01/29/08

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Alfred A. Hunter Jr.
World War II veteran
Alfred A. Hunter Jr., of Milton, 86, formerly of Delta, Pa., passed away Sunday, Jan. 27, 2008, in his home.
Alfred was born in Baltimore, son of the late Alfred A. Sr. and Frances (Snyder) Hunter.
He was a master mechanic with Bethlehem Steel in Sparrows Point, Md., for 40 years and retired in 1981. Alfred was involved with the research and development of many different machine parts and troubleshooting of a variety of machines. He started with Bethlehem Steel as a machinist apprentice and worked his way through the company in many different capacities. While working with Bethlehem Steel, he unknowingly was manufacturing parts for the military’s LST ships.
Alfred had also developed and taught a four-credit college course in the mechanical engineering and hydraulics area.
While working with Bethlehem Steel he and his family resided in Baltimore, with a summer home in Delta, Pa. Upon retirement, they moved full time to Delta and in 2007 moved to the Harbeson area. Prior to moving to Delaware, he and his wife attended Christ Church in Baltimore.
Alfred was a graduate of Baltimore Polytechnic High School and at the time it ranked the third best high school in the United States.
He was a Navy veteran, serving from 1944 to 1946, and was honorably discharged as a motor machinist’s mate third class.
Alfred loved gardening and photography. He enjoyed grafting rose bushes and azaleas and always loved developing a new rose variety for everyone to enjoy.
Alfred is survived by his wife of 65 years, Helen Adele (Hall) Hunter; two sons and daughters-in-law - Richard L. and Joyce Hunter of Arnold, Md., and Kenneth L. and Mary Beth Hunter of Woodstock, Ga.; four grandchildren - Karen Lloyd and husband Nick, Kirk Hunter and wife Amanda, Melissa Hunter and Stephen Hunter; a great-granddaughter, Jennifer Lloyd; and two sisters - Betty Monaghan, Davenport, Fla., and Edith Higgs, Townson, Md.
A funeral service will be at 9:30 a.m., Thursday, Jan. 31, in the chapel of Short Funeral Services, 416 Federal St., Milton. Burial will immediately follow at Bel Air Memorial Gardens, 809 Rock Spring Road, Bel Air, Md.
Flowers are accepted or contributions can be made to Delaware Hospice, 20167 Office Circle, Georgetown, DE 19947.

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Harry F. Chrisman Jr.
decorated fireman
Harry F. Chrisman Jr., 76, of Bay City, near Millsboro and formerly of Montgomery County, Pa., passed away Friday, Jan. 25, 2008, surrounded by his loving family at Beebe Medical Center in Lewes.
He was a retired transportation coordinator for Montgomery County Intermediate Unit, retiring in 1989. He later worked for Ryder until his retirement. Harry was fireman of the year in 1980 for Trappe Fire Company, where he was a life member and fire policeman for the years of 1979 and 1985. He was a former police officer for Limerick, Collegeville-Trappe and Perkiomen townships. He was a graduate of East Greenville class of 1949 and a former bingo caller for Mariner’s Cove.
Harry was the son of the late Harry and Marian Bradford Chrisman and was also preceded in death by his sisters, Betty and Joan; and a grandson, Tracy. He is survived by his loving wife of 56 years, Norma Bossert Chrisman; two sons and daughters-in-law, Harry F. Chrisman III and his wife Diane; and Joseph P. Chrisman and his wife Valerie; a daughter and son-in-law, Joan Keyser and husband, Robert; a brother, Ronald Chrisman and his wife, Mitzie; five grandchildren, Stephanie, Bradley, Joel, Ashlee and Lisa; three great grandchildren; and a very special friend, Alvin.
Funeral services will be private. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests, contributions be sent to Tunnell Cancer Center, 18941 John J. Williams Hwy, Lewes, DE 19958. Arrangements by Melson Funeral Services of Long Neck.

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Mabel C. Smith,
Milford homemaker
Mabel C. Smith, 97, of Milford, died Sunday, Jan. 27, 2008, in Angola by the Bay, Lewes.
Mrs. Smith was born in Baltimore, Md., the daughter of the late Homer and Gertrude Smith Porter.
She received her degree in education from Towson State Teachers College, Towson, Md. She worked as an elementary school teacher in Baltimore until she met and married her late husband, Alfred E. Smith. She then became a homemaker, caring for her husband and two daughters Ina and June, who were the most important part of her life. In her younger years, Mabel was quite an active tennis player and loved to dance. She also enjoyed keeping up with the latest news, especially if it had to do with her family. She was also a former member of the Milford Century Club. She was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Milford, where she was active up until her husband passed away. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Alfred E. Smith, in 1994.
She is survived by two daughters Ina Carr, of Hampstead, Md. and June C. Fields, of Lewes; five grandchildren, Louis McDermott, Maureen Green, Holly McGrath, Michael Carr and Corrine Berthault; eight great-grandchildren; and devoted friend Cecil Donovan of Lincoln.
Funeral services will be 2 p.m., Tuesday, Jan. 29, at the Lofland Funeral Home, 102 Lakeview Ave., Milford, where friends may call after 1 p.m. Burial will be in Milford Community Cemetery, N. Walnut Street, Milford.

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Shirley Hicks,
Milford hospital retiree
Shirley Augustine Henson Hicks, 72, of Milford, departed this life on Tuesday, Jan. 22, 2008, at home.
She was born Aug. 14, 1935, in Baltimore, to the late Sarah Henson and John Imes.
Shirley received her education in the Baltimore public schools and moved to Milford in 1951.
She worked at the Milford Memorial Hospital, now Bayhealth at Milford Memorial, for more than 20 years until she retired due to health in 1973.
Shirley married George “Pard” Stanley Hicks in 1959 and to their union they were blessed with six children.
She was a member of St. Paul United Methodist Church and Club 13.
She was a faithful mother, grandmother, sister, family member and friend. Shirley was a strong woman with a beautiful spirit and soul whose laughter and joy of life warmed the hearts of everyone who knew and loved her. She was gracious, generous and loyal to her family and friends and even to strangers. Everyone who knew Shirley knew where to find her when “The Price is Right” was on, and just about every afternoon after the bingo van had run. She also enjoyed playing cards.
Her laughter and smile will forever remain in hearts of all who knew.
Shirley was preceded in death by her husband, Pard in 1993; her sister, Carrie Sauls in 1995; her grandson, Micah Davis in 1986; her beloved mother-in-law, Georgie Hicks in 2000; and a daughter-in-law, Cindy Hicks.
Shirley leaves to cherish her memory three sons, three daughters and their spouses, Sharon Henson of Dover, George Stanley Hicks Jr. and wife Beverly of Magnolia, Cynthia Davis and husband George “Leo” of Dover, Brian Hicks and wife Ruth of Harrington, Darryl Hicks of Milford and Eva Cola and husband, Wayne of New Orleans; one sister and one brother, Willie Mae Henson and Richard “Sonny” Davis of Baltimore; seven grandchildren, O’Shell Cooper and husband Jermaine of Middletown, Phillip Hicks, André Henson and Karena’ Davis of Dover, Waneva and Shane Cola of New Orleans, Michael Hicks of Salisbury, Md.; six great-grandchildren; eight brothers- and sisters-in-law, Jesse Sauls of Houston, Joseph “Theo” Hicks and wife Angie of New Mexico, Thelma Hicks of Dover, Wellington “Buddy” Hicks of Lewes, Robert “Bobby” Hicks of Lincoln, and Shirley Riley and husband Harvey Sr. of Dover; beloved cousins, Delores Fort and Neil “Bud” Davis and wife Delores of Milford; a host of loving nieces, nephews, relatives, bingo buddies, hospital associates, Club 13 members and loving friends.
Services were held in St. Paul U. M. Church in Milford. Burial was private.
Instead of flowers, send donations to Cynthia Davis and family, 227 Headstart Lane, Dover, DE 19901.
Arrangements by Bennie Smith Funeral Home, Dover.

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Reginald C. Clarke,
Lewes resident
Reginald C. Clarke, 78, of Lewes, passed away on Wednesday, Jan. 23, 2008, at Harbor Healthcare & Rehab Center in Lewes.
Mr. Clarke was born on July 3, 1929, in Grafton, N.D., son of the late Rev. Robert and Winifred Meyer Clarke.
In addition to his parents, Mr. Clarke was predeceased by two brothers, Bruce R. Clarke and Paul F. Clarke; and a sister, Susan Selb.
He is survived by a sister-in-law, Eldred E. Clarke of Rockville, Md.; four nieces, two nephews, two great-nieces, a great-nephew, a great-great-niece and two great-great-nephews.
Graveside services will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday, Feb. 2, at St. Peter’s Cemetery, Pilottown Road, Lewes, with the Rev. Jeffrey Ross officiating.
Memorial contributions are suggested to Compassionate Care Hospice of the Delmarva Peninsula, 31038 Country Gardens Blvd., Dagsboro, DE 19939. Arrangements by Parsell Funeral Homes & Crematorium, Atkins-Lodge Chapel, Lewes.

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Regine S. Downer,
foster grandparent
Regine Suzanne Downer, 72, of Bonaire passed away Wednesday, Jan. 23, 2008.
Mrs. Downer was born June 21, 1935, in Paris, France.
She was a homemaker and paraprofessional for South Dover Elementary.
Mrs. Downer was an active participant in the foster grandparents program, and was a former resident of Luther Towers in Dover.
She also enjoyed shopping and spending time with friends.
Her husband, Harold M. Downer, preceded her in death.
Survivors include her children, Donald Steven Downer of Gainesville, Fla., Sandra Fujimoto (Richard) of Bonaire and Phillippe Gary Downer of Rehoboth Beach; a sister, Josette Duportail of France; and her grandchildren, Christopher Downer, Justice Downer, Wyatt Fujimoto and Logan Fujimoto.
Services will be private.

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John P. Driscoll,
decorated veteran
John P. Driscoll, 89, of Millsboro, died Thursday, Jan. 24, 2008, at Green Valley Terrace Nursing Home in Millsboro.
Mr. Driscoll was born Oct. 29, 1918, in Germantown, Pa., the son of the late John J. and Gertrude V. Noonan Driscoll.
Mr. Driscoll was retired from the General Electric Appliance Park East in Columbia, Md., after many years of service.
John served for five years in the U.S. Army during World War II assigned to the 36th Corps of Engineers Regiment.
His outfit not only engineered and built bridges for our troops, but they served in the capacity of infantry while they pursued the German Army through North Africa, Sicily, Italy, France and into Germany. Mr. Driscoll’s medals include seven campaign medals, three Bronze Stars, one Silver Star and the Purple Heart for battle wounds received in Anzio, Italy.
He is survived by his sister, Ann C. Driscoll, of Millsboro.
A Mass of Christian Burial was held at Mary Mother of Peace Roman Catholic Church, Millsboro.
Interment with honors was held in the Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Patriot’s Way, Millsboro.

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George W. Chambers Jr.,
Beebe volunteer
George Wilson Chambers Jr., 80, of Milton, passed away peacefully Wednesday, Jan. 23, 2008, at Harrison Senior Living in Georgetown.
He was born January 26, 1927, in Newark, N.J., son of the late George W. and Mabel Allen Chambers.
Mr. Chambers had worked in the sales of industrial cleaning supplies for 35 years in New Jersey for Puritan and Eco Labs. For 35 years he was a member of the Iselin Volunteer Fire Department No. 1, Iselin, N.J.; past president of the JFK Memorial High School Band Parents Association; and for 15 years he was very active as an assistant troop leader for the Boy Scouts of America. He had served with the U.S. Navy during World War II.
After retiring in 1989, he and his wife relocated to Delaware where he served as a Beebe Medical Center volunteer transporter for over 12 years and was a member of Epworth United Methodist Church.
He enjoyed boating and fishing and was a devoted husband, father and grandfather who will be missed by all who knew him.
He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Ann Dickerman Chambers; two sons, Gregory Chambers and his wife Gayle of Clifton Park, N.Y. and Jeffrey Chambers and his wife Elizabeth of Hockessin; four grandchildren; and a sister, Lorraine Koch of Fulshear, Texas.
A memorial service was held Saturday, Jan. 26. Interment will be private at Henlopen Memorial Park, Milton.
Arrangements are being handled by Parsell Funeral Enterprises, Inc., Lewes.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions be made to the Epworth U.M. Church Building Fund, 20 Baltimore Ave., Rehoboth Beach, DE 19971; or to Delaware Hospice, 20167 Office Circle, Georgetown, DE 19947.

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John W. Taylor Sr.,
retired mechanic
John W. Taylor Sr., 84, of Dover, passed on Sunday, Jan. 27, 2008, at home.
He was born Feb. 24, 1923, in Bishopville, Md., to the late Willie and Mable White Taylor.
Mr. Taylor was a retired master mechanic working on gas and diesel engines.
He knew how to work on anything from general automotive repair to specializing in working on International Harvester to working on ship engines when he was in the U.S. Navy.
Jack was a member of the Victory Chapel. He was a U.S. Navy veteran of World War II. He was cofounder of the George Penuel Jr. Chapter 7 of the DAV and he helped cofound several other chapters.
He was a member of the DAV and the VFW in Georgetown. Also, he was certified as a deep-sea diver and a commercial fisherman.
He was preceded in death by a son, William Taylor, on Feb. 4, 2007.
He is survived by his wife of 43 years, Virginia Taylor of Dover; five sons, John W. Taylor Jr., and his wife Pauline of Frederica, Lucky Taylor of Dover, Jerry Taylor of Dagsboro, Clark Payne of Florida, and George Payne and his wife Patty of Georgetown; two daughters, Aurilia Ferguson of California, and Brenda Hopkins and her husband Wallace Jr. of California; three stepdaughters, Jackie, Vickie and Rose; one sister, Hattie Tull of Laurel; 26 grandchildren; and 20 great-grandchildren.
Committal services with honors will be 1 p.m., Wednesday, Jan. 30, at the Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Patriot’s Way, Millsboro.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that contributions be made to Compassionate Care Hospice, 5610 Kirkwood Highway, Wilmington, DE 19808.
Arrangements by Watson Funeral Home, Millsboro, Delaware.