05/02/08
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Helen D. Weldie,
retired teacher
Helen Davis Weldie, 89, of Long Neck, formerly of Wilmington, passed away Tuesday April 29, 2008, at the Harbor Healthcare & Rehabilitation Center in Lewes.
She was born in Galena, Md., daughter of the late James and Asa Davis.
Helen was a graduate of Salisbury State University in Salisbury, Md., and played on their basketball team.
She was an elementary school teacher in the Wilmington area from 1940 to 1979. Helen was a member of the East Gate Presbyterian Church in Long Neck. She was an avid sports fan.
She is survived by her husband of 63 years, Calvin Weldie; three nephews, Bill Craig, David Low, and John Low; two nieces, Ann Llewelyn and Pat Kesmodel; and a brother, Julian Davis.
A funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m., Monday May 5, at the East Gate Presbyterian Church, Long Neck Road, where friends may call after 9:30 a.m. Burial will be in the Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Millsboro.
In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorial contribution in Helen’s memory to East Gate Presbyterian Church, 34806 Church Lane, Millsboro, DE. 19966.
Arrangements by Melson Funeral Services of Long Neck.
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Harrison Posey,
retired manager
Harrison Posey, 88, of Millsboro, formerly of Boothwyn, Pa., died Wednesday, April 30, 2008, at Beebe Medical Center.
He was employed at Sun Oil Co., in Marcus Hook, Pa., for more than 30 years, retiring in management.
He was a U.S. Navy veteran serving in World War II. Mr. Posey was also a member of St. George’s Chapel, Harbeson. He was a Mason with the Concord Lodge in Pennsylvania and also the Nur Temple of Wilmington.
Mr. Posey enjoyed hunting and gardening, especially his tomatoes. He was a kind and generous man whom everyone liked.
He is survived by his wife of 25 years, Yvonne Posey; two sons, Gary Posey of Twin Oaks, Pa., and John Posey and wife Colleen of Wilmington; one daughter, Judith Bixler and husband Vernon of Brookhaven Pa.; one stepson, Steven Caroll of Milton; two step-daughters, Sandra and Jim Sacra of Millerville, Md., and Janice Caroll of Newark; eight grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.
A funeral service will be at 5 p.m., Sunday May 4, at Watson Funeral Home, 211 Washington St. Millsboro, where friends may call from 3 to 5 p.m. Father Max Wolf will officiate.
Contributions may be made to the Delaware Association for the Blind, 800 West St. Wilmington, DE 19801
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Kenneth A. Michelbach,
shop owner, teacher
Kenneth A. Michelbach, 85, of Rehoboth Beach, died April 27, 2008, in Ft. Myers, Fla.
After being honorably discharged from the Navy after World War II, Ken opened a small radio repair shop in Alexandria, Va., while completing his degree in radio engineering at Capitol Institute of Technology. Upon graduation, he continued to expand his shop until it became Ken Michelbach’s Television and Appliances, which he and his wife Mary Elizabeth operated for more than 35 years. Ken always supported the public school system by having vocational students train at his store. This led to his second career as a teacher at T.C. Williams High School in Alexandria, where he taught until he retired at the age of 71. During that time he was honored with numerous awards and created a course for which graduates were given credit in the U.S. Army.
Golf became Ken’s passion while he was still in his 20s. He was a member of The Country Club of Fairfax while a Virginia resident, and was a longtime member of Rehoboth Beach Country Club. He enjoyed golfing and playing bridge with his many friends there in the summer, then heading to Ft. Myers with them in the winter. Ken was predeceased by his wife of 52 years, Mary Elizabeth. He is survived by his son, Kenneth of Los Angeles; his daughter and son-in-law, Candy and Donnee Ramelli of Rehoboth Beach and Bethesda, Md.; two granddaughters, Chandler Ramelli of Alexandria and Christina Ramelli of New York City; and his companion, Joan Palmer of Rehoboth Beach. A memorial service celebrating Ken’s life will be at 11 a.m., Wednesday, May 7, at All Saints’ Episcopal Church, 18 Olive Ave., Rehoboth Beach. A reception will follow. Burial will be private. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to Beebe Medical Foundation, 902 Savannah Road, Lewes, DE 19958.
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William James Brittingham,
enjoyed traveling
William James Brittingham, 82, of Ocean View, passed away Tuesday, April 29, 2008, at his residence. Mr. Brittingham was born in Wilmington, son of the late William and Rowena Kee Brittingham.
Mr. Brittingham was a resident of Claymont until 1984, when he retired; he and his wife then relocated to Ocean View. He was a manager for the Howard Johnson’s on Kirkwood Highway, Newark for 21 years. He then owned and operated the Copper Kettle Restaurant in Wilmington from 1978 to 1982. Once he settled into retirement he returned to work as a salesman for Larry’s Homes in Delmar. He was a member of the Delaware Restaurant Association and the Ocean View VFW Post 7234. He served with the U.S. Army during World War II in the Pacific Theatre and in the Philippines. He enjoyed traveling around Europe and South America. He especially enjoyed spending time with his children and grandchildren. He also enjoyed music by Clay Aiken.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one brother, Stanley Brittingham. He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Alliene Gasser Brittingham; three daughters, Lisa Armstrong and her husband Doug of Lancaster, Pa., Lezlie Anderson and her husband Stephen of Rehoboth Beach, and Kim Gamaitoni and her husband Edward of Wilmington; two sons, J. Keith Brittingham and his wife Lana of Wilmington, and Kurt Brittingham and his wife Diane of Avondale, Pa.; 12 grandchildren; and one great-granddaughter.
A celebration of William’s life will be held at Parsell Funeral Homes & Crematorium, Atkins-Lodge Chapel, 16961 Kings Highway, Lewes, at 2 p.m., Saturday, May 3, with the Rev. Randy Booth officiating. The family will greet friends one hour prior to the service.
Entombment will be held at a later date at the Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Millsboro.
The family suggests memorial contributions be made to the Delaware Hospice Center, 100 Patriots Way, Milford, DE 19963; or to the Delaware Humane Association, 701 A St., Wilmington, DE 19801.
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Doris S. Smith,
enjoyed her family
Doris S. Smith, 81, of Rehoboth Beach, passed away Wednesday, April 30, 2008, at Beebe Medical Center, surrounded by her loving family.
She was born Feb. 15, 1927, in Cape May, N.J., daughter of the late Floyd Kimland and Sarah Elizabeth Abbott Schmierer.
Mrs. Smith was devoted to her family. She enjoyed spending time with her friends from high school (Rehoboth High, 1945), traveling with her late husband Ernest, bird watching, taking walks, and her cats and dogs. Most importantly, she enjoyed spending time with her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her first husband, Andrew Imhof in 1976; her second husband, Ernest Smith in 1998; and two brothers, Charles and Kenny Schmierer.
She is survived by three daughters, Penny MacLennan and her husband Angus of Lewes, Susan Hargrave and her husband Dennis of Surry, Va., and Patty Marowski and her husband John of Lewes; four sons, Vincent Imhof and his wife Zee of Milford, Jesse Imhof and his wife Rose of Rehoboth Beach, Floyd Imhof and his wife Elaine of Wallingford, Vt., and Greg Imhof and his wife Jamie of Millsboro; 20 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; and one sister, Joan “Ginger” Batchlor and her husband Dick of Georgetown.
Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m., Saturday, May 3, at Epworth United Methodist Church, 19825 Holland Glade Road, Rehoboth Beach, with the Rev. Dr. Jonathan Baker officating. Interment will follow at Rehoboth Presbyterian Church of Midway Cemetery, 4470 Highway One, Rehoboth Beach. There will be no calling hours. Arrangements are being handled by Parsell Funeral Homes & Crematorium, Lewes.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions be made to Epworth United Methodist Church at the above address or to the Kent County SPCA, 32 Shelter Circle, Camden, DE 19934.
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Stephen Prescott Smith,
music collector
Stephen Prescott Smith, 49, formerly of Baltimore, Md., now a resident of Lewes, died Tuesday, April 29, 2008, at his residence with his family by his side.
Steve was born Sept. 22, 1958, in Cincinnati, Ohio, son of Warren Coleman Smith and Mary Lee Fulghum Smith of Lewes.
Steve lived in San Antonio, Texas; Columbia, Md.; Baltimore; and Lewes. He attended Towson High School, graduated in 1976, then went on to the then Towson State University. His great loves were music, sports cars, motorcycles, women, photography and felines. He was a collector of silver, antique guns and bottles, and had a remarkable music collection.
At age 11, Steve contracted diabetes and continued to have one health problem after another throughout his entire life. He was able to maintain his sense of humor and face his limited life with a great deal of courage and a very positive outlook.
He was dealt a bad hand but made the absolute best of it. Steve was not one to complain, as he said to his family, “Why complain; no one really wants to hear it. If you tell them how you really feel you might not have any one stopping by.”
Steve managed the 40 West Racquet Club and later was involved in construction and property management.
He then went on to sell yachts. In 1989 he married the late Sally Porter, formerly of Washington, D.C.; they resided in Rogers Forge, Baltimore.
He will be missed by his parents; his sister, Cissy Smith Marks; brother-in-law, Paul J. Marks; his brother, Warren C. Smith Jr.; a niece, Lauren Smith Marks; a nephew, Warren Smith III; and his 20-year-old cat.
A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday, May 3, at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, 2nd and Market streets, Lewes. Interment will be private.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions be made to the American Diabetes Association, P.O. Box 11454, Alexandria, VA 22312; or to the Dewey Beach Feral Cat Society, 16946 Ketch Court, Lewes, DE 19958.
Arrangements are being handled by Parsell Funeral Homes & Crematorium, Lewes.
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Dorothy C. Marino,
enjoyed shopping
Dorothy C. Marino, 81, formerly of Milford, was called home to the Lord Sunday, April 27, 2008, surrounded by her family. Dottie was born March 25, 1927, to William and Irene Wegner in North Bergen, N.J.
She married her high school sweetheart, Salvatore Marino, in 1946, and just celebrated their 62nd anniversary.
She was a longtime resident of Willingboro, N.J., then moved to Lewes, where she was a member of the Ladies Auxiliary of the Elks Lodge 2540.
She and her husband later relocated to Milford. Due to illness, she came back to New Jersey to be with her loving family.
Dot was a homemaker who enjoyed shopping, word search puzzles and spending time with family and friends.
She was a great lady who will be missed deeply.
She is survived by her loving caregiver and husband, Salvatore Marino; her three children, William Marino (Patricia), Karen Chappell (Michael), and Audrey Kerstetter (Roland); five grandchildren, William and Christopher Marino, Crystal Gardiner, and Heather and Kelly Kerstetter; four great-grandchildren, Chelsea, Chase, Katelyn and Evan; three siblings, William (Bud) Wegner, Ethel Wilson and Irene Bamford; a sister-in-law, Rita Lamberto; and numerous nieces and nephews along with many friends.
A memorial service will be held 1-4 p.m., Saturday, May 24, at the Cape Henlopen Elks Lodge 2540, 18544 Beaver Dam Road, Lewes. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to The Hospice of Moorestown VNA, 300 Harper Drive, Moorestown, NJ 08057; or to Trustees of the University of Pennsylvania, Penn Medicine Development Office, Attn. Roger Reina, 3535 Market St., Suite 750, Philadelphia, PA 19104.
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Donald Lee Robinson,
equipment operator
Donald Lee “Duck” Robinson, 56, of Georgetown, died Monday, April 28, 2008, at home.
He was predeceased by his parents, Ross and Gladys Bunting Robinson.
Survivors include his wife of 36 years, Teresa R. Robinson, a son, Donald Robinson Jr. and his wife Carrie of Georgetown; a daughter, Lori Williams of Georgetown; brothers, Mark Robinson of Georgetown, C.R. Robinson and wife Kim of Georgetown, Ronnie Robinson and wife Denise of Georgetown, and George Ross Robinson and wife Jean of Clarksville; sisters, Carol Evans of Georgetown, Olive Karr and husband Eddie of Georgetown, and Connie Pettyjohn of Georgetown; three grandchildren, Mark, Luke and Ryder; an aunt, Irene Gray; special friends, Sinath Sam and Ricky Breasure; his beloved canine friend Brownie; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Duck was a retired equipment operator. He attended Bethesda United Methodist Church in Georgetown. He was a devoted husband and father. His grandchildren were the light of his life. He enjoyed racing, NASCAR and local stock car tracks. Donald enjoyed traveling, especially his trips to Florida.
A memorial service will be held at 3 p.m., Sunday, May 4, at the Robinson Family Fun Track, 25444 Governor Stockley Road, Georgetown. Jake Breasure will officiate. Interment will be private.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Camp Barnes Racing Benefit, c/o Delaware State Police Troop 4, 23652 Shortly Road, Georgetown DE 19947, Attn: Det. Preston Lewis, Camp Barnes Racing Director.
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Casper E. Powell Jr.,
Air Force veteran
Casper E. Powell Jr. departed this life on Monday, April 28, 2008, in his home in Lewes.
Born Oct. 10, 1941, in Dover, he was the son of the late Casper and Madeline Powell of Magnolia.
Cas was educated in Caesar Rodney High School and served his country in the U.S. Air Force as a combat crew member of AKC 97. He worked in sales and owned his own construction company for many years. Cas enjoyed hunting, fishing and spending time with his children and grandchildren.
He is survived by his daughter, Barbara Roberts; a son, Scott Powell; grandchildren, Jennifer Mumford, Nicole Merillo, Bobbie Stackeni, Brandon Powell and Olivia Powell; and one great-grandchild, Nathan Merillo; a brother, Snooky Powell; and a sister, Diane Cahall.
Services will be 1 p.m., Friday, May 2, in the Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Millsboro.
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Ellwood Frey,
Local 132 member
Ellwood Frey, 78, of Millsboro, formerly of the Washington, D.C. area, passed away Monday, April 28, 2008, at the Renaissance Health Care Center in Long Neck.
He was born Sept. 23, 1929, in Washington, D.C., son of Capt. Harlan Frey and Adelaide Murray Frey; his mother passed away when Ellwood was 2 years old and he was raised by his father and a very caring, loving stepmother, Pearl Fennell Frey, in Takoma Park, Md.
He attended Montgomery Blair High School and was a member for 54 years of the Carpenters/Joiners Union Local 132 in Washington, D.C. Upon retirement he moved to Long Neck Village, Millsboro, where he lived until his death.
Along with his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother Robert, who was killed in World War II, his brother Leonard; his sister Gertrude Goodhue of Maryland; and his nephews, Keith Goodhue of Annapolis, Md., and Robert Frey of Chicago, Ill.
He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Eileen Dowey Frey; a daughter, Donna Eytchison and her husband Vernon of Laurel, Md.; two sons, Steven and his wife Teri of Oviedo, Fla., and David and his wife Marvella of Phoenix, Ariz.; eight grandchildren, Carrie and Lauren Eytchison of Laurel, Md., Rebecca Paugh and her husband Shawn of York, Pa., Steven Frey II and his wife Maria of Charlotte, N.C., Andrew Frey of Orlando, Fla., Cody Wright of Richmond, Va., Aidan and Liliana Frey of Phoenix; and five great-grandchildren.
A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m., Friday, May 2, at the chapel of Melson Funeral Services on Long Neck Road in Millsboro, where friends may call after 10 a.m. Pastor Gary Knapp of East Gate Presbyterian Church will officiate. Interment will be private.
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Arlene Grace Schiller,
Women of the Moose
Arlene Grace Schiller, 72, of Milton, passed away Monday, April 28, 2008, at her late residence. She was born in Milwaukee, Wis., on Jan. 21, 1936, daughter of the late Clinton A. Doughty and Mildred A. Nimergood Doughty.
She attended the Lutheran Church of Our Savior, was a member of the Women of the Moose, Lewes, and a member of the NCO Wives Club, Dover.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a son, Thomas M. Schiller; a brother, Robert Doughty; and a sister, Karen Salazar. She is survived by her husband of 54 years, Kenneth E. Schiller Sr.; a son, Kenneth E. Schiller Jr. and his wife, Dianne, of Tenafly, N.J.; and a daughter, Terry L. Schiller of Milton; two brothers, Clint Doughty and Patrick Hewitt; and three sisters, Sandy Doughty, Jean Warmsbecker and Debbie Mueller, all of Milwaukee; five grandchildren, Tammy L. DeVilbiss, Bethany L. Schiller, Allyson N. Schiller, Arianna M. Schiller and Stephanie A. Schiller; and three great-grandchildren, Rashawn Bolden, Tyre’ Thomas and Da’ Jehr Roundtree.
Funeral services will be at 11 a.m., Friday, May 2, at Parsell Funeral Homes & Crematorium, Atkins-Lodge Chapel, 16961 Kings Highway, Lewes, where friends may call one hour prior to services. Interment will be at Coolspring Presbyterian Cemetery in Milton.
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Robert LaVere,
electrical estimator
Robert LaVere, 76, of Milford died Monday, April 28, 2008, at Delaware Veterans Home in Milford.
He was born in Felton, the son of the late Harry and Helen Bindschaedler LaVere.
He was an electrical estimator for Tudor Electric and J&W Electric, retiring in 1996.
He was a veteran of the U.S. Army. He enjoyed going to the stock car races.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Janet Denney LaVere in 1988.
He is survived by his son, Ron LaVere and his wife Debbie of Milford; fiancée Susie Morris of Milford and her children, Kelley Morris and Niki Neal of Milford; three grandchildren, Jason LaVere, Stacie Messick and Melissa Messick; two brothers, Ed LaVere of Burgaw, N.C., and Ken LaVere of Camden; and three sisters, Adele Carey of Georgetown, Helen Mills of Dover, and Dorothy Jones of Dover.Continued from page 87
Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m., Saturday, May 3, in the chapel of Berry-Short Funeral Home, 119 NW Front St., Milford, where friends may call after noon. Interment will be in Milford Community Cemetery, Milford. Contributions may be made to Victory Junction Gang Camp, 4500 Adams’s Way, Randleman, NC 27317; or Racing for a Reason, Gillett Evernham Motorsports Soldier Outreach, 320 Aviation Drive, Statesville, NC 28677.
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Pearl Mae Davis,
Hartly homemaker
Pearl Mae Davis, 92, of Hartly, died Saturday, April 26, 2008, at Kent General Hospital, Dover.
Ms. Davis was born March 16, 1916, in Millsboro to the late Samuel and Martha E. Jackson Thompson.
She was a homemaker. She loved to cook, loved Emeril Lagasse recipes, loved to laugh and loved to dance. She lived for her grandkids, and the cleanest house ever kept. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her daughter, Delphine Davis, and several siblings.
Ms. Davis is survived by one son, Alonzo F. Davis of Hartly; one daughter, Marguerette H. Gardner of Hartly; one son-in-law, Tyrone Gardner of Clayton; two stepdaughters, Betty Coleman of Hartly and Carol Lee Hall of Florida; one brother, Howdy Thompson of Millsboro; one sister-in-law, Bertha Thompson of Millsboro; her two dearest friends, Margaret Henson and Phoebe Martin; four grandchildren, Dwayne Davis and wife Sharon, Darlene Cunningham and husband Val, Neville Coleman, and Patrick Britt and wife Nicole; four great-grandchildren, Shawn Jack and wife Becky, Chenitra Jack, Valentino Cunningham and Kirsten Davis; three great-great-grandchildren, Davonte Adams, Savanna Jack and Darius Jack; and a host of nieces, nephews and many friends. Services will be held at 2 p.m., Friday, May 2, at the Watson Funeral Home, 211 S. Washington St., Millsboro, where friends may call one hour before. The Rev. Claudia Waters will officiate. Interment will be in the Harmony U.M. Church Cemetery, near Millsboro.
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Marshall Wilkins,
security officer
Marshall “Lawrence” Wilkins, 76, of Georgetown, died Sunday, April 27, 2008, at the Delaware Hospice Center in Milford.
Lawrence was born in Georgetown, the son of the late Marshall B. and Elvira Marvel Wilkins of Georgetown.
He was a security officer for Wilmington Trust for the past 15 years, and prior to that was a truck driver for George L. Fluharty and had also trained horses for Bill Chasanov. Lawrence had also been a coach for the Georgetown Little League where he enjoyed watching his grandchildren play baseball, and he also enjoyed going to turkey shoots.
In addition to his mother, he is survived by his wife of 56 years, Jane Lynn Johnson Wilkins; three children, Janet Spray and her husband Charles of Millsboro, Keith Wilkins and his wife Kathey, and Guy Wilkins and his wife Carol, all of Georgetown; six grandchildren, Brad Breasure and his wife Angie, Scott Breas
