the formation and support of the National Association of Internal Revenue Employees, serving numerous times as president of the Delaware Chapter. Throughout his entire professional career, he was a member and officer of several state and regional professional organizations devoted to the improvement of personnel management and employee relations.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Frances Robertson Graham, in 1992.
Mr. Graham is survived by two sons, Richard T. Graham of Blacksburg, Va., and Norris Lee Graham of Newark; three grandchildren, Richard, Jocylyn and Jeffrey; and five great-grandchildren, Trevan, Trent, Travis, Shyanne and Nathan.
Memorial contributions in Mr. Graham’s name may be made to a local Alzheimer’s organization.
Jonathan Michael Hibbert
Funeral services for Jonathan Michael Hibbert, 14, of Dover, were held Friday, Dec. 23, in Torbert Funeral Chapel South, Dover. Jonathan died suddenly Tuesday, Dec. 20, 2005, in his home.
Jonathan was in the seventh grade at Providence Creek Academy in Clayton.
He had enjoyed all sports, including golf, football, baseball and roller-skating. He also loved being with his two Labrador retrievers, Buddy and Colby.
Jonathan wanted to become a Marine and was a member of the First State Young Marines club. He also was a member of the Southside Baptist Church in Dover.
He is survived by his parents, Michael M. and Deborah Skinner Hibbert of Dover; his maternal grandparents, Patrick and Theresa Skinner of Dover; his paternal grandmother, Virginia Biger of Kenton; and three uncles and two aunts, Gary Skinner of Newark, David and Kathie Skinner of Bear, and Geoffrey and Mary Lou Biger of Kenton.
Interment was in Sharon Hills Memorial Park, Dover.
Memorial contributions may be made to the First State Young Marines, Jonathan Hibbert Fund, c/o Torbert Funeral Chapel, 1145 E. Lebanon Road, Dover, DE 19904; or to Southside Baptist Church Sunday School, 4904 S. DuPont Highway, Dover, DE 19901.
Helen Elizabeth Miller Jones
Graveside services for Helen Elizabeth Miller Jones, 81, of Dover, will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 29, in Mount Hope Cemetery, Aston, Pa. Friends may call from 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 28, in Torbert Funeral Chapel South, 1145 E. Lebanon Road., Dover. Mrs. Jones died Sunday, Dec. 25, 2005, in her home.
Mrs. Jones was born Nov. 28, 1924, in Chester, Pa., daughter of the late Howard A. and Catherine Sproat Miller.
She worked as a secretary for Household Finance in Chester. After moving to Dover, she worked as a secretary for many companies such as the Nehi Bottling Co., Dover Leasing Co., Marsteller’s Dairy Markets and All Seasons Landscaping.
Mrs. Jones was a member of Ladies of the Elks BPOE 1903 and Peoples United Church of Christ.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Sharpless W. Jones, in October 1985.
She is survived by a daughter, Helaine Beth Jones of Dover; a sister, Elaine K. Bender of Miami; a granddaughter, Alexis M. Jones; five nieces; and two nephews.
Instead of flowers, the family suggests contributions to the Alexis M. Jones Educational Fund, c/o Artisans Bank, 1555 S. Governors Ave., Dover, DE 19904.
Myrna V. Jones
Funeral services for Myrna V. Jones, 63, of Dover, will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 28, in Whatcoat United Methodist Church, Dover, where friends may call two hours earlier. Ms. Jones died Friday, Dec. 23, 2005, in University of Maryland Hospital, Baltimore.
Ms. Jones was born Sept. 10, 1942, in Flushing, N.Y., eldest daughter of the late Octave and Nellie Jones.
She worked as a social worker and foster mother most of her life.
Ms. Jones sang with the Dover Air Force Base Choir and was a member of Whatcoat United Methodist Church in Dover.
She is survived by a son and daughter-in-law, Marc and Lisa Jones of Newark; a sister, Theresa Fraiser of Dover; a brother, Octave Jones of South Carolina; an aunt, Roberta Wright of Virginia; a devoted cousin, Anne; a niece, Sheila; a nephew, Patrick; nine grandchildren; several great-nieces and nephews; and a host of cousins and numerous friends.
Interment was in Sharon Hills Memorial Park, Dover.
Arrangements were by Bennie Smith Funeral Home, Dover.
Charles Edward Lamb
Charles Edward Lamb, 44, of Dover died Wednesday, Dec. 21, 2005, in a house fire.
Mr. Lamb was born Nov. 29, 1961, in Abilene, Texas, son of Joyce J. Rock Lamb of Milton and the late William B. Lamb.
He received his associate’s degree from Delaware Technical & Community College, Terry Campus, Dover, and his bachelor’s degree from Wesley College, Dover.
Mr. Lamb worked as a maintenance mechanic for Delaware State University, and then, for Kent County Wastewater Management.
He was an avid nature lover and enjoyed photography, waterfowl, woodcarving, painting, writing short stories and gardening.
During the 1976 Bicentennial celebration, Mr. Lamb was a member of the Dover Light Infantry Re-enactment Regiment. He served as a corps drummer from 1973 to 1978.
In addition to his mother, Mr. Lamb is survived by three sisters and a brother-in-law, LaVonda Lamb of Milton, Annette and David Sweet of Woodside, and Pam Pratt of Felton; an uncle, Robert Lamb; and his niece and nephews, Carly, Andy and Jacob.
Arrangements were by Torbert Funeral Chapels, Dover.
Services will be private.
Instead of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions either to the American Heart Association, Kent County Division, 1151 Walker Road, Suite 202, Dover, DE 19904; or to the American Diabetes Association, Attention: Donations, 1660 Duke St., Alexandria, VA 22314.
Senior Master Sgt. Mario Lovisone, USAF (Ret.)
Visitation for Mario Lovisone, 88, of Dover, will be held from 6 until 8 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 29, at the Torbert Funeral Chapel, 61 S. Bradford St., Dover. Mr. Lovisone died Wednesday, Dec. 21, 2005, in the Capitol Nursing Home, Dover.
Mr. Lovisone was born Feb. 24, 1917, in Manchester, Conn., son of the late Camello and Latisha Martinetto Lovisone.
He was a veteran of World War II and the Korean and Vietnam Wars, serving in the United States Air Force for 29 years as a flight engineer before retiring in 1967. He was a member of the Air Force Sergeants Association.
Mr. Lovisone was an avid fan of the Notre Dame football team. He loved fishing, spending time with his family and friends, and being with his grandchildren at Broadkill Beach.
He was also co-owner of the Villa Maria Restaurant in Dover and worked at the Delaware Department of Transportation.
Mr. Lovisone was preceded in death by his wife, Mary Ostrout Lovisone, in April 1985.
He is survived by two daughters and their husbands, Jane and Daniel Palmese and Judy and Michael Malkiewicz, all of Dover; four grandchildren, Stephanie LaBarbara and her husband Steven of Long Island, N.Y., Marc Palmese and his wife Beth of Atlanta, Ga., and Tom Malkiewicz and Christine Malkiewicz both of Dover; two great grandchildren, Vincent Palmese and Joseph Palmese of Atlanta; and by all the loving and caring nurses, CNAs and staff at Capitol Nursing Home.
Graveside services will be held 2 p.m. Friday, Dec. 30, 2005, at Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Va.
In lieu of flowers the family suggests contributions be made to the Air Mobility Command Museum, 1301 Heritage Road, Dover Air Force Base, DE 19902; or to Heartland Hospice, 261 Chapman Road, Stockton Building, Suite 100, Newark, DE 19702.
Amelia ‘Molly’ Melville
Funeral services for Amelia “Molly” Melville, 92, were held Friday, Dec. 23, in Torbert Funeral Chapel, Dover. Mrs. Melville died Wednesday, Dec. 21, 2005, surrounded by her family.
Mrs. Melville was born Aug. 30, 1913, in Baltimore, daughter of the late John and Mary Plochy Walla.
She was raised on the family farm and was a lifelong resident of the Hartly area.
Mrs. Melville was employed for many years at the former Leeds Travelwear in Clayton, and raised her family in this area.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, William Melville; two brothers, Frank Walla and John Walla; two sisters, Frances Comegys and Mary Lloyd; and a grandson, Greg Melville.
She is survived by three sons, James Melville of near Kenton, Ronald Melville of Hartly and Edmond Melville of Carlisle, Pa.; a daughter, Eileen Lewis of Mesquite, Texas; two sisters, Helen Clough of Millington, Md., and Rose Mazcko of Barclay, Md.; five grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.
Memorial contributions in Mrs. Melville’s name may be made to Meals on Wheels Program, 1121 Forrest Ave., Dover, DE 19904; or to the Mamie Warren Senior Center, P.O. Box 42, Kenton, DE 19955.
