~

Chauncey L. Evans,
railroad retiree
Chauncey L. Evans, 83, of Georgetown, passed away Sunday, Jan. 13, 2008, at Beebe Medical Center in Lewes.
Mr. Evans was born October 28, 1924 in Columbus, Ohio, son of the late Russell and Hazel Giles Evans.
Mr. Evans enjoyed a 30-year career with the Pittsburgh & Ohio Valley Railroad, retiring in 1978 as train master. He served with the U. S. Navy during World War II.
He was a 32nd degree Mason and a member of Franklin Masonic Lodge No. 12, Georgetown. He was Past Sachem of Nanticoke Tribe 21, Improved Order of Red Men and a member of American Legion Post 28. He enjoyed golfing and fishing.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Ida Laverne Evans in 1995; a daughter, Betty Jane Harris; a brother, Russell Evans; and a sister, Geraldine Lueck.
He is survived by two sons, Chauncey “Buddy” Evans III of Georgetown and David Evans of Conway, S.C.; a daughter, Ida Grimsley of Roanoke, Va.; nine grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren; two brothers, Elmer Evans of Pittsburgh, Pa., and Eugene Evans of Milton; and two sisters, Annie Chestnut and Dolores Evans, both of Pittsburgh; and a devoted friend, Katherine Hitchens of Seaford.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m., Thursday, Jan. 17, at Parsell Funeral Homes & Crematorium, Dodd-Carey Chapel, 307 N. Bedford St., Georgetown. Interment will be at Henlopen Memorial Park in Milton with military honors.
The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 7 to 9 p.m., Wednesday, Jan. 16, where Masonic Services will be at 7:30 p.m.

~

Ellen “Louise” Gannon,
active Methodist
Ellen “Louise” Betts-Hemphill-Gannon passed peacefully into the hands of her Lord on Friday Jan. 11, 2008. She was surrounded by the love of her family at the time of her passing. Louise was born to Ellen Parker Matlack and Louder Sapp Betts of Frederica on Jan. 22, 1935.
Louise was greeted by loved ones that had passed before her, and she will be greatly missed by those who remain behind.
Louise was a lifetime member of the Frederica United Methodist Church and active in the Long Neck United Methodist Church. Louise passionately supported various children and veterans’ organizations.
Louise was many things to many people during her life. Louise was a daughter, sister, cousin, niece, aunt, wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend. Her strong spirit, warm heart, compassion, honesty, humor, poetry and love touched us all, many of us deeply.
Louise is survived by her husband of 31 years, Mitchell Robert “Bob” Gannon Jr., of Millsboro; her daughters, Eva Kay Morris, and Theresa Ellen Roberts-Biener and her husband Gregory of Millsboro; her sons, William Joseph Hemphill of Bellingham, Wash., Steven Michael Hemphill and his wife Nicole of Felton, and William Wesley Hemphill II of Millsboro; a brother, Benjamin Betts and his wife Ruth of Frederica; a sister, Naomi Tribbitt of Lincoln; a sister-in-law, Ann Gannon of Millsboro; eleven grandchildren; eleven great-grandchildren; four nieces; eight nephews; and numerous cousins.
A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m., Friday Jan. 18, at the chapel of Melson Funeral Services, 32013 Long Neck Road, Millsboro, where friends may call on Thursday evening from 6 to 8 p.m.
In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorial contributions in Louise’s memory to, Delaware Hospice, Southern Division, 20167 Office Circle, Georgetown, DE 19947; or Tunnell Cancer Center, 18941 John J. Williams Hwy, Rehoboth Beach, DE 19971.

~

Martha Melson,
ran concession stand
Martha E. Maule Melson, 64, of Bridgeville, died Thursday, Jan. 10, 2008, at Nanticoke Memorial Hospital in Seaford.
Mrs. Melson was born in Wilmington, daughter of the late James F. Jr. and Myrtle Bottomley Maule. She had lived in Bridgeville for 41 years. She and her husband had operated a traveling concession stand in Sussex County for 13 years. She enjoyed upholstery, reading, and arts and crafts and was an avid user of her computer. Mrs. Melson enjoyed raising her family and was a loving wife and mother.
In addition to her parents, Mrs. Melson was predeceased by a sister, Marjorie DeFilippis.
She is survived by her husband of 43 years: Donald L. Melson Jr.; three daughters, Donna Smith, Lisa Melson and Rebecca Melson, all of Bridgeville; three sisters and two brothers-in-law, June Davis and her husband Steve, and Myrtle Cooper, all of Wilmington, and Ellen Lynam and her husband Richard of Arizona; two brothers and two sisters-in-law, James F. Maule Jr. and his wife Cathy of Millsboro, and Richard Maule and his wife Meg of Newark; four granddaughters, Amanda McCormick of Fort Stewart, Ga., Samantha Smith, Anna Melson and Courtney Melson, all of Bridgeville; and two great-grandchildren on the way.
A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m., Tuesday, Jan. 15, at Parsell Funeral Homes & Crematorium, Hardesty Chapel, 202 Laws St., Bridgeville, with the Rev. Dale Brown officiating. Friends may call at the funeral home one hour prior to the service.
Interment will be private at Bridgeville Cemetery, Bridgeville.

~

Tom Kearney,
attorney
Tom Kearney, 47, of Lewes, passed away peacefully Monday, Jan. 7, 2008 in Lewes.
He was a graduate of the University of Virginia and earned his law degree from Washington and Lee University.
Mr. Kearney was one of the partners of Abrams and Adams in Milford.
He was an active member of the community and the treasurer of the Moose Lodge in Lewes. Tom had a passion for life and was loved by all.
He was preceded in death by his father, Thomas Kevin Kearney Jr..
Mr. Kearney is survived by his mother, Virginia Kearney of Virginia Beach, Va.; Maggie Kearney of Lewes, Beth Kearney of Virginia Beach, and Jim Kearney of Madison, N.J.
A memorial service will be held at 6 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 19, in the chapel of Short Funeral Services, 416 Federal St., Milton, where friends may call after 4 p.m.
Contributions may be made to Tunnell Cancer Center, c/o Beebe Medical Center, 424 Savannah Road, Lewes, DE 19958.

~

Mildred P. Thomas,
former registered nurse
Mildred E. Peterson Thomas, 64, went to be with the Lord on Saturday, Jan. 5, 2008, in Genesis Nursing Home, Salisbury, Md.
Mildred was born in Colquitt County, Ga., on July 22, 1943, to the late Jefferson Davis and Carrie B. Clanton.
She attended Jason High School and nursing school and became a registered nurse until she sustained a back injury.
Mildred later became an employee of Allen Foods in Hurlock, Md., until she became ill, at which time she was admitted to Genesis Nursing Home.
She was a member of Greater Mount Zion Pentecostal Church in Preston, Md., where Bishop Chester Friend is the pastor.
Mildred was preceded in death by her daughter, Jackie Davis.
She leaves five children to mourn, Wanda Davis of Bridgeville, Orbb Davis Jr. of Bridgeville, Rose M. Bowe and her husband William of Ellendale, Selina O. Davis and her husband Willie of Greenwood, and Mildred Evelyn Davis of Millsboro; 12 grandchildren, Chenevera Felix, Nakeama Clayton and Mus-zak Murray, all of Greenwood, Tylisha of Salisbury, Taccora Richards of Laurel, Orbb Cannon, Marice Cannon of Bridgeville, Kim Cannon of Seaford, Donnel Murry of Denton, Md., Janota Murry of Millsboro, Tharay Davis of Long Neck, and Tomaz Davis of Milford; 28 great-grandchildren; two brothers, John Davis McClenden of Seaford, and Fred Clanton of Bridgeville; three sisters, Joann Clanton of Denton, Shirley Clanton of Seaford, and Theresa Clanton of Bridgeville; one goddaughter, Malinda Hughes of Blades; one godson, Donza Nicholes of Washington; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Funeral services were held in Greater Faith Church, Bridgeville, with burial in Middleford Cemetery, Middleford.

~

Ella E. King,
rose gardener
Ella E. King, 93, of Seaford, formerly of Georgetown, passed away Wednesday, Jan. 9, 2008, in LifeCare at Lofland Park.
Ella was born in Havre de Grace, Md., daughter of the late Scott and Ella Ewing Evans.
She was a nurse’s assistant in the nursery at Nanticoke Memorial Hospital, Seaford, for many years and retired in 1980.
Ella enjoyed rose gardening. She was well known for sharing her beautiful roses with family, friends, neighbors and residents of local nursing homes.
She was a member of Seaford Presbyterian Church.
In addition to her parents, Ella was preceded in death by her husband, Herbert Y. King; two daughters, Amy Carrier and Ellen Pepper; a brother, Samuel Riley Evans; a sister, Hazel Stannert; and a half-brother, Walter Evans.
She is survived by three children, Norris King and Ann Messick, both of Georgetown, and Eunice Lubiniecki of Laurel; seven grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; a great-great-granddaughter; and a half-brother, Floyd Evans of Rehoboth Beach.
It was Ella’s request that services and burial be held privately.
Instead of flowers, contributions in Ella’s memory can be made to the Salvation Army, 204 E. North St., Georgetown, DE 19947.
Arrangements handled by Short Funeral Services, Georgetown.

~

Maurice E. Gladden,
St. Jude handyman
Maurice Edward Gladden, 77, of Lewes, passed away peacefully Wednesday, Jan. 9, 2008, at his residence surrounded by his loved ones.
He was born March 1, 1930 in Baltimore, Md., son of the late Maurice C. and Kathleen Anne Burns Gladden.
Mr. Gladden moved to Delaware 13 years ago from Timonium, Md. He enjoyed a 40-year career with Verizon, retiring in 1988 as an engineer. He continued to consult for Verizon for several years following his retirement. While living in Maryland, he volunteered with the Boy Scouts of America. Since moving to Delaware, he has been a much-needed handyman at St. Jude the Apostle Catholic Church. He loved gardening, woodworking, camping, crabbing and fixing things around the house. Most of all, he enjoyed spending time with and loved his children and grandchildren. He was a devoted and loving husband.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, William “Willie” Gladden; and his stepson, William Cussen. He is survived by his wife of nine years, Patricia Murphy Cussen-Gladden; his son, Maurice Edward Gladden Jr. of Humble, Texas; his daughter, Deborah Gowl and her husband Michael of Humble; a stepson, Patrick James Cussen and his wife Kate of Jacksonville, Fla.; two stepdaughters, Debra Franey of Monticello, Ga., and Ceceilia Shannon of Royal Oak, Md.; 12 grandchildren, Stevie, Dallas and Codie Gowl, Max, Kelly and Tommy Cussen, Justin Shannon, Kristin, Jennifer, Amanda and Matthew Franey, and Rachel Poole; six stepgreat-grandchildren; his brother, John “Jack” T. Gladden and his wife Ruth of Georgetown; and his sister-in-law, Jean Gladden of Parkville, Md.
A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated at St. Jude The Apostle Catholic Church. Interment was private at Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Millsboro. Arrangements by Parsell Funeral Homes & Crematorium, Lewes.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions be made to Delaware Hospice, 20167 Office Circle, Georgetown, DE 19947.