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Sara Elizabeth Jensen, active in community
Sara Elizabeth “Betty” Jensen, 88, of Dover, formerly of Milford, died Friday, May 30, 2008, in Capitol Healthcare, Dover.
Betty was born one of 11 children in Milford, the daughter of the late George and Lena Macklin Manlove.
She was a homemaker.
Through the years, Betty had many hobbies and activities. She was a member of Avenue United Methodist Church, Milford, and a member of the Milford Senior Center, where she sang in the choir and played a kazoo in the band entertaining in hospitals and nursing homes in the area.
Betty participated in the Governor’s Walk for seniors in Rehoboth Beach for several years. She did some gardening, loved to ride her bike, took up knitting and learned to cane chairs. She belonged to the neighborhood “coffee clatch” and played cards with the “girls” every week.
Betty volunteered at the Blood Bank of Dover and was a member of the VFW Auxiliary, Blue Hen Post 6483 of Milford.
She collected shells and stones, pennies, music boxes and Delaware items. Betty also worked the elections.
In recent years, she worked with the police department to get a Neighborhood Watch started in her area of town. She was very involved with that organization for quite a few years.
Betty loved to walk with her “Big Stick” and continued to do so up until the very end. She would spend most of her day walking all over town. She would pick up newspapers for people and lay them on their porch where they could get them easily. On trash day, she would put folks’ trash cans beck where they belonged as well. Betty was always doing for others.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband of 48 years, Neils Jensen in 1987; two sisters, Jeanette Van Buren Frazer and Peggy Anstine Bennett; five brothers, James E. Manlove, Milton C. Manlove, John P. Manlove, William Gordon Manlove, George Manlove; her twin brother, Theodore R. Manlove; and several nieces and nephews.
She is survived by her daughter, Joan Theodora Duphily of Dover; two brothers, Benjamin Manlove of California and LeRoy Manlove of Newark; three grandchildren, Crystal Duphily and her fiancé Chad Surface, and Dionne Duphily, both of Dover, and Darry Duphily-DuBre and his wife Sue DuBre of Lewes; and three great-granddaughters, Allison and Brittney Wass and Quinn DuBre.
Funeral services will be at 1 p.m., Tuesday, June 3, in Lofland Funeral Home, 102 Lakeview Ave., Milford.
Burial will be in Milford Community Cemetery, N. Walnut Street, Milford.
Instead of flowers, the family requests contributions to the Vitas’s Charitable Contributions, 100 Commerce Drive, Suite 302, Newark, DE 19713.

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Janice B. McKee, former waitress
Janice B. McKee, 88, of Wilmington, passed away Saturday, May 31, 2008, in Foulk Manor North Nursing Home where she was a resident.
Janice was born in Harrington, to parents Bessie and Lambert Blades.
She was a 1937 graduate of Harrington High School.
Janice moved to Seaford where she worked at the DuPont plant for 14 years.
She also worked as a waitress in the area for many years which she truly enjoyed as she was a true people person.
She moved to the Wilmington area in 1998.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by one brother, Leonard C. Blades in 2006.
She is survived by one sister, Emma B. Howard of Wilmington; one nephew, Lee C. Howard of Newark; and one niece, Janet A. Howard of Rehoboth Beach.
Graveside services will be 2 p.m. Wednesday, June 4, in Hollywood Cemetery, Harrington.
Instead of flowers, the family suggests contributions to the American Heart Association.
Arrangements by Price Funeral Home, Harrington.

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Margaret M. Conaway, ladies auxiliary member
Margaret Mary Conaway, 94, passed away Saturday, May 31, 2008, at Genesis Elder Care in Seaford.
Margaret was born April 17, 1914, in Wilmington, the daughter of the late Charles A. Dougherty and Mary S. Kooch of Wilmington. She married her late husband, Joseph C. Conaway, in 1935.
Margaret graduated from Saint Patrick’s Commercial High School in Wilmington in 1929 and was employed with Woolworth Five and Ten in Wilmington. After marrying in 1935, Margaret remained a stay-at-home mother. In 1974 she and her husband moved to Bridgeville. She was an active member of the Greenwood CHEER Center and the Bridgeville Fire Company Ladies’ Auxiliary. She was also a member of Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Seaford.
She was predeceased by five brothers and one sister.
She is survived by her only son, Joseph T. Conaway and his wife Joann of Bridgeville; four grandchildren, Joanne T. Collison and her husband R. Michael of Bridgeville, Jenyfer T. Conaway of Winnsboro, S.C., Jill T. Lewandowski and her husband Edward of Bridgeville, and Warrant Officer I Joseph T. Conaway II and wife Connie Faye of Hampton, Ga.; and seven great-granddaughters, Amanda, Lindsey and Chelsea Collison; Kyrra and Kori Lewandowski; and Samantha and Kayleigh Conaway. In addition, she is survived by three sisters-in-law, Josephine Sharp, Dorothy Fenimore and Ann Dougherty; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Friends may call from 6 to 8 p.m., Tuesday, June 3, at the Parsell Funeral Homes & Crematorium, Hardesty Chapel, 202 Laws St., Bridgeville. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Our Lady of Lourdes Roman Catholic Church, Stein Highway, Seaford, at 11 a.m., Wednesday, June 4. Interment will follow at the Bridgeville Cemetery in Bridgeville.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Our Lady of Lourdes Church Building Fund, 532 Stein Highway, Seaford, DE 19973 or to the Bridgeville Volunteer Fire Company Ladies’ Auxiliary, 421 South Main St., Bridgeville, DE 19933.

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Russell D. Brittingham, retired banker
Russell D. Brittingham, 78, of Salisbury, Md., and formerly of Selbyville, passed away Friday, May 30, 2008, at home.
He was born to the late Dee and Mildred Williams Brittingham on April 18, 1930.
Russell was a banker, retiring with 46 years of service. He retired in 1995 from the Baltimore Trust Company in Selbyville. Russell was formerly a member of Salem United Methodist Church, Selbyville. He was a member of Asbury United Methodist, Salisbury, Md., a member of the Doric Masonic Lodge No. 30 A.F. & A.M., Millville, and the Delaware Consistory, Wilmington. He was a veteran of the Korean War serving in the U.S. Navy. Russell was an avid golfer. He was a member of the Ocean City (Md.) Golf Club and a member of the Salisbury Elks Club, Salisbury. He had been a member of the American Institute of Banking.
In addition to his parents, he was also preceded in death by his wife, Iris Clogg Brittingham, who passed in 2000.
Mr. Brittingham is survived by his fiancée, Shirley Tyndall; a brother, Wayne L. Brittingham and his wife Doris of Dagsboro; a niece, Denise J. Farber of Dagsboro; two great-nieces, Katlyn and Kara Farber; adopted sons, Tim Tyndall and his wife Beth of Newark, Md., and Larry Tyndall and his companion Bob Feuer of Kansas City; and adopted grandchildren, Danny, Megan and Ashley.
Services will be held at 2 p.m., Tuesday, June 3, at the Watson Funeral Home, 211 S. Washington St., Millsboro, where a Masonic service will be held prior to the funeral service. Friends may call one hour before. Interment will be in Prince Georges Cemetery, Dagsboro.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations to any local hospice in Russell’s name would be appreciated.

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William T. McLaughlin, Wilmington mayor
After a lifetime of service to Delaware citizens, William T. “Bill” McLaughlin, 91, the former two-term mayor of Wilmington, passed away at the Methodist Country House.
Mr. McLaughlin, a lifelong Wilmingtonian, has been almost synonymous with the city since his 1964 Council election, and perhaps even more so since his retirement from political life in 1984. That was when he became ardently involved in numerous charities in the state.
Bill was born into a large Irish-Catholic family on Dec. 22, 1916. He was educated at St. Mary’s Parochial School and Wilmington High School, where he was inducted into the Hall of Fame. After his Air Force career, he continued his studies at the universities of Texas, South Carolina and Delaware.
During World War II, he enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Force. As a B-25 bomber radio operator and tail-gunner, he became one of the first Delaware residents to fly 50 combat missions and earned over 10 decorations including the Air Medal with the Oak Leaf Cluster and the Asiatic Theatre Ribbon with two Bronze Stars.
Later, Bill served as the commander of VFW Post 7006, and he was inducted into the inaugural class of the Delaware Veterans Hall of Heroes.
Bill’s professional career began at Delaware Floor Products. After his coworkers were refused a two-cent raise, he helped organize Delaware’s first CIO union and became the state’s initial shop steward. He later worked for Duncan Electronics and caught the eye of the DuPont Company after he became one of the first Delawareans to build a television from scratch. He worked 30 years for E.I. Du Pont De Nemours and Company where he became a supervisor and honed many of the managerial skills people noted during his tenure as mayor. He supervised the installation of the company’s first word processing and computer system.

Inspired by the example of his sister, a Franciscan nun who was the principal of a school for at-risk youth in Baltimore, Mr. McLaughlin began his public life. A naturally gifted leader, Mr. McLaughlin was also a surprisingly reluctant candidate at first. The local Democratic Party courted him to run for office, but it took his more outgoing wife to urge him to give it a go. He was elected to Wilmington City Council in 1964 and served as the city’s Finance Chairman. It was during this time that he forged his career-long trait as a highly principled leader who would not tolerate injustice. Of this Sen. Biden said, “He is a gentleman but with a backbone of steel who would tell anyone, including presidents, CEOs, and party leaders, if he spotted an injustice.” Former News Journal Editor John Taylor added, “He is a man of straight, no-baloney talk whose honesty tempered by sincerity and understanding seldom offends people.” After 12 years on Council, it was then that Mr. McLaughlin, now retired from the DuPont Company, assumed his most prominent elected office, the mayoralty. He guided the city through unprecedented building, housing, economic and cultural growth. Hailed by presidents, senators, governors and publications as one of America’s greatest mayors, Bill humbly deflected credit for Wilmington’s revitalization to his loyal, dedicated staff, elected officials, the citizens, and the nonprofit organizations. He modestly saw himself as just one link in a long line of Wilmington mayors who dedicated their lives to the city’s renaissance. Bill’s humility and trait of giving credit to others rather than himself prompted columnist Bill Frank to write, “One trouble with the mayor is that he doesn’t know how to boast of his achievements. Hence, it is necessary for others to do the boasting.”

Mr. McLaughlin presided over several historically important events and programs during his tenure. One such event occurred shortly after his election when a panel of federal judges issued the largest metropolitan school busing order in the nation’s history. Bill quickly took the lead role by enlisting the help of elected officials and community leaders to join him in guiding a peaceful process. Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Norm Lockman wrote, “Wilmington’s most effective mayor kept the county from falling into a pit of racial conflict. Had he not done that Wilmington would not have attracted the major banks now lining its boulevards and providing our skyline. That is his lasting legacy to Delaware.” Gov. Pete duPont noted, “After the court order came down, Bill McLaughlin, more than anyone else, was responsible for the peaceful desegregation of the schools.” Sen. Biden stated, “In times of crisis, God sends us the right people. During school desegregation, he sent us Bill. He did more for race relations in this state than anyone since I’ve held public office.”

McLaughlin also pioneered Wilmington’s expansion as a modern banking and financial center. After reading in the Wall Street Journal that many New York bank presidents were dissatisfied there, he courted 18 banks to come to Wilmington. Working closely with Gov. duPont, he then lobbied for the passage of the Financial Center Development Act, which eventually created 40,000 jobs and a new skyline. Former Channel 12 analyst Joe Farley remarked, “If we want to be historically accurate, then it was Bill McLaughlin who had the original idea to bring the banks to Delaware.”

Mr. McLaughlin, with assistance from Sen. Biden and President Jimmy Carter, rebuilt the city by securing more UDAG funds per capita than any other American city. After Delaware went from the 50th state to first in economic growth, the McLaughlin administration gained national recognition for the city’s turnaround. He then turned his vision to the Christina and Brandywine rivers by creating the River-to-River Project. He pioneered the Riverfront revitalization we see today by securing homes for Mitchell Associates, Moeckel Carbonell Associates and the Delaware Theatre Company. Working with CEO Alex Giacco, he convinced the Hercules Corporation not to relocate and to build a new headquarters near the Brandywine River. He spearheaded the revitalization of the Trolley Square section of the city and personally named the area Trolley Square to recall its historical roots. As mayor, he oversaw the modernization of the Port, making it the No. 1 importer of bananas in the U.S. He created WEDCO, which promoted minority economic development.
Gov. du Pont summarized Bill’s political career at a tribute dinner, “In the dark days of the 1970s, Bill was the most effective person in turning this state around and restoring optimism to Delaware.” Sen. Biden added, “He has set the standard for every elected official in Delaware.”

At a time when most men enjoy their retirement, Mr. McLaughlin, then in his early 70s, began a third career of philanthropy and volunteerism by becoming the president of a charitable organization that was dear to his heart, The Ministry of Caring. He served as president/chairman of more than 10 other boards, including the Future Stars, Sister Cities and the VFW. He was a board member for more than 30 additional boards including the National Conference of Christians and Jews, YWCA, Kiwanis Club, NAACP, United Negro College Fund, United Way, Mary Mother of Hope House, West End Neighborhood House, Community Legal Service, Wilmington Senior Center, Family Services, Big Brothers of America and his simultaneous parishes, Christ Our King and St. Mary’s.

For his selfless benefactions and fundraising, he was the recipient of more than 80 Man-of-the-Year or service awards including the Delaware State Chamber of Commerce, National Conference of Christians and Jews, Delaware Bar Association, A.C.L.U., Masonic Lodge (1st recipient), Family Services, National Society of Fundraising Executives, the Alexis I. duPont Bayard Award for Public Service, and the NAACP Humanitarian Award (twice). The William T. McLaughlin Public Safety Building was dedicated in his name in 1988, and the Kiwanis Club named its service award after him. He was awarded honorary degrees from Goldey Beacom College and Delaware Technical & Community College. Delaware Today magazine named him one of “The Thirty People Who Changed Delaware.” He was also presented more than 30 local and national government proclamations, including the Order of the First State. The Ministry’s Brother Ron called Bill the “hero of the nonprofit community.” Perhaps former Mayor Tom Maloney described Bill most aptly when he presented him the Civic League’s Good Government Award: “He has tirelessly devoted himself to serving his community. Hardly an individual in this town can say no to the gracious charm of a request from Bill to serve on a committee, co-chair an event, or make a contribution to a worthwhile community activity. He has raised more money, served on more nonprofit boards and given more volunteer time than anyone in Delaware.” His generosity to children and adults down on their luck is legendary. DCF chair Fred Sears added, “It’s not hard to find someone who talks about what he has done for them personally and see tears come to their eyes.”

His friends honored him with four tribute dinners in 1984, 1985, 1999, and his recent 90th birthday party. These tributes enabled Bill to raise more money for charity in his name than any other Delawarean. At the 1999 tribute, MBNA founder Charles Cawley and the community raised more than $1 million to launch The William T. and Mary A. McLaughlin Education Fund. The fund supports the renowned Future Stars program which helps deserving Delaware youths achieve their academic goals. To date, more than 20 graduates of the program have attended college. At his 90th birthday party, Sam Beard and 10 friends created the McLaughlin Long-Term Endowment Fund which is projected to endow the Future Stars for more than 100 years. Bill McLaughlin will be remembered for dedicating his life to helping others and as a quintessential booster of Wilmington and its citizens.

His brother, Harry, of Lewes, survives him, as do his sons, William F., of Wilmington and Donald M., of Maplewood, N.J., their respective spouses, Toni and Teresa; and his three best friends, grandsons, Christopher, Ian and Kyle. His Irish immigrant parents, Ellen and James, produced 12 offspring, so Bill never lacked for the company and counsel of his many brothers, sisters, nieces and nephews of this great family.

The family would like to thank John Flaherty and Gene West for escorting Bill to many doctor visits. Thanks also to the loving staff at the Methodist Country House and Delaware Hospice and to Dr. Charles Hill for extraordinary care.

Family and friends are invited to attend a viewing at St. Thomas the Apostle Church, 4th St. and Bancroft Parkway from 4 to 8 p.m., Tuesday, June 3. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 a.m., Wednesday, June 4, at St. Elizabeth Church, Cedar and Clayton sts. Interment will be in Cathedral Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to either William T. & Mary A. McLaughlin Education Fund, c/o The Delaware Community Foundation, PO Box 1636, Wilmington DE 19899; or the Ministry of Caring, 506 N. Church St., Wilmington, DE 19801.

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Floyd Donald Henry, Dana Corp. retiree
Floyd Donald “Hank” Henry, 83, of Milton, formerly of Pottstown, Pa., died Friday, May 30, 2008.
He was born June 15, 1924, in Pottstown, son of Wilmer Henry and Elvennia Gloss Henry.
Hank married Marlene Laver in 1950. The couple celebrated their 57th wedding anniversary in June of last year.
Hank was employed by the Dana Corp. for 39 years until his retirement in 1980.
He moved to Delaware that same year.
Some of the things Hank enjoyed were time with his family, working in his garage workshop, mowing grass, making special dishes in the kitchen and watching the birds from his porch.
He will be missed.
He is survived by his wife Marlene; three daughters, Linda Butler and husband Ken of Maryland, Ellen Harpold and husband Randall of Middletown, and Bobbi Lingo and husband John of Milton; grandchildren, Laura Mangin, Andrew Lopuski, Paul Rickards, Robert Lingo, and Breanna Harpold; and great-grandchildren, James Mangin and Joseph Mangin.
All services will be private.
Instead of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions be made to Delaware Hospice Center, 100 Patriots Way, Milford, DE 19963.
Arrangements by Parsell Funeral Enterprises Inc., Lewes.

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Brown Walker, Ford retiree
Brown Walker, 85, of Ellendale, died Monday, May 26, 2008, at the home of his daughter and caregiver, Betty, surrounded by his loving children and family.
Brown was born Aug. 18, 1922, in Saunderville, Ga., to the late John H. and Mattie Trawick Walker.
Brown came to Lewes, where he met the love of his life, Barbara Ann Dunning, and they married in 1949.
Brown them moved his family to Chester, Pa., making it their home.
Brown worked for the Ford Motor Co., and Dee’s Paper Co., in Chester. He retired from both companies and returned to Delaware to live.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Barbara, in 1969; and a daughter, Ethel Marie Carter.
Brown is survived by five sons, Nathaniel B. Walker Jr. of Darby, Pa., Tyrone R. Walker of Chester, Maurice R. Walker of Chester, John H. Walker of Millsboro, and Larry T. Bradley of Chester; two daughters, Mattie J. Walker Green of Delaware, and Betty Jo Walker Green of Ellendale; 18 grandchildren; 28 great-grandchildren; and three great-great-grandchildren.
Memorial services will be 1 p.m. Tuesday, June 3, in Mount Zion AME Church, Highway 16, Ellendale. The Rev. Thomas Brown will officiate.
Burial will be at the convenience of the family.
Arrangements by Miller Funeral Services.

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Francis J. Knauer, retired carpenter
Franics J. “Tweet” Knauer, 78, of Millsboro and formerly of Baltimore, Md., died Thursday, May 29, 2008, at home.
Francis was a retired carpenter with Local 101 in Baltimore. He also loved to do yard work.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Teresa Knauer; his brother, Robert J. Knauer; and two sons, Francis J. Knauer Jr. and Lt. Gerald T. Knauer, a former Baltimore City firefighter.
He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Betty Jo Bogle Knauer; a daughter, Elisabeth “Betsy” Hires and her husband Richard of Salem, N.J.; a sister, Maryalice Schmidt of Lufton, S.C.; five grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.
Services were held at Watson Funeral Home, Millsboro, with interment private.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Compassionate Care Hospice, 31038 Country Garden Blvd. Suite D2, Dagsboro, DE 19939.

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Jose Americo Viana, retired banker
Jose Americo Viana, 76, of Rehoboth Beach, died suddenly Sunday, June 1, 2008, at Beebe Medical Center in Lewes.
Mr. Viana, formerly of Vienna, Va., retired to the shore area in 1997 with his wife of 46 years, Monica Silva Viana.
Mr. Viana lived the American dream after arriving in the United States in 1958 from Brazil. He embodied the virtues of hard work, pursuit of education and self-determination to raise a family and build a successful career.
His career began in Brazil with his father’s agricultural business and once in the United States his career moved into the banking industry, concluding in Washington, D.C., in 1995 with the Inter-American Development Bank as an export finance officer.
In his retirement, he was a strong supporter of the Republican Party and supported his wife’s efforts with local charities and community outreach programs.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by his son Alexandre Viana and his wife Kari Ann; grandson Alexander Americo Viana; granddaughter Gabriella Victoria Viana; two sisters, Maria Edna and Eliane; and four brothers, Joao, Alberto, Carlos and Delano.
In addition to his parents, Raimundo Viana and Maria Jose Silveira Viana, he was predeceased by his sister, Fatima and two brothers, Raimundo and Pedro.
A Memorial Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m., Saturday, June 7, at St. Edmond’s Catholic Church, King Charles Avenue and Laurel Street, Rehoboth Beach. Interment will be private.
Arrangements are being handled by Parsell Funeral Enterprises Inc., Lewes.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions be made to St. Edmond’s Catholic Church, King Charles Avenue and Laurel Street, Rehoboth Beach DE 19971, or to Beebe Medical Center Foundation, 424 Savannah Road, Lewes, DE 19958.