Search Archived Marriage Records
Robert Demarest Dawson, 39
CAMDEN - Robert Demarest Dawson of Camden died Friday, Dec. 27, 2002, in his home. He was 39.
Memorial services will be 7 p.m. Friday in Whatcoat United Methodist Church, Camden.
William Thomas Dempsey, 78
FARMINGTON - William Thomas Dempsey of Farmington, formerly of Dunnellon, Fla., died Monday, Jan. 13, 2003, in his home. He was 78.
Mr. Dempsey grew up in Wilmington.
He was preceded in death by a son, James Irving Dempsey; his first wife, Grace Y. Dempsey; and his second wife, Mildred M. Dempsey.
He is survived by five daughters and sons-in-law, Myrtle and Norman Stapleford of Milford, Betty and John Hamilton of Farmington, with whom he resided, Wendy and Joseph Stapleford of Frederica, Edna and Eugene Rust of Lincoln and Majorie and Buddy Ward of Dunnellon; a son and daughter-in-law, Joseph and Bonnie Dempsey of Dagsboro; a daughter-in-law, Arleen Dempsey of Milford; a brother, Richard Dempsey of Wilmington; 15 grandchildren; and 22 great grandchildren.
Services will be 2 p.m. Thursday in Berry Short Funeral Home, 119 N.W. Front St., Milford, where friends may call one hour earlier.
Burial will be in Slaughter Neck Cemetery, Milford.
Instead of flowers, contributions may be made to the funeral home to help with funeral expenses.
Henry John Eckert Sr., 55
DOVER - Henry John Eckert Sr. of Dover, formerly of Salisbury, Md., died Friday, Jan. 10, 2003. He was 55.
Mr. Eckert was born in Baltimore, son of Sophia Eckert of Hebron, Md., and the late Henry Arthur Eckert.
He was self-employed at NAPA Auto Parts of Pocomoke City, Md.
Mr. Eckert was a member of St. Francis DeSales Catholic Church, Salisbury.
In addition to his mother, he is survived by three sons, Henry John Eckert Jr. of Magnolia, Randy Eckert of Salisbury and Jerry Eckert of Glen Burnie, Md.; a daughter, Pam Haney of Delmar, Md.; a brother, Carroll Eckert of Titusville, Fla.; two sisters, Diane Totaro of Baltimore and Joann Griffin of Hebron; four grandchildren, Kira Eckert, Kasey Webster, Kayla Haney and Tony Bowen, and several nieces and nephews.
Calling hours and a prayer service were Monday.
Mass of Christian burial will be 10 a.m. today in Holy Redeemer Catholic Church, Delmar. Father Edward M. Aigner will officiate.
Burial will be in Springhill Memory Garden, Hebron.
The family suggests contributions may be made to the American Diabetes Association, 114 Baptist St., Salisbury, MD 21804.
Joyce J. Horstman, 69
LAUREL - Joyce J. Horstman of Laurel died Sunday, Jan. 12, 2003, in Nanticoke Memorial Hospital, Seaford. She was 69.
Mrs. Horstman was born in Finchville, Md., daughter of the late Emery and Mary Hignutt.
She was a seamstress and machine operator at Playtex in Dover. Her most important job was being a mother, wife and homemaker.
She was a collector of lighthouse statuettes, collectible portraits, sun catchers and books about lighthouses. She acted as a lighthouse to everyone she met.
Mrs. Horstman attended Seaford Church of God for 46 years. She was a very determined supporter of biblical and gospel missions.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by two brothers, Edward Hignutt and Emory Hignutt Jr.; and a sister, Anretta Hurlock.
She is survived by her husband of 43 years, John W. Horstman; a son, Kenneth R. Horstman of Greenwood; two daughters, Fern R. Kester of Millsboro and Robin A. Prettyman Horstman of Laurel; a sister, Della M. Leighman of Hurlock, Md.; two stepsons, John W. Horstman Jr. of Newburn, N.C., and Robert L. Horstman of Westover, Md.; eight grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
Services will be 2 p.m. Thursday in Short Funeral Home, 700 W. St., Laurel, where friends may call one hour earlier.
Burial will be in Laurel Hill Cemetery, Laurel.
The family suggests contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 163, Salisbury, MD 21803-0163; or the Lupus Foundation of America Delaware Chapter, 100 W. 10th St., Suite 1015, Wilmington, DE 19801.
Jane Raneri Jones, 49
BETHEL - Jane Raneri Jones of Bethel died of heart failure Sunday, Jan. 12, 2003, in Nanticoke Memorial Hospital, Seaford. She was 49.
Ms. Jones was born in Doylestown, Pa., daughter of Geraldine Lankford Raneri of Bethel and the late Nicholas Raneri.
She was a graduate of Laurel High School, class of 1971, and the University of Delaware, class of 1975.
Ms. Jones was a former schoolteacher who due to illness had to retire from teaching a number of years ago.
In addition to her mother, she is survived by a daughter, Rachel E. Jones of Lewisville, Texas; a brother, Tony Raneri of Bethel; and two sisters, Molly Raneri and Tamsey Ward, both of Laurel.
Services will be 2 p.m. Wednesday in Watson-Yates Funeral Home, Front and King streets, Seaford, where friends may call one hour earlier. Deacon Arcy Passwaters will officiate.
Burial will be in Our Lady of Lourdes Cemetery, Seaford.
Instead of flowers, contributions may be made to (Brain Injury Trauma Association Memorial Gardens) First State Headquarters, P.O. Box 1178 Hockessin, DE 19707; or to a charity of your choice.
Margaret 'Pat' McNamara, 80
LEWES - Margaret "Pat" McNamara of Lewes, formerly of York, Pa., and Dewey Beach, died Saturday, Jan. 4, 2003, in Aspen, Colo., while visiting in Snowmass Village, Colo. She was 80.
Mrs. McNamara was born in Casmalia, Calif. She also lived in Oregon, Massachusetts, New York, Pennsylvania and Delaware.
She lived an active and unique life, meeting and marrying her late husband, H. F. "Mac" McNamara, while they were both serving in the Marine Corps during World War II.
Mrs. McNamara's favorite pastime was digging in her gardens, walking barefoot on the beach and watching the sunsets over the bay in Dewey Beach, where she and her family have vacationed for nearly 40 years.
She is survived by her four children, Stephen of Fort Lauderdale, Fla., Kathleen, with whom she lived, of Lewes, Antoinette of Rockland, Maine, and Michael of Snowmass Village; and her one precious grandchild, Christopher of Snowmass Village.
Services will be private.
Instead of flowers, the family suggests contributions to KINfolk, P.O. Box 9267, Wilmington, DE 19809-0267.
Raymond S. Rust, 83
GEORGETOWN - Raymond S. Rust of Georgetown and Dewey Beach died Sunday, Jan. 12, 2003, in Beebe Medical Center, Lewes. He was 83.
Mr. Rust was born in Georgetown, son of the late George F. and Ellen (Holton) Rust.
He was an Army veteran, serving in World War II.
He owned and operated Rust Market in Georgetown for 23 years from 1950 to 1973. After retiring from the market he worked as a butcher in Atkins Meats in Dagsboro and King Cole in Milton, and was a DX driver for MeGee Motors until his illness in May.
He enjoyed working in his yard and driving his restored 1960 half-ton pickup. He loved his family and his church.
Mr. Rust was a member of Georgetown VFW, Redmens Lodge 21 and Grace U.M. Church, Georgetown.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two sisters, Kathryn Willard and Eleanor Elliott; and a son-in-law, Biff Bennett.
He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Ruth (Dykes) Rust of Georgetown; a daughter and son-in-law, Nancy and John Sapp of Laurel; two sisters, Louise Simone of Georgetown and Blanche Epolito of Seaford; two brothers, Jack Rust of Newark and Fred Rust of Georgetown; a granddaughter, Elizabeth Agresta, and her husband, Dominic; and three great-grandchildren, Kyle, Cody and Corey.
Services will be 2 p.m. Wednesday in Grace U.M. Church, Market Street, Georgetown, where friends may call two hours earlier. The Rev. Mark Pruitt-Barnett will officiate.
Burial will be in Union Cemetery.
Arrangements by Short Funeral Services, Georgetown.
Betty Margaret Rice, 81
CAMDEN - Betty Margaret Rice of Green Acres, Camden, died of lung disease Friday, April 27, 2001, in Bayhealth-Kent General Hospital, Dover. She was 81.
Mrs. Rice was born in Pottstown, Pa., the daughter of the late Clarence S. and Rachel B. Chapman Stehley.
She was a homemaker and a nurse's aide.
In her free time, she enjoyed doing crafts and poetry.
Mrs. Rice was a member of Port Deposit Presbyterian Church in Port Deposit, Md.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Francis B. Rice, in 1974; and a son, David Rice, in 1969.
She is survived by four sons, Charles O. Davis of Norfolk, Mass., John L. Rice of Fredericksburg, Va., William A. Rice of Cherry Hill, Md., and Lawrence Rice of New Mexico; five daughters: Shirley Tripoli of Coatsville, Pa., Margaret Page of Fredericksburg, Va., Frances Cooke of Camden, Pauline N.R. Jennings of Georgia and Virginia Swenson of Norfolk, Mass.; several grandchildren; several great-grandchildren; and several great-grandchildren.
Service will be at the convenience of the family.
Instead of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions to Delaware Hospice, 911 Lotus St., Dover, DE 19901; or to the Camden-Wyoming Fire Co. Ambulance Fund, Camden, DE 19934.
Arrangements by Trader Funeral Home, Dover.
Mabel Meehan Schlimme, 90
SMYRNA - Mabel Meehan Schlimme of Smyrna died, after a long illness, Sunday, April 8, 2001, in St. Martha's Manor, Downingtown, Pa. She was 90.
Mrs. Schlimme was born in Philadelphia, Pa., daughter of the late Colonel Thomas F. Meehan and Josephine Hamel Meehan.
She lived in Wilmington Delaware until 1950, while her husband, Benjamin F. Schlimme II, was employed at duPont. She then lived in Chester County from 1950 until 1994. Before Saint Martha's, she most recently resided in Smyrna, with her son, Paul B. Schlimme.
Mrs. Schlimme was a graduate of Philadelphia Girl's High, Class of 1928. She also was a graduate of Bryn Mawr College, in 1933 with a BA, and 1934 with an MA.
She was an accomplished woman who studied piano at the Curtis Institute, spoke four languages, and was competitive in ballroom dancing into her 80s.
Mrs. Schlimme was a long time member of Holy Trinity Episcopal Church in West Chester, Pa. She was an active member of the Chester County League of Women voters, an elected member of the Westtown Thornbury School Board for 12 years, and also served as her class president for many years with the Bryn Mawr College Alumni Association.
In addition to her parents, and her husband, she was preceded in death by a son, Alan C. Schlimme; a grandson at birth, and a granddaughter, Heather Greer.
In addition to her son, she is survived by a daughter, Claire S. Scarcelli of Downingtown, Pa.; three foster sons, John K. Greer of Richmond, N.H., F. Thomas Greer of Wilmington, and Carl R. Greer of Cumming, Ga.; 14 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.
Memorial service will be 11 a.m. Saturday at Holy Trinity Church Chapel, 212 South High St. in West Chester.
Burial will be private in Westminster Cemetery in Bala Cynwyd, Pa., following her whole body donation to The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Human Gifts Registry for medical education.
The family suggests memorial contributions may be made to Bryn Mawr College Alumni Association, Mabel M. Schlimme, at 101 North Merion Ave., Bryn Mawr, PA 19010 or Alzheimer's Association, 325 Chestnut St., Suite 1120, Philadelphia, PA 19106, where donations may also be made online at www.alz.org.
Virginia B. Short, 78
LAUREL - Virginia B. Short of Laurel died of natural causes Friday, April 27, 2001, in her home. She was 78.
Mrs. Short served in the U.S. Army Nurse Corps with the 308th General Hospital in the Asiatic-Pacific Theater during World War II, holding the rank of first lieutenant. She was stationed on Tinian in the Marianas Islands and, during the occupation, at the Japanese Naval Academy in Honshu, Japan, as well as in Tokyo.
After returning stateside in 1946, she married Navy veteran John L. Short Jr. and settled in Laurel. She worked for many years as a registered nurse with Dr. Pierce Ellis' medical practice. She became a full-time mother for 15 years, then, returned to work as a registered nurse for the state of Delaware at Stockley Center near Georgetown. She retired in 1988 as night supervisor of the facility.
She enjoyed vacationing at her Ocean City, Md., residences, as well as gardening, dining out and attending swing-band performances.
Mrs. Short was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star Chapter 18 in Laurel, the Veterans of Foreign Wars National Chapter Post 15008, the American Legion Post 19 in Laurel and the Women in Military Service Memorial.
She was preceded in death by her husband in August 1998; her parents, Roland M. and Elizabeth S. Brittingham.
She is survived by a daughter and son-in-law, Jinya L. and Bruce Bennett, and a grandson, Andy Devine, all of Laurel; a son and daughter-in-law, John L. Short III and Maggie Short of Laurel, and two grandsons, John L. Short IV and Aaron Short; and a niece, Joyce Young, and Mrs. Young's husband, Jim Young, both of Laurel.
Service will be private.
Burial will be in Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Bear.
Instead of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions to Delaware Hospice, Suite 107, 600 Du Pont Highway, Georgetown, DE 19947.
Arrangements by Short Funeral Home, Laurel.
Elwood Statum, 93
FEDERALSBURG, Md. - Elwood Statum of Federalsburg died of heart failure Thursday, April 26, 2001, in Mallard Nursing Home in Cambridge. He was 93.
Mr. Statum was born Sept. 8, 1907, near Denton, the son of the late Augustus and Bertha Jester Statum.
His last place of employment was Solo Cup, where he worked until his retirement in 1987.
He was preceded in death by his first wife, Blanch Drake Statum, Aug. 26, 1954.
He is survived by his wife, Lillian "Rose" Estes Statum of Denton; a son, Frank Statum of Federalsburg; a granddaughter, Lauren Martz of Salisbury; and two great-grandchildren.
Service will be 11 a.m. Saturday in Unity Washington Cemetery, Hurlock, with the Rev. Peter Smith officiating.
Burial will be in Unity Washington Cemetery, Hurlock.
Arrangements by Williamson Funeral Home, 311 S. Main St., Federalsburg.
Dorothea Romberger Welch, 86
HOUSTON, Texas - Dorothea Romberger Welch of Houston, and formerly of Georgetown, Del., died Wednesday, April 25, 2001, in her home. She was 86.
Mrs. Welch was born in Philadelphia, Pa., the daughter of the late Ross and Louise Sanders Romberger.
She lived many years in Short Hill, N.J. with her husband, before retiring to Georgetown. She then joined her son in Houston, in 1994.
Mrs. Welch's interests included a love for reading an appreciation of fine arts and a quest for spiritual development. She was a loving and thoughtful person who lived a life of grace and dignity. Her warm and friendly smile will be missed by all.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, whom she married in 1939, at the University of Virginia Chapel in Charlottesville, Neal M. Welch, in 1986.
She is survived by her son and his wife, Neal William and Patricia Awe Welch of Houston; her daughter and her husband, Dorothee Welch and Bud McIntosh of Calhoun, La.; and six grandchildren, John Bayne Welch IV and his wife Laura of Austin, Erin Lea Welch of Omaha, Neb., Virginia Ann and Peter William Welch both of Houston, Bryan N. McIntosh of Myrtle Beach, S.C., and Christopher R. McIntosh of Calhoun.
Service will be 1 p.m. Monday at St. Paul's Episcopal Church, Pine and Academy Street, Georgetown.
Burial will be in Old Fellows Cemetery, Milton, Del.
Those wishing to make memorial gifts may do so to St. Paul's Episcopal Church, Pine and Academy Street, Georgetown, DE 19947.
Sun Myun Yun, 92
LOUISA, Va. - Sun Myun Yun of Louisa, and formerly of Milford, Del., died Thursday, April 26, 2001, in the Louisa Health Center. She was 92.
Mrs. Yun was born Dec. 14, 1908, in Korea.
She was a homemaker.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 67 years, Hwa Yong Yun, July 28, 1994; and two sons, Yong Ho Yun, Feb. 22, 1999; and Jin Ho Yun, May 8, 1994.
She is survived by three daughters, Linda Coursey of Wyoming, Del., Hyo H. Chi of Dover, Del., and Son Ye Kang of Atlanta; 14 grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren.
Graveside service will be 11 a.m. Monday in Odd Fellows Cemetery, Milford.
Arrangements by Torbert Funeral Chapel, Dover.
Donald S. Claggett, 76
FREDERICA - Donald S. Claggett of Frederica died Friday, April 25, 2003, in Bayhealth-Milford Memorial Hospital, Milford. He was 76.
Mr. Claggett was born Dec. 11, 1926, in Baltimore, son of the late Percy and Hester Peregoy Claggett.
He served in the U.S. Navy, the U.S. Air Force and in the Merchant Marines.
He worked as a warehouse man for Lever Bros.
Mr. Claggett was a member of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3065 in Baltimore.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two brothers, Robert Elwood Claggett and Clifford Mark Claggett.
He is survived by his wife of 44 years, Ellyn Kenney Claggett of Frederica; two sons, John S. Claggett of Spotsylvania, Va. and Donald A. Claggett of Bowers Beach; two stepsons, Larry Miller of Baltimore and Mickey Miller of Ocean City, Md.; a daughter, Rhonda Dare of Magnolia; seven grandchildren, Johnny Claggett of Virginia, Amy Marple of Magnolia, Darcie Taylor of Tazewell, Va., James T. Dare, Mark Ian Dare, Corney Dare, Keriann Dare, all of Magnolia; and two great-grandchildren, Michael D. Taylor of Tazewell and Johnny Claggett of Virginia.
Friends may call from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday in the Trader Funeral Home, 12 Lotus St., Dover.
Services will be 11 a.m. Wednesday in the funeral home.
Burial will be at Sharon Hill Memorial Park in the Garden of Honor. Dover.
Instead of flowers, the family suggests contributions may be made to the North Bowers Beach Fire Co.
Lloyd Fitzgerald, 95
LONG NECK - Lloyd Fitzgerald of Long Neck died peacefully surrounded by those who loved him Saturday, April 26, 2003, in his home. He was 95.
Mr. Fitzgerald was born in 1907, one of 13 children of John and Kate (Groman) Fitzgerald.
He owned and operated successful businesses in Delaware during his life, including Fitzgerald's Mobile Gas Station and the Fitzgerald Burner Service. In later years, he opened the New and Used Furniture Outlet in Townsend. He also recycled metal and glass, and he held annual sparerib barbecues for charity.
Mr. Fitzgerald was an active member and past governor of the New Castle Loyal Order of the Moose. Until the age of 90, he participated in and completed the annual MS Walk-A-Thons.
He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Helen (Szymanski) Fitzgerald; a sister, Sarah Steinhauer of Pottstown, Pa.; seven children and their spouses, Elizabeth and Richard Dilworth of Norristown, Pa., Grace Fitzgerald of Eagleville, Pa., Patricia Beckley of Harbeson, John Fitzgerald of Long Neck, Nancy and David Clark of Newark, Fay Anderson of Middletown, and Deborah Rich of Greenwood; 24 grandchildren, 32 great-grandchildren, and four great-great-grandchildren.
Services will be 2 p.m. Wednesday in Grace Lawn Memorial Chapel, Grace Lawn Memorial Cemetery, Dupont Highway, Minquadale, where friends may call one hour earlier at the chapel.
Burial will be in the cemetery.
Instead of flowers, the family suggests contributions by made be to Delaware Hospice Sussex County, 600 DuPont Highway, Suite 700, Georgetown, DE 19947.
Agnes M. Herring, 78
NEWARK - Agnes M. Herring of Newark died Friday, April 24, 2003, in the Christiana Care Center. She was 78.
Mrs. Herring was a homemaker.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Arthur L. Herring, in 1996.
She is survived by two daughters and sons-in-law, Barbara L. and Joseph Lagano of Ocean View and Jacqueline A. and Bill Osowski of Hockessin; six grandchildren, Joe Lagano, Michael Lagano, Donna Lagano, Frank Lagano, Brenda Curran and Theresa Crowson; 14 great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.
Services will be noon Tuesday in the Daniels & Hutchison Funeral Home, 212 N. Broad St., Middletown, where friends may call from 10:30 a.m. to noon.
Burial will be in the Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Bear.
