04/18/08

~

Miles M. Isaacs,
former ag secretary
Miles Martin Isaacs, 86, passed away Sunday, April 13, 2008, at Harrison Senior Living in Georgetown.
Mr. Isaacs was the son of the late Miles and Clara Gordy Isaacs. He was preceded in death by his sister, Grace Isaacs Messick; and his brother, Delbert Joseph Isaacs.
He was born Feb. 4, 1922, in Georgetown and lived most of his life in Georgetown on his parents’ farm on Route 113. He graduated from Georgetown High School in 1940.
He was a longtime member of Wesley United Methodist Church, where he held several positions including chairman of the board of directors and head of the finance committee.
Mr. Isaacs was a World War II veteran, and he served in the U. S. Army as a sergeant in the military police. During the war, he was stationed in France, Scotland, England and New York City. After he was discharged he attended the University of Delaware, graduating in 1949. He lived in Philadelphia for two years, working for Acme Markets.
He began trimming lettuce in the produce department, soon advancing to administrative assistant to the secretary of the company at the main office in Philadelphia.
However, he resigned that position to return to farming in Georgetown, where he was active in several agricultural organizations.
He became interested in politics and had served as chairman of the Sussex County Democrat Executive Committee. He also served two terms in the Delaware House of Representatives, one as majority leader.
He was appointed commissioner of agriculture by then-Governor Terry and later, when the cabinet was formed, became secretary of agriculture under then-Governor Tribbett.
Other activities included membership in the Veterans of Foreign Wars, past president and life member of the Kiwanis Club, head of Boy Scout Troop 95, and for a short time he was a substitute teacher at Georgetown High School.
For 22 years, Mr. Isaacs was committed to and participated in research studies at the Parkinson’s Disease Research, Education and Clinical Center at the Philadelphia Veterans Medical Center and at the University of Pennsylvania.
In addition, Mr. Isaacs donated his brain to the University of Pennsylvania for further research on neurologic and movement disorders.
He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Susanne Phillips Isaacs; six children and their families, Nancy Clara Isaacs and husband Edward Grifford of Newark, Miles Steven Isaacs and wife Paula (Seramone), also of Newark, Grace Kathryn Isaacs of Elkton, Md., William Delbert Isaacs, Lynne Susanne Isaacs Van Pelt and Thomas Martin Isaacs, all of Georgetown.
He is also survived by six grandchildren, Barry Isaacs and wife Beth (Cool) of Middletown, Mia Susanne Grifford of Wilmington, Edward Noah and Natalie Clara Grifford of Newark, Robert Martin and Kathryn Rose Van Pelt of Georgetown.
Mr. Isaacs was cremated, and a memorial service will be held at 2 p.m., Tuesday, April 22, at Wesley U.M. Church in Georgetown.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in honor of Mr. Isaacs can be made to Wesley U.M. Church, 102 E. Laurel St., Georgetown, DE 19947.

~

Elsie M. Parker,
retired sales clerk
Elsie M. Parker, 88, of Milford, passed away Tuesday, April 15, 2008, at Milford Memorial Hospital.
She was born in Harrington, daughter of the late Luther H. and Anna Marie Hudson Parris. She was a retired sales clerk for Woolworth Department Store in Seaford. Elsie was a member of the Milford Church of Christ, where she was reborn on July 11, 2007. She enjoyed surf fishing, playing board and card games, and liked to win. She was very happy living at the Heritage of Milford assisted living facility.
Along with her parents, she was preceded in death by a son, Benny Parker; her brother, Luther H. Parris; and sister, Anna Whaley.
She is survived by her son, Edgar D. Parker of Florida; her daughter, Melissa A. Short of Milford; a sister, Georgia McKinney of Dewey Beach; four grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.
A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday April 19, at the Milford Church of Christ, 1003 S. DuPont Hwy., where friends may call after 10 a.m. Burial will be in Odd Fellows Cemetery in Seaford.
Flowers are acceptable or donations may be made to Milford Church of Christ, P.O. Box 604, Milford, DE 19963.
Arrangements by Melson Funeral Services of Millsboro.

~

Dorothy B. Nicholson,
centenarian
Dorothy Benhoff Nicholson, 100, of Riva, Md., died Thursday, April 10, 2008, at South River Health and Rehab Center in Edgewater, Md. She had lived in Riva for 41 years and had been a summer resident since 1935.
Born Oct. 14, 1907, in Baltimore, Dorothy was the daughter of the late George and Mary Benhoff. She was preceded in death by her husband of 63 years, Samuel S. Nicholson; and her brother, Howard Benhoff.
Survivors include her sons and daughters-in-law, Robert H. and Jane Nicholson of Lewes, and Samuel G. and Janice Nicholson of Brookeville, Md.; six grandchildren and their spouses, Patricia and Kevin Foster, Pamela and Don Saul, and Mary Leffler, all of Brookeville; Robert and Marie Nicholson of Bear; Amanda Stephens and Carl Wagner of Lewes, and Marjorie and Glenn Turkett of Riva. She is also survived by eight great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandson. Services and burial will be private.

~

Jean C. Mitchell,
Georgetown homemaker
Jean C. Mitchell, 76, of Georgetown, passed away Saturday, April 12, 2008, at Beebe Medical Center in Lewes.
Mrs. Mitchell was born in Philadelphia, Pa. She was a homemaker.
She is survived by her husband, Billy R. Mitchell Sr. of Georgetown; three sons, Earl E. Cook Jr. of Ward, S.C., David Mitchell and his wife Linda also of Ward, and Billy Mitchell Jr. and his wife Donna of Georgetown; three grandchildren, Earl Cook III, Britney Mitchell and Zack Mitchell; and a sister, Louise Hall of Seaford.
Services will be private and at the convenience of the family.

~

Mary T. Connolly,
Eucharistic minister
Mary T. McDonald Connolly, 82, passed away Monday, April 14, 2008. Born in Philadelphia, Pa., Mary was the daughter of James McDonald and Irene Boyne Liebernow. Mary lived in Viera, Fla., with her daughter and was formerly of Dallas, Ga., and Hull, Mass. She had been employed by the Hull School District, Bradlees and Wendy’s, where she was known as Miss Mary. She was a Eucharistic minister of St. Vincent de Paul Church in Dallas.
Mary was predeceased by her husband John; son, Brian; and grandson Joey McNamara.
Mary is survived by her children and their spouses, Mary Nagle and her husband James of Viera, Patricia Henry and her husband Patrick of Rehoboth Beach, Jackie and Geraldine of Hull, Kathleen of Ogunquit, Maine and Naples, Fla., Bridget and Jodie Nudleman of Douglas, Ga., Lorraine and James Carlisle of Dallas, Jeanne of Hanover, Mass., Susan and John Rudnick of Marietta, Ga., and Matthew and Debbie of Avon, Mass.; 17 grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.
A memorial service will be held in Hull this summer with the inurnment of her ashes at Hull Cemetery.
Mary’s family would like to express their great appreciation to the paramedics in Viera, the emergency room staff, the ICU Unit and the Wuesthoff Brevard Hospice unit who cared for Mary at the end.
Contributions may be made to Wuesthoff Brevard Hospice, 8060 Spyglass Hill Road, Melbourne, FL 32940.

~

Robert L. Melson,
decorated Army captain
Robert Lane Melson, 88, of Millsboro, died Saturday, April 12, 2008, in Beebe Medical Center, Lewes.
Born Jan. 16, 1920, in Wilmington, he was the son of the late Oliver Newton and Della Maud Davis Melson.
Mr. Melson was a graduate of Conrad High School and received a degree in civil engineering from the University of Delaware in 1948. He was a World War II veteran, having served in the U.S. Army as a captain. Mr. Melson was a battery commander in the 999th Field Artillery Battalion. He served in five campaigns in the European Theater and was awarded the Bronze Star.
Mr. Melson worked in the oil refinery business with the Pure Oil Co. and in 1955 was employed by Tidewater Oil Company, later known as the Getty Oil Refinery in Delaware City, for 30 years, finally retiring in 1985. He was also instrumental in starting the first oil refinery in Denmark.
He enjoyed many hobbies and activities. He was an avid mineral and fossil collector and was a charter member and past president of the Delaware Mineralogical Society. He belonged to the Delaware Academy of Science and was the founder and first curator of the Iron Hill Natural History Museum. Mr. Melson also enjoyed researching genealogy. Mr. Melson was a member of Newark Historical Society, Lewes Historical Society, Veterans of Foreign Wars, American Legion and the Delaware County Institute of Science. Fishing, boating, crabbing and clamming were happy pastimes for many years. Mr. Melson had an unparalleled zest for life, adventure and the great outdoors. He traveled to many foreign countries and never ceased his endless search for knowledge.
Mr. Melson was predeceased by his mother and father, Oliver and Maud Melson; his wife, Anne Mills Melson; his grandson, Robert Melson Pacinelli; and his brother, Norman Melson.
Survivors include his wife, Jeannie; his daughter, Susan Pacinelli and husband Frank; grandson Kristopher; stepdaughter Sandra Gross and husband Mark; grandson Evan Gross; stepson Clifford Lavender; brother Howard Melson and wife JoAnn; sister-in-law Sallie Melson; brother-in-law George Mills and wife Bonnie; and many nieces and nephews.
Services will be held at 11 a.m., Friday, April 18, at Ebenezer United Methodist Church, 525 Polly Drummond Hill Road, Newark. Visitation will start at 10 a.m.
Memorial donations may be made in memory of Robert L. Melson to the Iron Hill Museum at 1355 Old Baltimore Pike, Newark, DE 19702.

~

Margaret Durkin,
loving matriarch
Margaret Durkin, 74, of Millsboro, beloved wife of Thomas Durkin, died after a two-year battle with metastasized colon cancer, on Tuesday, April 15, 2008.
Born in New Rochelle, N.Y., she dedicated her life to her husband, children, friends and religion. A loving mother and grandmother, she brought joy and laughter to the many lives she touched. Her family and friends will always remember her being the first to hit the dance floor at any party, and her fun-loving nature. Her passing leaves an aching void in the hearts and souls of her devoted husband, children, grandchildren and friends.
Married for 54 years, she is survived by her husband, Thomas Durkin; a brother, Lawrence Hennessy; and six children, Colleen Durkin-Weinel, Thomas Durkin, Mary Beth Durkin, James Durkin, Marty Durkin, Julie Riccardi; and a large extended family.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 11a.m., Friday, April 18, at Mary Mother of Peace in Millsboro. Burial will be at the Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemetery at a later date.
In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorial contributions in Margaret’s memory to Delaware Hospice Center, 100 Patriots Way, Milford, DE 19963; or Tunnell Cancer Center, 18941 John J. Williams Highway, Rehoboth Beach, DE 19971.

~

Lambert A. Weber,
retired insurance agent
Lambert A. Weber, 71, of Millsboro, died Saturday, April 12, 2008, at his home.
Born in Darby on March 3, 1937, he was raised in Collingdale, Pa., and has resided in Millsboro since 2003. He was a former resident of Brookhaven, Pa.
Mr. Weber was a retired insurance agent who had been employed by Metropolitan Life Insurance Company and Prudential Insurance Company for 32 years. Most recently, he was the owner of Lam’s Handyman Services and also loved driving his resort bus in Rehoboth Beach.
Son of the late John and Beatrice Moyer Weber, he is survived by his wife, Judith Specht O’Leary-Weber; one daughter, Melissa Weber of Collingswood, N.J.; two sons, Carl Weber of Lansdowne, Pa., and Stephen Weber of Drexel Hill, Pa.; stepchildren Joseph O’Leary of Concordville, Daniel O’Leary of Tabernacle and Briget O’Leary of Portland, Ore.; six grandchildren; two brothers, Gerard Weber of Millsboro and Bernie Weber of Dover; and his sisters, Theresa Weber of Alabama and Lee Costigan of Havertown, Pa.
The Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m., Friday, April 18, at St. Joseph Church, 500 Woodlawn Ave., Collingdale, where friends may call after 9 a.m. Burial is private.