04/01/08
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William B. Kunz Jr.,
retired educator
William B. Kunz Jr., 82, of Millsboro, died Saturday, March 29, 2008, at the Harbor Healthcare Center in Lewes.
Mr. Kunz was born Aug. 29, 1925, to William B. Kunz Sr., and Agnes Schorr Kunz, in Maplewood, N.J., and lived in Harding Township for 30 years, enjoying summers in Lewes.
Bill was a graduate of both Columbia High School in Maplewood, and Newark (N.J.) State Teacher College. A World War II veteran, he taught at the Gov. Bacon Health Center in Delaware City from 1949 to 1953. In New Jersey, he was the director of the Occupational Training Center of Morris County and coordinator of industrial education at the Ridge High School in Bernards Township, N.J., for 19 years, retiring in 1985.
Mr. Kunz and his wife “Lee,” the former Alyce Lewand, who died in June 1990, moved to the Long Neck area, where they enjoyed a short retirement together. Bill occupied his time with his lifelong skillful use of woodshop tools, crafting items for his many friends and willingly lending his many tools and his expertise in their use.
Bill was very proud of his wife who herself was a special education teacher in the Millburn Township, N.J. school system for many years.
Bill’s sister and only sibling, Agnes, died in 1967. Bill is survived by his brother-in-law, Warren Donaldson Sr.; nephew, Warren Donaldson Jr. ; and niece, Wendy Donaldson, all of Westfield, N.J.
A graveside service will be held at noon, Thursday, April 3, at the Hollywood Memorial Park Cemetery in Union, N.J. Friends may call on Wednesday afternoon from 3 to 4 p.m. at the chapel of Melson Funeral Services on Long Neck Road in Millsboro.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Bill’s memory to the Lewes Public Library, PO Box 356, Lewes, DE 19958; or Delaware Hospice Center, 100 Patriots Way, Milford, DE 19963.
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Margaret “Peg” Conway,
active church member
Margaret “Peg” Conway, 90, of Palm Beach Shores, Fla., formerly of Seaford, passed away Thursday, March 27, 2008.
She was born in Wilmington, to the late Leonard and Mary Waldren. She was a graduate of Ursuline Academy and the Philadelphia School of Art. She was an active member of St. Paul of the Cross Catholic Church, Christ Child Society and the Palm Beach Shores Seasiders Club, of which she was a past president.
She was preceded in death by her husband, John J. “Jack” Conway. Survivors include her son, John L. Conway and his wife Melanie of Ellicott City, Md.; daughters, Leslie Triplett and her husband Bruce of Rehoboth Beach, and Stephanie Brown and her husband Ken of Jupiter, Fla.; seven grandchildren, Chris Conway and his wife Debbie of Leesburg, Va., Lisa Conway Perkins and her husband Steve of Leesburg, Kristen Triplett Greeson and her husband Byron of Liberty, N.C., Sean Triplett and his wife Jessie of Baltimore, Md., Ben Cosgrove and his wife Jacqui of Churchville, Pa., John Brown of Jupiter, and Anne Conway of Ellicott City; and four great-grandchildren, Connor and Braeden Perkins and Wade and Joshua Greeson. Peg is also survived by her sister, Dorothy Waldren Stilwell of Mt. Gilead, N.C.; and sister-in-law, Ceil Conway of Wilmington; as well as many nieces, nephews and numerous friends.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 a.m., Tuesday, April 1, at St. Paul of the Cross Catholic Church, 10970 Highway A1A, North Palm Beach, Fla..
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Peg’s memory to Christ Child Society of the Palm Beaches, c/o Mary Bishop, 14 Amherst Circle, Unit C, Royal Palm Beach, FL 33411.
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Shirley Mae Davis,
Vlasic Foods worker
Shirley Mae Davis, 60, of Millsboro, died Wednesday, March 26, 2008, at Beebe Medical Center, Lewes.
She was born Jan. 5, 1948, Gumboro, to the late Edward and Evelyn Wise Davis.
Shirley worked at Vlasic Foods in Millsboro.
She was a member of the Tabernacle of Praise in Seaford, and enjoyed singing in the church choir. Shirley had a way of making people laugh all the time, adored all of her grandchildren and she played softball in the women’s softball league where she was a good pitcher.
Shirley is survived by three sons, Robert Wise and his wife Vicky of Millsboro, Maurice Gordon Jr. of Millsboro, and Kyan Wise of Salisbury, Md.; two daughters, Deborah Bailey and her companion Danny of Millsboro, and Signora Davis of Salisbury; two brothers, Thomas Wise of Patterson, N.J., and Douglas Hobbs and his wife Ada of Millsboro; two sisters, Charlotte Wise of Asbury Park, N.J., and Sherrmaine Wise of Texas; 13 grandchildren, Rondell, Jervaughn, Jessica, Raheem, Tashiba, Devin, Obrian, Joey, Davon, Kysem, Keenan, Richard, and a special granddaughter, Shirmynee with whom she lived; five great-grandchildren, a special close friend, Carolyn Jackson of Patterson; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts, uncles and all her beloved friends. She was preceded in death by two brothers, Edward and Alex Wise.
Services will be at 1 p.m., Tuesday, April 1, at the St. John’s 2nd Baptist Church, Mt. Joy, near Millsboro, where friends may call after 11 a.m. Pastor Richard Jennings will deliver the eulogy. Interment will be in St. John’s Church Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that contributions be made to offset funeral expenses payable to her daughter, Deborah Bailey, c/o Watson Funeral Home, PO BOX 125, Millsboro, DE 19966.
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Lillian L. Murray,
retired paralegal
Lillian L. Murray, 67, of Millsboro, formerly of Brookhaven, Pa., passed away peacefully surrounded by her loved ones Friday, March 28, 2008. Mrs. Murray was born on Feb. 11, 1941, in Philadelphia, Pa., daughter to the late Walton and Lillian McAnnany Rainey. She retired in 1996 as a paralegal working for the Walter ReDavid law offices in Media, Pa.
In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by her husband, Edward L. Murray in 2001.
She is survived by her children Lillian ReDavid and husband Vince of Wallingford, Pa., Christine Clark and husband Brian of Millsboro, and Joseph Budnik and wife Joni of Boothwyn, Pa.; seven grandchildren, Jason Duffy and fiancé Sarah, Lillian ReDavid, Robert Erickson, Krystal Rose Erickson, Samantha Budnik, Chanelle Budnik and Johanna Budnik. She is also survived by three siblings, Dorothy Kline and her husband William, James Rainey and his wife Meg and Margaret Devlin and her husband Ed.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m., Wednesday, April 2, at Mary Mother of Peace Catholic Church, Millsboro; friends and family may call from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m., Wednesday at the Long Neck Chapel of Melson Funeral Services, Long Neck Road, Millsboro. Interment will follow at the Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Millsboro.
In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorial contributions in Lillian’s name to Delaware Hospice Southern Division, 100 Patriots Way, Milford, DE 19963.
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Earle R. “Bud” Harmer,
Local 542 member
Earle R. “Bud” Harmer, of Milton, joined his beloved Monday March 24, 2008.
Earle was a 32nd degree member of the Nur Temple Shrine for more than 50 years, and a proud member of the Union for Operating Engineers, Local 542.
He was a notorious dealmaker with a love for fast cars, his family and his wife, Ruth.
He was a man who stood behind his word and always helped those who helped themselves. Whatever he did, he did with pride.
Born in Maryland, he spent the bulk of his life in both northern and southern Delaware, and traveled extensively erecting buildings and bridges.
Bud was predeceased by his loving wife, Ruth, in 2003.
He is survived by his two daughters, Erle Harmer and Sherry Harmer; and his grandchildren, Samantha Buford, Richard Harmer Lee and Jamie Kiibler .
He was loved by many and will be greatly missed.
A private celebration of life will be held at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, his family asks that donations be made to Shriners Hospital for Children, 3551 N. Broad St., Philadelphia, PA 19140, Attn: Business Office.
Arrangements by Melson Funeral Services of Long Neck.
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Edward J. Petka Sr.,
fraud investigator
Edward J. Petka Sr., 64, of Rehoboth Beach, and formerly of Wilmington, passed away peacefully at his home on Wednesday, March 26, 2008, surrounded by his family.
Born in Wilmington, Edward was the son of the late Constantine and Anne Czerwinski Petka.
He graduated from Salesianum School in 1960 and served his country in the U.S. Marine Corps. He joined the Delaware State Police in 1966 where he retired in 1986 as a lieutenant. He joined First Chicago National Bank as a fraud investigator and also worked for the Delaware Attorney General as a fraud investigator until 2005. His memberships included the Knights of Columbus in Middletown, the VFW and American Legion Posts in Rehoboth Beach, the Fraternal Order of Police, St. Edmond’s Church in Rehoboth Beach and St. John the Beloved Church in Wilmington.
Edward will be dearly missed by his wife of 43 years, Patricia M. Kirk Petka; three sons, Edward J. Jr. and his wife Calla of Wilmington, James C. of Wilmington and Vincent F. and his wife Debbi of Lewes. Also surviving are his sisters, Betty Ann Lee of Wilmington, Patricia Hammond and her husband Terry of New Castle, and Constance Lindy of Middletown; his brothers and sisters-in-law, Robert and Kay of North Carolina, William and Debbie of Hockessin, and Joseph and Betty of Newport; and seven grandchildren, Eddie, Kyle, Jimmy, David, Jack, Devin and Bella.
Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated at St. John the Beloved Church, Wilmington. Entombment followed at Cathedral Cemetery, Wilmington.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to Delaware Hospice Inc., 911 S. DuPont Highway, Dover, DE 19901.
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Helen Phillips Lowe,
family farm manager
Helen Phillips Lowe, 78, a lifelong resident of Georgetown, died peacefully at home on Thursday morning, March 27, 2008. She was the daughter of the late Howard Martin and Losetta Frances Clendaniel Phillips of Georgetown. Her sister is Nancy Ann Phillips of Georgetown.
Helen is survived by the love of her life, her husband, Ralph Vincent Lowe. Helen and Ralph joyfully shared their 57th wedding anniversary on Dec. 22, 2007.
Helen will be missed by her loving children: her son, Ralph Vincent Lowe Jr., and his wife Faith of Georgetown and grandchildren Melissa, Jordan and Joshua Lowe; her daughter, Denise Elizabeth Burns and companion Barry of Long Neck and grandchildren, Jason and Dustin Burns; and her daughter, Patricia Lowe Deptula and her husband James of Georgetown, and grandchildren Jaime and Jessica Deptula, and Steven and Douglas Taylor. She also leaves behind six beautiful great-grandchildren, Chloe, Zoey, Vivian, Liam, Kara and Julian.
Helen was dedicated to her family above all else and touched their lives deeply with her kind and encouraging way. She will be long remembered as a loving wife, mother and grandmother. She managed the family farm near Georgetown for 26 years. Prior to that, she worked as a salesclerk, a receptionist, a secretary and a telephone operator in Georgetown. A graduate of the class of 1947 from Georgetown High School, Helen took pleasure in attending her class get-togethers. She found great enjoyment in talking with friends, reading, photography, cooking and having family gatherings. She was a member of Wesley United Methodist Church in Georgetown.
Graveside memorial services will be held at 1 p.m., Saturday, April 5, at Union Cemetery, Georgetown. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to Delaware Hospice Southern Division, 100 Patriots Way, Milford, DE 19963.
Arrangements provided by Short Funeral Services of Georgetown.
04/04/08
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Anna Seech,
Pennsylvania native
Anna Barbara Dukovcic Seech, 79, of Ocean View, died Monday, March 31, at her home, after a courageous battle with her illness.
Born on March 18, 1929, in Pittsburgh, Pa., the beloved eldest child of the late Peter and Anna (Lorkovich) Dukovcic, she is survived by her loving and faithful husband of 54 years, Andrew Thomas Seech; their four devoted daughters, Mary Ann Kahl of Rye, N. H., Andrea and husband Thomas Tarantino of Wilmington N. C., Diane and husband James Murtha of Stuttgart Germany, Gabriella Bradham of Seaford; and 12 cherished grandchildren, John, Alex, Andrew and Elizabeth Kahl, Nicholas, Peter and Diane Tarantino, Sean and Stephen Murtha, Casey, Christina and Olivia Bradham.
She is preceded in death by her twin siblings Daniel Dukovcic and Diana Dukovcic Kotun Viner, and is survived by her brothers Albert, Peter, Robert, and Edward and sister Mary Ann Dubots.
Before making her home in Delaware, Barb resided in Aliquippa Pa., and Beltsville, Columbia and Ellicott City, Md., where she worked and shared her talents through sodality, Girl Scouting, garden clubs and other ventures, making lifelong friendships with the many people whose lives she touched. Innumerable people will gratefully remember the events she catered for them.
There will be a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m., Friday, April 4, at St. Anne’s Parish, Route 26, OceanView.
Interment will be at Veteran’s Cemetery, Millsboro, at a later date.
Donations may be made donations to Delaware Hospice, 100 Patriots Way, Milford, DE 19963.
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Vietta Millman,
owned country store
Vietta Ruth Millman, 89, of Milton, passed away Monday, March 31, 2008, in her home, surrounded by her loving family.
She was born in Georgetown on Jan. 8, 1919, to the late Carl and Jenny (Givens) Parker.
Vietta was a homemaker and enjoyed doing needlepoint, crocheting and sewing. She had also worked alongside her husband, for many years, at their Gulf Station and country store at the corner of Routes 1 & 16.
She was a member of Whites Chapel U.M. Church in Milton.
Vietta was preceded in death by her husband of 52 years, Harold C. Millman in 1989; five sisters, Helen, Mary, Olive, Bernice and Dorothy; and three brothers, Roland, Ford and C. Everett.
She is survived by three daughters and their husbands, Doris and Ralph Davis, Karen and James Siegfried, all of Milton, and Meryl and Tommy Tiner of Gardendale, Texas; a son and daughter-in-law, Eugene and Anna Mae Millman, also of Milton; a sister, Margaret Wootten of Millsboro; a brother, R. Alfred Parker of Georgetown; 10 grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.
A funeral service will be held at 2 p.m., Friday, April 4, at Whites Chapel, Coastal Highway, Milton, where friends may call after noon. Burial will be in the adjoining cemetery.
Instead of flowers the family suggests contributions be made to Whites Chapel Church, c/o Shirley Millman, 32149 Oak Drive, Lewes, DE 19958 or Delaware Hospice, 100 Patriots Way, Milford, DE 19963.
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Nancy J. Harrison,
reading specialist
Nancy J. (Thompson) Harrison, born March 23, 1933, passed away on Monday, March 31, 2008 at her home in Rehoboth Beach, in the company of her family.
She was born in Salisbury, Md., daughter of Emma Thompson Henry and Henry Dillon Thompson.
She graduated from P.S. DuPont High School in 1950, Salisbury University in 1954, and received her master’s degree in reading education from the University of Delaware in 1972. Accepting a position as a reading instructor, and eventually as a reading specialist, she aided hundreds of students in learning basic skills in her 19 years at Pierce Middle School in the West Chester, Pa. school district.
Nancy was a lifelong member of the DAR (Daughters of the American Revolution) and was currently a member of the Colonel David Hall chapter in Lewes.
She was an avid reader, she loved going to the beach and her doll house.
She was dearly loved and will be remembered most for her unconditional love, amazing sense of humor and her extreme courage and bravery as she battled Parkinson’s disease.
She is survived by her husband, W. Stewart Harrison; two sons, Thomas Harrison and his wife Katie of Wilmington and Gregory Harrison of Elkton, Md.; her daughter Suzanne Harrison of Clarksville; her grandchildren, Cerise Smith, James Harrison and Caitlin Harrison; and a great-granddaughter, Samara Smith.
A memorial service and entombment will be held at 1 p.m., Monday, April 7, at Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemetery Chapel, 26669 Patriot’s Way, Millsboro.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions be made to Delaware Hospice, 100 Patriots Way, Milford, DE 19963.
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Barbara Mae Sumlin,
retired secretary
Barbara Mae Sumlin, 69, of Rehoboth Beach, died Monday, April 1, 2008, at home after a brief illness.
Barbara was born May 11, 1938, in Milton, to the late Eric and Ann Stockley Hazzard.
She was a member of Faith United Methodist Church, formerly Mount Pleasant, a past member of United Methodist Women and senior choir, and she served on the worship committee.
Barbara will be remembered for the many homemade desserts she made while working at the Adriatico restaurant as a hostess and waitress.
She was employed by the Cape Henlopen School District as a secretary in the guidance and business office, retiring July 1, 2004, after 34 years of dedicated service.
She is survived by her husband of 45 years, Warren C. “Rick” Sumlin; three sons, Emory Sumlin of Orlando, Fla., Warren C. Sumlin Jr. of Wilmington and Eric C. Sumlin of Harrington; one daughter, Elizabeth B. Allen of Milton; two sisters, Gwendolyn E. Harris of Rehoboth Beach and Willamenia H. Davis of Lincoln; 11 grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.
Services will be at noon, Saturday, April 5, at Faith United Methodist Church, Church Street, Rehoboth Beach, where friends may call two hours prior and from 6 to 8 p.m., Friday, April 4. The Rev. Thomas Johnson will officiate.
Florists may deliver flowers after noon, Friday. Arrangements by Miller Funeral Services.
04/08/08
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Frances Jackson Wheatley Cook
community leader
Frances Jackson Wheatley Cook, 92, died Friday, April 4, 2008, at Punta Gorda, Fla.
Mrs. Cook was born in Charlotte, N.C. In 1931 she moved to Hyattsville, Md., with her family. She was a 1933 graduate of Hyattsville High School.
She was a member of Saint Jerome’s Church in Hyattsville and was active in the Sodality and the Catholic Daughters of America where she served in senior leadership positions on the local and state level.
She was a member of the University Park Women’s Club and the Maryland Federation of Women’s Clubs where she also was involved in leadership and served in executive positions. In the 1960s, she moved to Edgewater, Md. She became active in the creation of the London Town Public House and Gardens at South River. She served in leadership positions with the London Town Federation and continued to serve as a docent at London Town till her health no longer permitted. Her involvement in gardening and in the Public House Gardens led to her interest in Colonial-era herbal medicine and she created a program where she gave lectures to schools and interested organizations about herbal remedies. Her cooking was legendary and some of her recipes are featured on the London Town website.
Mrs. Cook was also active in the Annapolis Inner Wheel, Navy Academy Women’s Club, the Evergreen Club and the Daughters of the American Colonists, Ark and Dove chapter.
In 2001, Mrs. Cook moved to Lewes to be near her sons, Michael A. Wheatley and Stephen Roff, and was in residence at Brandywine Assisted Living before she went to Florida in 2006.
She was preceded in death by her first husband, Albert P. Wheatley, and second husband, Herald T. Cook. Her son, Joseph M. Wheatley, also preceded her in death. She is survived by her children, Albert P. Wheatley of Lubbock, Texas, Michael A. Wheatley of Annapolis, Md., and Lewes, Anne F. Moeller of Laytonsville, Md., and Punta Gorda, and Mary K. Jollett of Punta Gorda. She is also survived by her brother, Thomas A. Jackson, of Machipongo, Va.; 10 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren, and scores of bereaved friends.
Mrs. Cook’s remains, in accord with her instruction, have been donated to the Florida Medical Research Center.
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Kent Noble memorial
set for April 12
Friends of Kent Noble will gather at Oak Grove Motor Court on Rehoboth Avenue at Canal Street in Rehoboth Beach at 1 p.m., Saturday, April 12, rain or shine, to remember and celebrate him and share stories of his life. He passed away Feb. 14, 2008.
A former Rehoboth Beach resident, Kent worked as property manager at Oak Grove for 18 years. He is survived by his sister, KayLani Noble of Falls Church, Va., and her husband, Alfred Savastano. Donations in Kent ’s name may be made to Safe Haven Animal Sanctuary of Sussex County, PO Box 430, Nassau, DE 19969.
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Loretta Mae White,
floral designer
Loretta Mae White, 77, of Millsboro, passed away Saturday, April 5, 2008, at home.
Mrs. White was born May 27, 1930, in Dagsboro, to the late Reuben and Viola Coffin Toomey.
She was a homemaker.
Mrs. White attended the Millsboro Wesleyan Church many years ago. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She loved flowers and gardening, and worked as a floral designer for many years. She enjoyed collecting dishes and was very well known for baking a special chocolate cake that was often copied, but no one except her got it right.
In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by four brothers, Reuben, Everett, Grant, and her twin brother Ralph (Pete) Toomey; and one sister, Agnes Truitt.
Mrs. White is survived by her husband of 57 years, Richard C. White; one son, Chris White and his wife Loriann of Millsboro; two daughters, Cindy Hoban and her husband Bill of Dagsboro, and Cora Parsons and her husband Preston of Dagsboro; one sister, Grace Hilton and her husband Charles of Towson, Md.; five grandchildren, Billy Hoban Jr. and his wife Sarah, Paul Parsons and his wife Meredith, Andy White Parsons, Maggie White and Kit White; three great-grandchildren, Lily May Hoban, Gracie Love Hoban and Tyler West Parsons; and many nieces, nephews, and friends.
Services will be 1 p.m., Thursday, April, 10, at the Watson Funeral Home, 211 S. Washington St., Millsboro, where friends may call at noon.
Pastor Danny Tice will officiate.
Interment will be in the Woodlawn Memorial Park, north of Millsboro.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that contributions be made to Delaware Hospice Center, 100 Patriots Way, Milford, DE 19963.
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