10/28/05

Richard Henry Lee Laird
retired bank VP
Richard Henry Lee Laird, 76, devoted husband, father, grandfather and friend of Wilmington, Rehoboth Beach and Delray Beach, Fla. died suddenly Monday, Oct. 24, 2005.
He attended Tower Hill School and Cranbrook School in Bloomfield Hills, Mich., and graduated from the University of Virginia in 1952.  Immediately following graduation, he joined Wilmington Trust and retired from the Trust Department in 1992 as senior vice president.
Throughout his life, he selflessly shared his time and energy as a dedicated board member of the Boys and Girls Club of Delaware, the Children’s Beach House, and the Delaware Curative Workshop.  He was a member of the Wilmington Club, Vicmead Hunt Club, Rehoboth Beach Country Club, and both the Gulfstream Bath and Tennis Club and St. Andrews Club in Gulfstream, Fla.  He was also a member of the Aurora Gun Club and past chairman of the Delaware Chapter of Ducks Unlimited. 
A direct descendent of Richard Henry Lee, founding father and signer of the Declaration of Independence, he was a life-long member of the Society of Lees of Virginia and past governor of the Society of Colonial Wars.
His wonderful sense of humor, kindness and genuine interest in others helped foster life long friendships to both young and old alike.  He was a loyal alumnus of the University of Virginia and enjoyed golf, travel, baseball and the outdoors.
His family includes his beloved wife of 50 years, Marnie; two sons; and three grandchildren: Richard and his wife Lucinda and their daughter, Felicity, of Chadds Ford, Pa.; Peter and his wife, Patti, and their children, Mary Virginia and Andrew of Coconut Grove, Fla.
A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 29, at Christ Church Christiana Hundred, Buck Road, Wilmington.  A chapel and graveside service will be held Sunday, Oct. 30, at St. Georges Chapel, Harbeson, at  2 p.m. 
Contributions may be made to the Boys and Girls Club of Delaware, 669 S. Union St., Wilmington, DE  19805 or Children’s Beach House, 100 W. 10th St., Suite 411, Wilmington, DE  19801.
 Arrangements by Chandler Funeral Homes.

Ruth E. Townsend,
IR cafeteria worker
Ruth E. Townsend, 93, of Georgetown, went home to be with the Lord on Sunday, Oct. 23, 2005.
Mrs. Townsend was born Dec. 11, 1911, in Frankford, the daughter of the late Raymond and Bernice Bunting.
She had been employed by the state of Delaware, Indian River School District, as a cafeteria worker for 15 years.
Mrs. Townsend was a member of St. George’s United Methodist Church in Clarksville; she was also a member of Frankford chapter 12, Order of the Eastern Star.
She was preceded in death by her husband, William L. Townsend, in May 1952.
She is survived by her son, William C. Townsend, with whom she lived; her daughter, Alice K. Baker and her husband Mahlon of Bridgeville; two grandchildren, Steven D. Tyre and his wife Denise of Dagsboro and Krystal McCoy and her husband Keith of Bridgeville; two great-grandchildren, Dakota S. Tyre and Trevor S. Timmons; three brothers, Frank Bunting of Dagsboro, Alvin Bunting of Bridgeton, N.J. and Raymond Bunting of Georgetown; three sisters, Christene Layton of Dagsboro, Alice Cosden of Camden and Hilda LeCates of Georgetown; and her caretaker, Mary Jean Bunting, whom she loved and trusted dearly.
Services were held at St. George’s United Methodist Church, Clarksville, with burial in the adjoining church cemetery.
Contributions are suggested to St. George’s United Methodist Church, New Parsonage Fund, c/o Lana Bowden, Route 2, Box F, Clarksville DE 19970.
Arrangements by Melson Funeral Services, Frankford.

Henry F. Hill,
Sussex magistrate
Henry F. Hill, 90, of Lewes, died at Lewes Convalescent Center on Tuesday, Oct. 25, 2005.
Mr. Hill owned and operated “Hilly’s” Package Store and Catering Service for many years and he later became a judge in the Sussex County Magistrates Court System until his retirement.
“Hilly” was a former chief of police for the city of Rehoboth Beach in his younger years. He loved horses and enjoyed training them after his retirement. He was a member of St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in Lewes, where he served on the Vestry.
He was preceded in death by a daughter, Carol L. Bader.
Mr. Hill is survived by is wife of 66 years, Marian Hill, and a great granddaughter, Page Elizabeth Athey. He is survived by a son, Dr. William T. Hill and his fiancée, Caroline; a daughter, Sharon H. Melson and her husband, Doug; a granddaughter, Jennifer M. Athey; three grandsons, Michael and Frank Hill and Vollie D. Melson.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m., Friday, Oct. 28 at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in Lewes with burial in St. Peter’s Episcopal Cemetery, Pilottown Road, Lewes.
Contributions are suggested to a charity of choice.

Josephine Passwaters,
World War II veteran
Josephine Poole Passwaters, 86, of Seaford and formerly of Bridgeville, peacefully passed away on Monday, Oct. 24, 2005, at the Methodist Manor House Heath Center.
Jo was born Aug. 14, 1919 in Dover, to the late Clinton S. and Elizabeth J. Poole, formerly of Federalsburg, Md. 
She was a graduate of Beacom College. Then, she patriotically served as a WAVE with the U.S. Navy during World War II. She was a member of Union United Methodist Church in Bridgeville, the Methodist Women, Bridgeville Lioness Club, Women in Military Service, the Red Hat Society, and a former volunteer for the Nanticoke Memorial Hospital Auxiliary. She was a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother, a well as being an accomplished seamstress and gardener.
In addition to her parents, Jo was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 49 years, Ray E. Passwaters, and her brothers, Henry and Frederick Poole.
She is survived by her children, Sherry Holmes and her husband Marty of Bridgeville; Eileen Wall and her husband Larry of Naples, Fla.; and Deborah Dewsbury and her husband, Michael of Charlotte, N.C.; four grandchildren, Jennifer Bradley, Heather Holmes, Alex Dewsbury and Amy Dolbow; and three great-grandchildren.
A funeral service will be held at 2 p.m., Friday, Oct. 28, in the Union United Methodist Church, Market & Laws Street, Bridgeville. 
Arrangements are being handled by Parsell Funeral Homes & Crematorium, Hardesty Chapel, Bridgeville.
Contributions are suggested to Union United Methodist Church, 2 North Laws Streets, Bridgeville, DE 19933 or to the Bridgeville Lioness Club, 304 Laws Street, Bridgeville, DE 19933.

Myrl Frances Webb,
retired florist
Myrl Frances (McNicol) Webb, 96, of Lewes, died Saturday, Oct. 22, 2005 at the Methodist Manor House, Seaford.
She was born on June 12, 1909 in Ontario, Canada daughter of the late Colin McNicol and Louise Brown McNicol.
She had been employed as a florist her entire life, working with her husband J. Willis Webb as owners of the McNicol Florist Shop in Lewes. The Webbs sold the business in the 1960s. After retirement Mrs. Webb, along with her husband, traveled extensively all over the United States and Canada in their Airstream Mobile Home.  She was a 1931 graduate of the University of Delaware with a degree in home economics.
In addition to her parents and her husband, Mrs. Webb was preceded in death by two sons, Jesse Colin Webb and Donald McNicol Webb. 
She is survived by her granddaughters, Amy (Webb) West and her husband Joe of Milton, and Abby Rowland Webb of Rehoboth Beach.
Graveside services will be held at 2 p.m., Friday, Oct. 28, 2005 at Henlopen Memorial Park, Route 1 near Milton; Rev. Max Wolf will be officiating.
Arrangements by Parsell Funeral Homes & Crematorium, Atkins-Lodge Chapel, Lewes.
Contributions are suggested to St. Georges Episcopal Church, 18 Olive Avenue, Rehoboth Beach, DE 19971.

Joseph E. Huber,
Lewes resident,
Joseph E. Huber, 71, of Lewes, passed away Sunday, Oct. 23, 2005 at his home.
He was the beloved husband of Ruth C. (Meise) Huber; devoted father of Jeffrey J. Huber and wife Diane K.; brothers, Otto and Paul; sister Alva Roop.
A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday, Oct. 29 at Conley’s Methodist Church, 22150 Robinsonville Road, Lewes. Interment will follow in the adjoining church cemetery.
Arrangements by Melson Funeral Services of Long Neck.

Linda Hensley-Serpa,
social catering director
Linda “Lynn” Hensley-Serpa, 52, of Milton and formerly of Washington, D.C. and Naples, Fla., died Monday, Oct. 24, 2005, in Milton, surrounded by her loving family.
Mrs. Hensley-Serpa was born in Baltimore, daughter of Freda M. Prothe of Laurel and the late John William Hensley.
After attending Towson State University for a year, she moved to Washington and got her first job working in the catering and hospitality department at La Fountaine Bleu. She worked for more than 30 years for some of the finest establishments in Washington and Florida and most recently for the Four Seasons Hotel in Washington as the director of social catering. She loved what she did, and found the most joy when organizing benefits for charitable organizations, like her favorite, Best Buddies, a nonprofit charity that is dedicated to helping disabled children.
Her nieces and nephews were the light of her life. She enjoyed spending time with them so much, that she moved to Delaware to be close to them. She loved the beach and found it comforting to be close to the ocean.
Mrs. Hensley-Serpa was a member of Christ Lutheran Church in Seaford.
She is survived by her mother and stepfather, Freda M. and Norman Prothe of Laurel; four brothers, John William Hensley Jr. and Lonnie Dale Hensley, both of Seaford, and Richard D. Davis and Daniel Davis, both of Milton; a sister, Colleen Dean of Greenwood; an aunt, Naomi Willis of Tifton, Ga.; her good friend and former husband, Vincent Serpa, of Naples, Fla.; and many nieces and nephews, whom she considered her grandchildren.
Services were held in Christ Lutheran Church, Shipley Street, Seaford. A graveside committal services was held in Hillcrest Memorial Gardens, Annapolis, Md.
Memorial contributions may be made to Best Buddies, 401 Ninth St. N.W., Suite 750, Washington, D.C. 20004. Arrangements by Short Funeral Home, Laurel.

Ruth Delane Mills,
home health aide
Ruth Delane Mills, 58, of Rehoboth Beach, passed away Saturday, Oct. 22, 2005, in her home surrounded by her friends and family.
Mrs. Mills was born Oct. 22, 1947, daughter of the late Hilton and Emma Mapp Mills. She grew up in the Virginia area and attended public schools in Accomac County.
She worked for Perdue for many years. After her retirement, she was a private duty home health aide. She moved to Delaware in the mid-1980s and had helped her late devoted companion, Charlie Pettit, with his auto mechanic business.
Mrs. Mills was a member of the Soul Saving Station Church in Rehoboth Beach, where she gave her life to the Lord and was baptized. She enjoyed attending the services and giving a testimony every Sunday.
She is survived by her husband, whom she married in 1966, Ralph Savage Sr. of Rehoboth Beach; three sons, Ralph Savage Jr., Darwin Savage, and Charles R. Pettit III, all of Rehoboth Beach; two stepdaughters, Valerie Brown of Cashville, Va., and Dorothea Dickerson of Belle Haven, Va.; a grandchild, Desiree Thomas Savage of Millsboro; four brothers, Cleveland Mills of Florida, William C. Mapp of the Eastern Shore, and Hilton Upshur and Charlie Upshur, both of Wachapreague, Va.; four sisters and two brothers-in-law, Marlene and Bill Thomas of Ohio, Geraldine Nock of Bridgeville, Ada and Jonathan McNair of Millsboro, and Patricia Pettit of Laurel; two aunts, Gladys Mapp and Christine Mapp, both of Wachapreague; and a host of additional family and friends.
Services were held in Saint John’s Second Baptist Church, Mount Joy.
Arrangements by Cooper and Humbles Funeral Home, Accomac, Va.

Gail Regina ‘Foxy’ Russ,
Milford native
Gail Regina “Foxy” Russ, 43, of Dover, formerly of Milford, died Wednesday, Oct. 19, 2005, in Bayhealth-Kent General Hospital, Dover.
Ms. Russ was born Aug. 6, 1962, in Milford, daughter of the late Naomi Campbell and Merrill Russ. She attended Milford public school, graduating in 1982.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her daughter, LeAndra Russ; a twin sister, Gaye Russ; an uncle, Sylvester Campbell; four aunts, Agnes Campbell, Iris Sauls, Helen Short, and Olivia Fullman; and a niece, Shantrell Russ.
She is survived by five sons, Joevon Russ, Justin Russ, and Dion Russ, all of Dover, Demarcus Russ of Felton, and Naymon Russ of Houston; a daughter, Ziondra Russ of Milford; two grandsons, Najir Russ of Lithonia, Ga., and Azmere Scott of Dover; three brothers and a sister-in-law, Charles Russ of Fayetteville, N.C., Sylvester and Ashley Campbell of Lewes, and Mark Russ of Wilmington; 11 sisters, Judy Dromgoole of Garland, Texas, Doris Campbell and Valerie Russ, both of Smyrna, Joelina Campbell and Jackie Russ, both of Dover, Diane Thompson of Willingboro, N.J., Lorraine Russ of Philadelphia, Matrethia “Retie” Campbell and Denice Russ, both of Milford, Bernice Smith of Fayetteville, N.C., and Alfredia Durant of Frederica; three brothers-in-law, Glenn Dromgoole of Garland, Wendell Thompson of Willingboro, and David Durant of Frederica; a sister-in-law, Linda Campbell of Lewes; an aunt, Margaret Evans of Smyrna; a great-aunt, Odessa Warren of Dover; an uncle, Fred Short of Selbyville; a special sister, Romonita Legrand of Milford; three special friends, LaTanya Whaley, Jackie Riddick and James Burton; and a host of special nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
Services were held in the Mount Sinai Tabernacle, Milford. Arrangements by Young’s Funeral Home, Inc., Milford.

Leroy ‘Capt. Gus’ Kuratle,
independent trucker
Leroy “Captain Gus” Kuratle, 79, of Lewes, passed away Tuesday, Oct. 25, 2005, at Harrison Senior Living Center, Georgetown.
He was a member of the Coast Guard, worked for Gulf Oil in Wilmington, chartered the boat Tobe II for 26 years, then became an independent trucker.
He is survived by his wife, Jeanne Kuratle of Lewes; children, Gus Kuratle and wife, Linda, of Wilmington, Debra Huss and husband, Albin, of Lansdale, Pa., Patricia Ehrhart of Plainsboro, N.J., and Tom Smith and wife, Beverly, of Berlin, Md.; and eight grandchildren.
A funeral service will be held at noon, Monday, Oct. 31, at the chapel of the Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Millsboro. Friends may call from 10 to 11 a.m., Monday at the chapel of Melson Funeral Services, Long Neck Road.
The family suggests memorial contributions to Alzheimer Association of Delaware, 2306 Kirkwood Hwy., Wilmington DE 19805.

Dorothy Donovan,
Broadkiln VFW member
Dorothy Donovan, 79, of Milton, passed away Tuesday, oct. 25, 2005, at Bayhealth-Milford Memorial Hospital.
Mrs. Donovan was born in Burlington, N.J., the daughter of the late Herman and Margaret Bridge-Prettyman Goldy.
She was a homemaker and had traveled extensively over the years until her health prevented it. She enjoyed many destinations, especially the three trips she took to Alaska. Mrs. Donovan was a life-member of the Broadkiln VFW Post 6984 Ladies Auxiliary. She enjoyed making lap robes for residents of the Home of the Brave and local senior centers.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Clarence O. Donovan in 1994; a brother, Herman Goldy; and a son-in-law, Bob Dishman.
She is survived by two sons, Jack Donovan of Lincoln and Richard Donovan of Milton; two daughters, Martha McLeod and husband, Elwyn of Madison, Fla. and Shirley Dishman of Milton; six grandchildren, Paula Emory and husband, John, Terry Snyder and husband, Jay, Donna Odom, Michel McLeod, Dennis McLeod and Jessica Donovan; six great-grandchildren, Robbie Emory, Jamie Emory, Casey Odom, Austin Odom, Justin McLeod and Crystal Snyder; and was a surrogate mother to her nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday, Oct. 29, in the chapel of Short Funeral Services, 416 Federal St.,, Milton, where friends may call from 6 to 8 p.m., Friday, Oct. 28. Burial will be in Henlopen Memorial Park, Milton.
The family suggests contributions to VFW Post 6984 Ladies Auxiliary, PO Box 335, Milton DE 19968.

Arnold A. Pfaffenhauser,
U.S.Army master sergeant
MSGT. Ret. Arnold Arthur Pfaffenhauser, 84, who resided with his daughter in Lewes, died at home Wednesday, Oct. 26, 2005.
Mr. Pfaffenhauser had a career of more than 20 years in the U.S. Army retiring in 1963. He had served in the 11th Airborne Division. Following his military service, he had worked as a Supply Supervisor for Firestone in Hopewell, Va., retiring in 1981. He was a Mason with the Powhatan Lodge 124, Petersburg, Va.; a member of the Shriners in Richmond, Va., a lifetime member of the VFW and a member of the 507th Infantry Parachute Association. He was devoted to his loving wife Elli Elizabeth Klaas Pfaffenhauser who passed away in 1995.
He is survived his daughter, Ada Lene Smith and her husband Chester A. Smith Jr. of Lewes; his son, William A. Pfaffenhauser and his wife Deborah Jeanette of Milford; five grandchildren; two brothers Ernie Pfaffenhauser and Leo Hauser and a sister Eloise Mossman, all residing in Colorado.
Friends may call Saturday, Oct. 29, 5-7 p.m., at Parsell Funeral Homes & Crematorium, Atkins-Lodge Chapel, 16961 Kings Highway, Lewes. Graveside services with military honors will be Tuesday, Jan. 17, 2006, 11 a.m., at Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Va.
The family suggests memorial contributions be made to the American Cancer Society, PO Box 163, Salisbury, MD 21803-0163.

Ann Hall Valliant Carvel,
late governor’s wife
Ann Hall Valliant Carvel, 99, of Laurel, died Monday, Oct. 24, 2005, at Nanticoke Memorial Hospital in Seaford.
Born in Church Hill, Md., she was a daughter of the late E. S. and Nellie Hall Valliant.
Mrs. Carvel was a longtime member of St. Philip’s Episcopal Church in Laurel. She was a proud homemaker who was very talented with her handiwork; enjoying needlepoint, embroidery, crewelwork and smocking. The clothing and sweaters she made for her children and grandchildren were special to her. She enjoyed spending time with family and was a Den Mother for the Laurel Cub Scout Pack in the 1940s. She was an accomplished pianist and was fond of the Steinway baby grand piano that was purchased many years ago. She was very active with the American Cancer Society and led the cancer fundraising in Laurel. She and her husband, former Governor of Delaware, Elbert N. Carvel, loved spending time at the family farm on the Chesapeake Bay on Kent Island, always looking forward to the 4th of July celebrations with all of her family at the farm. Her love of photography captured many of these family memories.
She is survived by three daughters, Elizabeth “Betty” Carvel Palmer, and her husband Charles, of Millville, Barbara Carvel Krahn of Newark, and Ann Hall House, and her husband David, of Baltimore, Md.; a son, Edwin Valliant Carvel of San Francisco, Ca.; a brother, James W. Valliant of Centreville, Md.; six grandchildren, Lisa Palmer, Drew Palmer, Daphne Soroka, Brooke Palmer, Dylan Palmer, and Beatrice Saviola-Wheeler; and eight great-grandchildren, Heather, Leslie, and Katelyn Palmer, Phoebe and Desmond Soroka, Lucy Bull, John Parker Valliant Wheeler and Patrick Christian Carvel Wheeler.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband of 72 years, the former governor Elbert N. Carvel; a brother, Edwin Stephens Valliant Jr.; and three sisters, Peggy Foreman, Mildred Valliant and Mary Crowther.
A funeral service will be held at Christ Episcopal Church in Stevensville, Md., Tuesday, Nov. 1, at 10 a.m. The Rev. David Green will officiate
Memorial contributions may be made to: The American Red Cross of the Delmarva Peninsula, P.O. Box 767, Wilmington, DE 19899.
Arrangements are being handled by Short Funeral Home of Laurel.

Ronald J. Simpler,
Rehoboth salesman
Ronald John Simpler, 28, of Millsboro, died suddenly of a thoracic aorta aneurysm as he was leaving work in Rehoboth Beach Saturday, Oct. 22, 2005 . He was pronounced at the Beebe Medical Center in Lewes.
He was born in Washington, D.C. and was a salesman for Kitchen Collections in Rehoboth Beach.
He is survived by his father, with whom he lived, Ronald J. Simpler Sr,; his mother, Mary E. Rutherford; half-brother, John; and half-sister, Kelly.
A memorial service will be held Saturday, Nov. 5, at 11 a.m. at the chapel of Melson Funeral Services on Long Neck road in Long Neck.
Interment will be private.
To help defray the cost of funeral arrangements, the family has suggested in lieu of flowers, donations may be mailed to the funeral home.

10/25/05

Robert L, ‘Bob’ Read Sr.,
electric foreman
Robert Louis “Bob” Read Sr., 49, of New Castle died suddenly Friday, Oct. 21, 2005, in New Castle.
Mr. Read was born Oct. 24, 1955, in Wilmington.
A member of International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 313, he had been employed as a foreman with Furness Electric for eight years.
He loved The Beatles since his youth and was known to family and friends as the group’s greatest fan. He also greatly enjoyed fishing and watching Eagles football games.
Mr. Read was a longtime member of the Terrace Athletic Club and a member of the American Legion, Riverdale/Oak Orchard Post 28.
He was preceded in death by his mother, Shirley Hendrickson Read.
He is survived by a daughter, Stephanie C. Stoeckel of Ellendale; two sons, Robert L. Read Jr. and John Paul Read, both of Milton; his father and stepmother, Henry L. and Annette Read of New Castle; a brother, Michael T. Read of New Castle; two sisters, JoAnn Gentner and Barbara Merganthaler, both of Glasgow; two grandsons, William Robert Stoeckel and Joseph Wayne Stoeckel; five stepbrothers, Luis R. Mercado, Christopher J. Mercado, José Roman Mercado, Edward F. Mercado and Daniel B. Mercado; a stepsister, Christina M. Mercado; and many loved nieces, nephews and special friends.
Friends may call from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 26, in Spicer-Mullikin Funeral Home, 1000 N. Du Pont Pkwy., New Castle.
Services will be 11 a.m., Thursday, Oct. 27,in the funeral home.
Burial will be in Gracelawn Memorial Park, 2220 N. Du Pont Parkway, New Castle.
The family suggests memorial contributions to the American Cancer Society, 92 Read’s Way, Ste. 205, New Castle, DE 19720.

J. Renee Robertson,
Bridgeville resident
J. Renee Robertson, 44, of Bridgeville died Thursday, Oct. 20, 2005, in Nanticoke Memorial Hospital, Seaford.
She was preceded in death by her father, Roland Butschky.
She is survived by her husband, Richard Robertson; two stepchildren, Michele Stickler of Lewes and Stacey Taylor of Seaford; four step-grandchildren, Kaya Elliott, Lindsi Ware, Teague Elliott and Emily Taylor; her mother, Jacqueline Butschky of Baltimore; four brothers, Steven Butschky, Todd Butschky, Richard Butschky and James Butschky, all of Baltimore; and a sister, Diane Culver of Baltimore.
Memorial services will be 11 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 27, in Dublin United Methodist Church, 1528 Whiteford Road, Dublin, Md.
The family suggests memorial contributions to the Lupus Foundation, 100 W. 10th St., Suite 1015, Wilmington, DE 19801; or to the American Cancer Society, 92 Reads Way, Suite 205, New Castle, DE 19720.

Thelma Sewell,
Lewes homemaker
Thelma Sewell, 75, of Lewes, formerly of Newport, died Wednesday, Oct. 19, 2005, at home.
Mrs. Sewell was born June 6, 1930, in Roxborough, Pa., daughter of the late Joseph and Anna Dottier Swartley.
Mrs. Sewell was a talented homemaker and devoted her life to caring for her beloved family.
She is survived by her husband of 57 years, Joseph A. Sewell; two daughters and two sons-in-law, Nancy and Wayne Moyer and Sue and Mike Cipolla, all of New Castle; a brother, Lee “Sonny” Swartley; two sisters and two brothers-in-law, Anne and William Ross and Carole and Joseph Lester, all of Roxborough; six grandchildren, Michele, Christina, Stephanie, Michael, Dominic and Mario; and seven great-grandchildren.
A funeral service will take place at noon Tuesday in Spicer-Mullikin Funeral Home, 121 W. Park Place, Newark, where friends may call one hour earlier.

Burial will be in Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemetery, 2465 Chesapeake City Road, Bear.
Instead of flowers, contributions may be made to the Diabetes Association, 100 W. 10th St., Suite 1002, Wilmington, DE 19801.

Mary Lou Kertiles,
waitress, bartender
Mary Lou Kertiles, 72, of Dover, died Friday, Oct. 21, 2005, in her home.
Mrs. Kertiles was born March 29, 1933, in Newark, daughter of the late Charles Strickland and Beatrice Moore Strickland Hevalow.
She worked as a waitress at the Village Inn and as a bartender at the Olde Towne Pub.
Mrs. Kertiles was a voracious reader and patron of the Dover Public Library, enjoyed doing crossword puzzles, playing cards, watching game shows and was a big history buff.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her stepfather who raised her, Herman Hevalow; her first husband, Thomas Baker Jr.; and a brother, William Strickland.
She is survived by her husband of 35 years, Speros “Buster” Kertiles of Dover; a son, Tom Baker III of Dover; two daughters and a son-in-law, Laurie and Bill Munion of Newark and Julie Rawding of Wilmington; two sisters, Emily Wilson of Lewes and Janet Wilson of San Diego; three grandchildren, Amy Hufnell, Steven Rawding and Jeremy Rawding; and two great-grandchildren, Mason Hufnell and Alexis Rawding.
Services were held in Torbert Funeral Chapel, 61 S. Bradford St., Dover.
Burial was be private.
Contributions are suggested to a charity of choice.

Richard M. VanSickle,
retired truck driver
Richard M. “Popsicle” VanSickle, 82, of Georgetown, died Monday, Oct. 17, 2005, in his home.
Mr. VanSickle was born in Manasquan, N.J., son of the late George and Helen (Applegate) VanSickle.
He was a veteran of the U.S. Marines, serving during World War II.
He was an over the road truck driver, retiring in 1996.
Mr. VanSickle enjoyed gardening, reading and coin collecting.
He is survived by two daughters and two sons-in-law, Barbara and Joseph Campbell of Bridgeville and Rebecca and Gilbert Calhoun of Milford; a son, John VanSickle of Lincoln; four grandchildren, Jodi Campbell, Emily VanSickle, Scott Calhoun and Cory Calhoun; a great-grandson, Joshua Dean Calhoun; and two brothers, George VanSickle and Rod VanSickle, both of New Jersey.
Services were private.
Contributions are suggested to the American Cancer Society, PO Box 163, Salisbury, MD 21803-0163.
Arrangements by Short Funeral Services, Georgetown.

Mildred Lee Colton,
Sears distribution clerk
Mildred Lee Colton, 74, of Newport, passed away peacefully on Oct. 20, 2005 at home, surrounded by her loving family.
She was a distribution clerk for the Sears Fashion Center, retiring in 1989. Mildred’s life was her family and she will be sadly missed by all who loved her.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Joseph Colton, who passed away in 1987.
Mildred is survived by her daughters, Sheila Tiberi and her husband, Michael, of Wilmington and Carol Colton of Dover; her brother, Wilbur Milligan of Elsmere; sisters, Jean Outten of Salisbury, Md. and Velma Ferguson of Lewes; grandchildren, Joseph Carrow, Dina Tiberi, Jason Miller and Katie Miller; and her great grandson, Joseph A. Carrow, the apple of her eye. She is also survived by her beloved dogs, Abby, BooBoo and Maggie.
Services were held in the chapel of Gracelawn Memorial Park, DuPont Highway, New Castle,. Interment was in the adjoining memorial park.

Contributions are suggested to Delaware Hospice, 3515 Silverside Road, Wilmington, DE 19810; or to the Delaware Humane Association, 701 A Street, Wilmington, DE 19801.

Cmdr. Cecil Holstrom,
aviation retiree
Retired Navy Commander Cecil Carl Liljenstein Holstrom, 89, of Rehoboth Beach, died Tuesday,Oct. 18, 2005 at the Snow Hill Nursing Home after a long illness.
Cmdr. Holstrom was born in New London, Conn. and graduated from the Bulkeley School there. He received his BA from Middlebury College where he was a member of the football team and Kappa Delta Rho Fraternity. He received his masters of science degree in Physics from Haverford College.
Mr. Holstrom was on active duty in the U.S. Navy from 1941-1946 and remained in the Naval Reserves for 35 years, retiring as a Commander. He worked for the Department of the Navy in the Naval Air Systems Command as a civilian in Washington, D.C. for 31 years and was involved in the development of missile and anti-submarine warfare aviation electronics.
He lived in Riverdale and Seabrook, Md. for 32 years and was a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church. He moved to Riva, Md. in 1976 where his first wife, Grace Holstrom, died in 1985. He had been an active member of St. Martin’s Lutheran Church in Annapolis and served as an assistant chaplain at the Lutheran Mission Society in Annapolis. He also volunteered at the Lighthouse Shelter in Annapolis from its inception. He was an avid Navy football fan and attended all home games until he moved to Rehoboth Beach, in 1999. There he was an active member of The Lutheran Church of Our Savior and served as a greeter, a crafter, and a member of the men’s weekly Bible study.
Surviving are his wife of 14 years, Kathy Shinn Holstrom; a daughter, Lynn Dolinger, and her husband Colin, of Lansdale, Pa.; a son, Kenneth Holstrom, and his former wife Cathy, of Annapolis, Md.; a grandson, Ian Holstrom; three granddaughters, Allison Holstrom, Laura Dolinger Few, and Amy Dolinger; and a great-grandson, Grayson Dolinger Few; as well as two stepdaughters, Wendy Duckett and Jeanne Noblitt; four stepgrandchildren, Karen Noblitt-Turell, Jeremy Noblitt, Dylan Duckett and Georgia Louise Duckett; and one stepgreat-grandchild, Sierra Noblitt-Turell. Also surviving are three sisters, Alice Davis of Enfield, Conn.; Geraldine Roberts of Hendersonville, N.C.; and Lucie MacArthur of Groton, Conn.
A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday, Oct. 29, at the Lutheran Church of Our Savior, Bay Vista Road, Rehoboth Beach.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Building Fund at the Lutheran Church of Our Savior, 7 Bay Vista Road, Rehoboth Beach, DE 19971. Arrangements by Parsell Funeral Homes & Crematorium, Atkins-Lodge Chapel, 16961 Kings Highway, Lewes.

Paul Hanyok,
retired engineer
Paul Hanyok, 75, of Lewes, and formerly of Beltsville, Md., died Saturday, Oct. 22, 2005, at Beebe Medical Center in Lewes.
He was born May 24, 1930, in Harrisburg, Pa., the son of the late Michael and Pauline Kablish Hanyok.
Mr. Hanyok had worked as a quality control engineer in the aerospace industry retiring from Bechtel Power Company in Gaithersburg, Md. He had also worked for the former Fairchild Industries in Germantown, Md. He was a veteran of the U.S. Navy.
He is survived by his wife Rosemary Wesley Hanyok; two daughters and sons-in-law, Patricia Avery and her husband, Tom, and Linda Brammer and her husband, Jesse, all of Lewes; a son, Paul M. Hanyok of Frederick, Md.; a daughter-in-law, Julia Hanyok of Cambridge, Md.; 10 grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; a sister, Irene Janasko of Silver Spring, Md.; and a brother, Francis Hanyok of Ocean Pines, Md.
Arrangements are being handled by Parsell Funeral Homes & Crematorium, Atkins-Lodge Chapel, 16961 Kings Highway, Lewes, where the family will receive friends Tuesday, Oct. 25, from 7-9 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Wednesday, Oct. 26, at 11 a.m., at St. Jude The Apostle Church, Rt. 1 north of Five Points. Fr. Jim Hreha will be officiating. A graveside service will be held Thursday, Oct. 27, at 11 a.m., at Gate of Heaven Cemetery in Dagsboro.
The family suggests memorial contributions be made to the American Diabetes Association, Community Service Building, Wilmington, DE 19801.

10/21/05

Helen Messick,
Auxiliary president
Helen (Conaway) Messick, 76, of Rehoboth Beach, passed away Tuesday, Oct. 18, 2005, after a short illness, at home where she was attended by her family.
Mrs. Messick was born Aug. 23, 1929, in Georgetown, daughter of Elsie (Baker) and Everette Conaway.
She was a graduate of Georgetown High School and Goldey-Beacom College.
She worked as a stenographer for the DuPont Company in Seaford until becoming a homemaker and raising her family. She was a member and charter president of Unit 5 American Legion Auxiliary, Henlopen Post 5 in Rehoboth Beach.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a daughter, Nancy Lee, in 1971.
She is survived by her husband of 49 years, Richard Messick; a son, Richard W. and his wife Lynda Messick; and two grandchildren, Will and Samantha, all of Georgetown.

Funeral services were held at Parsell Funeral Homes & Crematorium, Lewes, with burial in Epworth Methodist Cemetery, Rehoboth Beach.
Contributions are suggested to the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 163, Salisbury, MD 21803.

Marguerite B. Carey,
retired teacher
Marguerite Bounds Carey, 89, of Milton passed away Saturday, Oct. 15, 2005, in Harbor Healthcare, Lewes, after a short illness.
Mrs. Carey was born June 13, 1916, in Selbyville, daughter of the late Ella and Stephen Rickards.
She was a graduate of Temple University with a bachelor’s degree in elementary education.
She had been a teacher for many years. During her first teaching position in Laurel, she met the love of her life, her husband, James W. Bounds, who preceded her in death in 1970. She was later married to Howard Carey, who also preceded her in death. She was proud of being a teacher to many students, first in music, then, for many years, as a second-grade teacher in the Milton schools.
Mrs. Carey loved playing the piano and singing and decorating her charming home, which was her castle, and she was known for her trademark hair bows.
She is survived by a daughter and a son-in-law, artist Pamella Bounds-Seemans and Jeffrey Seemans of Wilmington; a granddaughter, Misty Autumn Seemans; twin grandsons, Sterling Hunter Seemans and Jordan Windsor Seemans; and her faithful friends, Ann and Paul Hudson of Harbeson.
Services will be 10 a.m., Friday, Oct. 21, in Short Funeral Home, 416 Federal St., Milton. Burial will be in Henlopen Park, Route 1, Milton.

Mildred E. Wertz,
Edgehill retiree
Mildred E. “Millie” Wertz, 86, passed away quietly Tuesday, Oct. 18, 2005. Millie was born March 19, 1920, in Keyser, W.Va. She was employed by Edgehill Pharmacy for 29 years before retiring. She was a lifelong member of Midway Assembly of God, where she was active in Sunday School. Millie loved spending time with her children and grandchildren, reading and shopping.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Samuel E. Wertz; her son, Gary S. Wertz; and her grandson, David Wertz.
She will be sadly missed by her son and daughter-in-law, Michael L. Wertz and Charlotte Wertz of Morgantown, W.Va.; her son and daughter-in-law, Greg and Jean Wertz of Seaford; and her daughter, Colyn R. Wertz of Lewes. She will also be sadly missed by her seven grandchildren, Carrie J. Warrington, Jeffrey M. Wertz, Jane A. Boylen, Rebecca A. Wertz, Katelyn L. Wertz, Susan Gleason and Gary S. Wertz Jr.; her 12 great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday, Oct. 22, in Melson Funeral Services, Long Neck Road, where friends may call at 10 a.m. The Rev. Gary Ross, pastor of Midway Assembly of God will officiate. Burial will be private at a later date.

10/18/05

Margo Redefer Vaughn,
Cape Region matriarch
Margo Redefer Vaughn, 69, long time resident of Rehoboth Beach, passed away at home Saturday, Oct. 15, 2005.
Margo was born August 16, 1936.
She is survived by her beloved husband, David A. Vaughn, whom she married Sept. 8, 1956. Margo, Dave and family recently celebrated their 49th wedding anniversary on a cruise to Bermuda.
Margo is also survived by her seven children: Honore Buckley of Peekskill, N.Y., Nickie Wilson of Beavercreek, Oh., David Vaughn Jr., of Hollis, N.H., Greg Vaughn of Springfield, Va., Marcy Kmetz of Laurel, Laura Dumouchelle of Ashburn, Va., and Karen Cornfeld of Severna Park, Md. Other survivors include Jack Redefer, Margo’s brother; 16 grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews. She was pre-deceased by her parents, Ethel and Jack Redefer; and her sister, Janet Redefer Judge.
In addition to being the matriarch of a large family, Margo was a life-long active member of the Catholic Church, including graduating from the Northern Virginia Education for Parish Service. Previously, Margo graduated from Wilmington’s Ursuline Academy in 1954. For many years, Margo was a key member and secretary on the Rehoboth by the Sea Realty Board of Directors. She invested significant energy into Southern Delaware’s Academy of Life Long Learning as a student and later as an instructor.
A Memorial Mass will be celebrated Friday, Oct. 21, 11 a.m., at St. Jude The Apostle Church, Rt. 1 at Five Points, Lewes. Friends may visit with the family at the church one hour prior to Mass.
Memorial contributions are suggested to Casa San Francisco, P.O. Box 38, 127 Broad Street, Milton, DE 19968 or to the American Cancer Society, PO Box 163, Salisbury, MD.
Arrangements are being handled by Parsell Funeral Homes & Crematorium, Atkins-Lodge Chape, Lewes.

Gladys E. Warrington,
auto racing fan
Gladys Ellis Warrington, 78, of Waverly, Fla., died Sunday, Oct.16, 2005, at her residence. Mrs. Warrington was born Oct. 18, 1926 in Bridgeville, to the late Dennison and Bertha Parsons Ellis.
Mrs. Warrington was an auto racing fan. She also enjoyed traveling, taking care of her stables and her home. She collected all types of antiques.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Francis Warrington Jr. in 1996; and her son, Stephen Cosbey in 1992.
She is survived by three daughters, Louise Short of Waverly, Virginia Bishop of Pittsburgh, Pa., and Lynn Goff of Laurel; two sons, Francis "Butch" Warrington III of Lewes, and Sonny Warrington of Seaford; 13 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; and her sister, Hilda Russell of Bridgeville.
Funeral services will be held Thursday, Oct. 29, 2 p.m., at Parsell Funeral Homes & Crematorium, 16961 Kings Highway, Lewes, where the family will receive friends one hour prior to the service. The Rev. Keith Offen will be officiating. Interment will follow at Bethel Methodist Cemetery in Lewes.
The family suggests contributions be made to Good Shephard Hospice, 105 Arneson Avenue, Auburndale, FL 33823.

Linus Schlitter,
retired from Townsends
Linus Schlitter, 69, of Millsboro and formerly of Dagsboro and Milton, died Sunday, Oct. 16, 2005, at home.
Mr. Schlitter was born in Ness City, Kan., Oct. 1, 1936, to the late John and Catherine Diehl Schlitter. He worked at Townsends, Inc. in Millsboro for 34 years, retiring in 1990. He loved to bowl and play golf.
He is survived by his wife of 37 years, Ada Marie West Schlitter; two brothers, Tony J. Schlitter and his wife, Loretta, of Milton, and Frank Schlitter and his wife, Joanne, of Cary, N.C.; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by four brothers and seven sisters.
Services will be held at 2 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 22, at Watson Funeral Home, 211 Washington St., where friends may call after 1 p.m. Pastor Cathy Bernard and Pastor Joseph Bernard will officiate.
Burial will be in Millsboro Cemetery.

Mildred G, Reid,
Sussex homemaker
Mildred G. Reid, 74, of Harbeson, formerly of North Forestville, Md., passed away at her home Monday, Oct. 17, 2005.
Born in Camden, N.J., the daughter of the late Domonic and Gertrude Cardellia, she was a member of the Sussex Central Seventh Day Adventist Church in Georgetown and was a homemaker.
She is survived by her husband, Charles J. Reid; sons, Charles J. Reid, II of Stewartstown, Pa., Warren L. Reid of Harbeson, Robert J. Reid at home; a daughter, Taylor A. Reid at home; a brother, Domonic Cardellia and wife Lucille of Maple Shade, N.J.; brother-in-law, Peter M. Reid and wife Kay of Stevensville, Md.; sister-in-law, Elaine Cardella of Maple shade, N,J.; and six grandchildren, Taylor, Cassandra, Danielle, Bridget, Millie and Faith.
A funeral service will be held Wednesday, Oct. 19, at noon at the chapel of Melson Funeral Services on Long Neck Road, where friends may call after 11 a.m. Interment will be in Henlopen Memorial Park near Milton.
The family suggests memorial contributions to, Sussex Central Seventh Day Adventist, Building Fund, 22514 Gravel Hill Rd, Georgetown, DE. 19947.

Ormond L. Andrew Jr.,
inn assistant manager
Ormond L. “Bud” Andrew Jr. died of a heart attack Wednesday Oct. 12, 2005 at Beebe Medical Center in Lewes. He resided at Paynter’s Mill in Milton.
Mr. Andrew was born and raised in Denton, Md. and graduated from Washington College in Chestertown, Md. where he received the George Washington Medal in 1963. Mr. Andrew also attended the Peabody Institute of Music at Johns Hopkins University and later received a masters degree in Music from the University of Maryland at College Park.
Professionally, Mr. Andrew served as the director of admissions for Washington College and as assistant director of admissions for the George Washington University in Washington, D.C. He was also the assistant manager of the New Devon Inn in Lewes, and had held various positions in the cruise travel industry. He retired in the mid 1990s.
Mr. Andrew was a member of the American Federation of Musicians, as well as the American Guild of Organists of Southern Delaware.
Mr. Andrew moved to Lewes in 1988 and had recently begun spending the winter months in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.
He is survived by his partner of 30 years, Blair Crownover; cousins, Margaret Anne Schockley, her children and grandchildren; Paul Dukes and his children and grandchildren; and cousins Doris Brown and Sharon Cortese.
Services will be held at 11 a.m., Monday Oct. 24, at St. George’s Chapel near Lewes, located on Beaver Dam Road (Delaware Rt. 23), 5.5. miles from Five Points.
Contributions may be made to Washington College, Chestertown, Md. and to the Human Rights Campaign in Washington, D.C.
Arrangements by Parsell Funeral Homes and Crematorium, Atkins-Lodge Chapel, 16961 Kings Highway, Lewes, DE .

Charles T. Ray,
circuit board developer
Charles Thomas Ray, 75, of Milton, died Thursday, Oct 13, 2005, in his home surrounded by his family.
Mr. Ray was born Dec 26, 1929 in Melrose, Mass., the son of the late Ralph and Eunice Ray.
He is survived by his loving wife and best friend Cynthia Hilton Ray; four children, Charlene, Barbara, Charles A. and Donna; 16 grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.
During a distinguished career of 45 years, he worked at MIT with the team developing the first printed circuit boards. He served in the Coast Guard during the Korean War and was awarded the Queen of England’s pin for his advancements in the manufacturing of printed circuit boards. He retired from Orbital Science (formally Fairchild Industries) in 1991. Upon retirement he enjoyed traveling the United States for seven years with his wife Cindy in their motor home. They settled in Milton in 2000.
He was a devoted husband and father who gave all he had to the people in his life – a truly great man who will always be missed and never forgotten.
Services will be private. Arrangements by Parsell Funeral Homes & Crematorium, Atkins-Lodge Chapel, Lewes.

Thomas W. Bush,
retired farmer
Thomas W. Bush, 84, of Lewes, died Friday, Oct. 14, 2005, at home.
Mr. Bush was born in Millsboro, son of the late Charles H. and Clara (Bryan) Bush.
He was a farmer his entire life, most recently with Townsend’s of Georgetown, for approximately 20 years. He was a member of the Rehoboth Presbyterian Church of Midway. Mr. Bush was an avid gardener and fisherman, a very caring person and was devoted to his family. He had served in the U. S. Army during World War II.
He was preceded in death by his daughter, Julia Ann Pavalis in 1978, and a brother, Charles Bush, in 2005.
Mr. Bush is survived by his wife of 62 years, Grace R. (Sockriter) Bush; a daughter, Patricia (Bush) McNatt of Smyrna; two sons, Thomas D. Bush of Lewes and Virgil Bush of Spanoway, Wash.; two brothers, Leroy Bush of Lewes and Howard Bush of Georgetown; seven grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.
Services will be held at 2 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 18, at Atkins-Lodge Chapel, Parsell Funeral Homes & Crematorium, 16961 Kings Highway, Lewes, with Chaplain Mel Kirk of Compassionate Care Hospice officiating. Friends may call one hour prior to the service. Interment will follow at Henlopen Memorial Park, Route 1, near Milton.
Contributions are suggested to the Gull House, 38149 Terrace Road, Rehoboth Beach, DE 19971.

Galen L. Hershey,
retired from AMP Inc.
Galen L. Hershey, 81, of Rehoboth Beach and formerly of Lancaster, Pa., died Wednesday, Oct. 12, 2005.
Mr. Hershey was born in Mountville, Pa., the son of the late Stoner and Bertha Shaw Hershey.
He retired from AMP Inc. as a tool and die maker. He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II as a machinist’s mate first class aboard the USS Stembel.
He was a charter member of Community United Methodist Church, Lancaster, and a member of the USS Kidd Association Destroyer Squadron.
He was preceded in death by a brother, Gerald Hershey, and a grandson, Justin Mitchell.
He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Betty J. Price Hershey; two daughters, Cindy Harper and her husband Thomas Jr. of Leesburg, Va., and Gail Mitchell and her husband Steven of New Providence, Pa.; five grandchildren, Thomas J. Harper III of Pittsburgh, Pa., Brandon Mitchell of Richmond, Va., Lindsay Zacharda and her husband Jamie of Selinsgrove, Pa., Kristin Mitchell of White Marsh, Md. and Jaclyn Harper of Charlotte, N.C.
A Life Celebration was held at the funeral home of Fred F. Goff, Lancaster, Pa., with burial private.
Contributions are suggested to the American Cancer Society, 314 Good Drive, Lancaster, PA 17603-9983.

Helen Marie Chandler,
retired from Stockley
Helen Marie Chandler, 69, of Laurel and formerly of Hub Court in Millsboro, died Thursday, Oct. 13, 2005, at Beebe Medical Center, Lewes.
Mrs. Chandler was born Nov. 29, 1935 in High Point, N.C., to the late Earmon and Estelle Poore Harris.
She worked at Stockley Center in Georgetown as a member of the direct care staff, retiring in 1987 after 23 years.
She attended the Bethel Tabernacle Church of God, Clarksville and the Church of God of Prophecy, Berlin, Md.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Preston Lee Chandler.
She is survived by two sons, Preston Lee Chandler Jr. of Selbyville and James A. Chandler of Laurel; a daughter, Sandra L. Hickman of Millsboro; a brother, Carl Harris of Atlanta; seven grandchildren, Isaac Chandler, Janet Chandler, Wanda Chandler, Amy Hickman, Keith Hickman Jr., Trina Chandler and James Chandler Jr.; and 10 children.
Services and burial were private.
The family requests that in order to assist with medical expenses, memorial contributions be sent to Preston L. Chandler Jr., c/o Watson Funeral Home, P.O. Box 125, Millsboro DE 19966.
Arrangements by Watson Funeral Home, Millsboro.

Joseph P. Casey,
culinary student
Joseph P. Casey, 25, of Folcroft, formerly of Sussex County, died suddenly Friday, Oct. 14, 2005, in his home.
Mr. Casey was born in Philadelphia, son of Patrick McHugh of Folcroft and Kellianne Casey of Seaford.
He graduated from Sussex Technical High School in Georgetown, in 1998. He was currently enrolled at The Art Institute of Philadelphia in the culinary program.
Mr. Casey had previously been a cook for the Methodist Manor House in Seaford. He loved to draw, play basketball, loved the beach and was very interested in sharks, loved music and playing pool.
Mr. Casey was a past member of the Seaford Loyal Order of the Moose, Lodge 1728 and was sometimes called the Mayor of Pot-Nets.
He was preceded in death by his maternal grandmother, Catherine Malloy Casey.
He is survived by his father, Patrick McHugh of Folcroft; his mother, Kellianne Casey of Seaford; his fiancéÈ, Tasha Hammond of Millsboro; his paternal grandmother, Bernadette Lojewski of Folcroft; a brother, Scott McHugh of Seaford; and a sister, Erin McHugh of Seaford.
Funeral Mass will be 11 a.m., Wednesday, Oct. 19, in the Notre Dame de Lourdes Church, Michigan and Fairview roads, Swarthmore, where friends may call two hours earlier.
Burial will be private.
The family suggests donations to the funeral home to help offset expenses or to the Folcroft Fire and Ambulance Co., P.O. Box 196, Folcroft PA 19032.
Arrangements by Cavanagh Family Funeral Homes, Norwood.

Ralph E. Fenimore,
helicopter aviator
Ralph E. Fenimore, 77, of South Bethany Beach, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his loving family, Sunday, Oct. 16, 2005.
Mr. Fenimore graduated from Upper Darby High School in 1946. He enlisted in the Army and was a veteran of World War II. He later enlisted in the Naval Reserve as a member of the newly commissioned helicopter squadron in Willow Grove, Pa. He married Louise M. Newland in 1951 and started his aviation career at Piasekci, which later became Boeing Vertol.
In 1959 he moved to New Castle where he worked at Atlantic Aviation Corporation, retiring in 1990 after 31 years as manager of modification. He then moved to Bethany Beach where he enjoyed playing golf. He was a social member of the VFW Post in Ocean View and active with St. Ann’s Catholic Church men’s club. He was also a Meals on Wheels volunteer. Ralph was a loving and generous man and wonderful husband and father.
Besides his wife, he is survived by four sons, Ralph and wife, Patricia, of Middletown, Mark and wife, Cathy, of Newark, Paul of Wilmington and Peter and wife, Betty, of Lewes; nine grandchildren, Deanna, Candace, Dustin, Ryan, Brandon, Aaron, Ben, Paul and Shane; and three great-grandchildren.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 10:30 a.m., Thursday, Oct. 20, at St. Ann’s Catholic Church, Bethany Beach. Burial will be in the Delaware Veterans Cemetery South, Millsboro.
Memorial contributions are suggested to Delaware Hospice, Southern Division, 600 N. DuPont Hwy., Georgetown DE 19947.
Arrangements by Melson Funeral Services, Ocean View.