07/22/08

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Emma Walls Wilkerson, Sussex homemaker
Emma J. Walls Wilkerson, 91, of Ellendale, passed away Sunday, July 20, 2008, at Milford Center. Emma was born in Willow River, Minn,, the daughter of the late James H. and Marian Cisar Novotny. She was a homemaker and had worked as a button sorter for Rogers Button Factory for many years.
Emma had been a member of Goshen U.M. Church since 1967. Emma enjoyed gardening and loved flowers. She is preceded in death by her first husband, Lawrence Walls in 1956; her second husband, Claude Wilkerson in 1986; and a sister, Lillian Dutton.
Emma is survived by a brother, James Novotny of Milton; a sister, Marie Tucker of Ellendale; and several nieces and nephews.
A funeral service will be held at 2 p.m., Wednesday, July 23, in the chapel of Short Funeral Services, 416 Federal St., Milton, where friends may call after 1 p.m. Burial will be in Harbeson Cemetery.

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Theresa A. Branson, lifelong teacher
Theresa Angela Greggo Branson passed away peacefully on Thursday, July 17, 2008.
Theresa was born in Wilmington on June 16, 1940. After graduation from Ursuline Academy, she entered the Immaculate Heart of Mary Novitiate in Scranton, Pa., where she was professed a nun, Sister Mary Germana, in 1962. She taught in the order for 10 years in New York, Pennsylvania and Maryland. After many years of devoted service to the church and the convent, she left the order and returned to Delaware where she dedicated her life to educating thousands of children during her teaching career. Theresa taught at St. Matthew’s, Our Lady of Fatima, St. Catherine’s and Mt. Aviat, touching, changing and enriching the lives of many elementary school children in Delaware. Often, when Theresa was out, a former student would approach her saying, “Mrs. Branson! You taught me in fourth grade!” and she would smile graciously, sincerely remembering that student. Her presence and influence were pervasive. Though Theresa retired from formal teaching in 1994, she volunteered at the Academy of Lifelong Learning, where she taught needlecraft, stenciling and theorem painting.
Theresa was a genuine aesthete, an advocate of the arts and a talented musician and artist. Her home is filled with beautiful needlepoints and rich paintings all created by her own hand. In 2006, Theresa played a role in the film, shot in Delaware, titled “’Alms,’ You Say,” written and directed by her nephew, Christopher Malinowski. Among her many incarnations – actress, artist, teacher, gardener, friend – Theresa’s most vivid embodiments were as a devoted wife, sister and aunt. She and Charlie shared an amazing, interesting and vigorous marriage, traveling, taking classes, lying on the beach and spending time on Nantucket Island and Lewes, close to the ocean, one of their favorite places to relax and play.
As sisters, Theresa and Elaine grew up in a world rich with stories, delicious food and humor. Their affection and respect for one another resonated through their laughing glances and embracing of their separate and mutual interests. Like a mother to her nieces and nephews, Aunt Theresa zealously participated in every aspect of their lives, coming to these events with joy, love and genuine good will. Theresa enjoyed traveling, walking on the beach, knitting, storytelling and sharing her life with her family and friends. Her beautiful, thoughtful presence will be missed.
Theresa was predeceased by her parents, Julia Capodonna Greggo and Alexander J. Greggo of Wilmington. Theresa is survived by her husband of 37 years, Charles Branson; her sister, Elaine Greggo and her husband Joseph Kossek of Townsend; her sister-in-law, Bunny Branson Rogowski and her husband Eddie Rogowski of Holland, Pa.; her nieces, Theresa Manucci of Wilmington, and Dr. Melanie Malinowski and her husband Dr. Andy Cunningham of Houston, Texas; her nephew, Christopher Malinowski of Landenberg, Pa.; her great-nephew, Dustin Manucci of Wilmington; and her great-nieces, Cassidy Manucci of Wilmington, and Echo Malinowski-Cunningham of Houston.
Visitation will be held 10:30 a.m.-noon, Thursday, July 24, at St. John the Beloved Church, 907 Milltown Road, Wilmington. A Mass of Christian Burial will begin at noon. Entombment will be held privately with her immediate family.
After the Mass, everyone is invited to a luncheon at the Deerfield Country Club, 507 Thompson Station Road, Newark. Please come and celebrate Theresa’s incredible life. Please omit flowers. Instead, the family encourages donations to the Tunnell Cancer Center, 18947 John J. Williams Highway, Rehoboth Beach, DE 19971; or the Delaware Hospice Center, 100 Patriots Way, Milford, DE 19963.
Arrangements by Doherty Funeral Homes.

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Mildred R. Owens, Silco retiree
Mildred R. Owens, 83, of Ellendale, passed away Friday, July 18, 2008 at Harrison Senior Living, in Georgetown.
Mildred was born in Milford, daughter of the late James Courtland Sr. and Cora I. Walls Smith.
She was a retail clerk with Silco in Milford and Milton for 20 years, retiring several years ago.
Mildred was a member of the Ellendale Fire Company Ladies Auxiliary and also Milford Church of the Nazarene.
In addition to her parents, Mildred is preceded in death by her husband, Morris Burton Owens Jr., in March 1999; two daughters, Grace Kay Owens and Joann Brittingham; and a brother, James C. Smith Jr.
She is survived by two sons, James H. Owens and his wife Joann of Farmington, and George R. Owens and his wife Susan of Ellendale; four daughters, Ida I.O. Smith and her husband Richard of Ellendale, Sally Hurd of Williamsville, Robin L. Kight and her husband Nick of Wilmington, and Rhonda L. Owens-Whitehouse and her husband Ron of Ellendale; six grandchildren, Kathi McCoy and her husband Ron, J.C. Owens and his wife Donna, Charles Owens, Kimberly Owens, Keri Owens and Katie Owens; four great-grandchildren, Faith Ann McCoy, Alex McCoy, Ryan McCoy and Luke Owens; four step-grandchildren, William Smith, Sheila Smith, Mary Smith and Rosalie Whitehouse; and a brother, George D. Smith of Ellendale.
A funeral service will be held at 1 p.m., Wednesday, July 23, in the chapel of Berry-Short Funeral Home, 119 NW Front St., Milford where friends may call Tuesday evening from 7 to 9 p.m. Burial will be in Barratt’s Chapel Cemetery, Frederica.
The family suggests contributions be made to Delaware Hospice, 100 Patriots Way, Milford, DE 19963; or American Kidney Foundation, 6110 Executive Blvd., Suite 1010, Rockville, MD 28052,

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Martina Biddle, governor’s employee
Martina “Tina” Biddle, 78, passed away Friday, July 18, 2008, at her daughter’s home near Georgetown.
She was the daughter of the late Peter and Elizabeth Rohr Kreutzer.
A former state of Delaware employee, Tina worked for five governors from Gov. Russell W. Peterson through Gov. Tom Carper. Tina was preceded in death by her husband, Charles E. Biddle Sr.; a grandson, Beau Biddle; seven sisters, Pauline Kreutzer, Magdeline Brungardt, Clara Richardson, Catherine Draper, Mary Schmidt, Odillia LaFontaine and Barbara Stahn; and two brothers, Herbert and Jacob Kreutzer.
Tina will be sadly missed by her son, Charles Biddle Jr. of Newark; her daughter, Joyce Mulhern and her husband Dick of Georgetown; four grandchildren, Keith Wilson and his wife Danielle of Annapolis, Md., Jessica Brown and her husband Keith of Georgetown, Casey Biddle and his wife Christy of Elkton, Md., and Karibeth Biddle and her fiancé Michael Dacko of Lewes; three great-grandchildren, Meredith and Ryan Wilson and Gage Baber Biddle; her twin brother, Frank Kreutzer of Arvada, Colo.; an older brother, Joseph Kreutzer of Baton Rouge, La., and her younger sister, Leona Fitzsimmons of San Leandro, Calif.; as well as numerous brothers- and sisters-in-law, cousins, nieces, nephews and dear friends.
Funeral services will be noon, Tuesday, July 22, at Daniels & Hutchison Funeral Home LLC, 212 North Broad St., Middletown, where family and friends may visit two hours prior to services. Interment will be in Townsend Cemetery.
IThe family suggests memorial donations to the American Cancer Society, 92 Reads Way, Suite 205, New Castle, DE 19720.

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Elsie L. Kee, enjoyed music
Elsie L. Kee, 87, a resident of Lewes since 1997, formerly of Philadelphia, died Thursday, July 17, 2008, at Harbor Healthcare, Lewes.
She was born in Philadelphia, the daughter of the late Cedric E. and Lillian B. Haig Knowles. She was a homemaker and enjoyed sewing, playing the organ and singing in the church choir. She was a past member of the Lewes Baptist Church. She was preceded in death by her husband, George Kee in 1997; and a brother, Robert E. Knowles.
She is survived by her sister, Marie McNamee and her husband Alfred of Lewes; a brother, Evan Knowles and his wife Patricia of Florida; one nephew; five nieces; and several great-nieces and -nephews.
Funeral services will be 11 a.m., Tuesday, July 22, in the chapel of Short Funeral Services, 416 Federal St., Milton, where friends may call after 10 a.m. Interment will be in Henlopen Memorial Park.
Contributions may be made to Delaware Hospice Center, 100 Patriots Way, Milford, DE 19963.

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Harry S. Rust, active in community
Harry S. Rust, of Milford, passed away Thursday, July 17, 2008, in Bayhealth-Milford Memorial Hospital after living 89 wonderful and happy years.
Mr. Rust was born Oct. 1, 1918, in Harbeson, son of the late William P. and Eva Sockrider Rust.
He graduated from Milford High School with the class of 1937. Mr. Rust was a veteran of the U.S. Army serving in the 69th Infantry Division in Europe during World War II. He was a member of the Milford Police Force after high school for a short time before entering the military.
After his tour of duty ended he took a position with the DuPont Company in Seaford where he remained employed for 38 years before retiring. During his time with DuPont, Mr. Rust, along with his wife, was also a local insurance agent and real estate broker. After retirement, he and his wife, Alma, who was his high school sweetheart, spent winters in Seminole, Fla., and summers in Slaughter Beach. For the past three years, they have been active residents of the Heritage at Milford. Mr. Rust was a member of the Odd Fellows (IOOF), the American Legion Post 3 in Milford, the Blue Hen VFW Post 6483 in Milford and was the Trail Master of the local chapter of the Holiday Rambler Club. He was a longtime member of the Avenue United Methodist Church in Milford.
He is survived by his wife of 70 years, Alma Rust; a daughter and son-in-law, Joyce (Rust) and Terry Feulner of Walnut, Calif., and their children, Kimberly Vetter and her husband Tracy of Corona Hills, Calif., and Wendy Wyatt and her husband Charlie of Oceanside, Calif.; a son and daughter-in-law, Ronald and Margaret Rust of Wilmington, and their children, Heather Rust and Kim Lettner of Farmville, Va., Michelle Rust of Beverly, Mass., Lowell Rust and his wife Debbie of Easley, S.C., Bryan Rust of Rehoboth, and Ashley Rust of Wilmington; and eight great-grandchildren, Tyler Vetter, Samantha Vetter, Hannah Wyatt, Connor Wyatt, Ben Rust, Delaney Rust, Grace Rust and Harry Rust.
A memorial service was held in the Avenue United Methodist Church, Milford, with burial private.
Instead of flowers, the family has requested memorial contributions to the Avenue United Methodist Church Choir Fund, 20 N. Church St., Milford, DE 19963. Arrangements handled by Rogers Funeral Home, Milford.

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George J. Tugend, retired postmaster
George J. Tugend, 85, of Dover, formerly of Delaware City, died on Wednesday, July 16, 2008, at Westminster Health Center, Dover.
A native Delawarean, Mr. Tugend was born in Wilmington on July 30, 1922, son of the late George Tugend and Addie Washam Tugend.
He enjoyed a 30-year career with the U.S. Postal Service and was the longest-serving postmaster in Delaware City before his retirement in 1979. Active in his community throughout his life, Mr. Tugend was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Delaware City and a life member of Jackson Lodge 19, AF & AM. He was a former member of the Delaware City Recreation Club and the Delaware City Volunteer Fire Co. He also bowled on both the Delaware City and Getty Oil bowling teams.
An avid fan of the Phillies and the Eagles, he also greatly enjoyed bowling, fishing and the beach. Mr. Tugend looked forward to traveling with his wife, especially to their vacation home in Florida. Both kind and generous by nature, he was loved and respected by all those fortunate to have known him.
He is survived by his devoted and loving wife of 58 years, Emilie Everett Tugend; and his beloved daughter, Georgia Lea Tugend and her husband David H. Fischbach of Lewes.
The family extends their heartfelt thanks to the staff of Westminster Health Center for their many kindnesses to Mr. Tugend during his illness.
A funeral service will be 11:30 a.m. Tuesday, July 22, at the Spicer-Mullikin Funeral Home, 214 Clinton St., Delaware City, where friends may call after 10 a.m. A Masonic service will be held at 11:15 a.m. Interment will be in St. Georges Cemetery, Kirkwood-St. Georges Road, St. Georges.
Instead of flowers, contributions may be made to the First Presbyterian Church of Delaware City, P.O. Box 4105, Delaware City, DE 19706.

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Herbert R. Shupard, owned tackle business
Herbert R. Shupard Sr., 94, of Rehoboth Beach, passed away on Friday, July 18, 2008, at Beebe Medical Center in Lewes. He was born April 24, 1914, in Holmes, Pa., son of the late Ralph and Margaret Bryan Shupard.
Mr. Shupard served with the Civil Conservation Corps during the Depression years. He then worked as a welder first at Sun Ship in Chester, Pa., then at Gulf Oil in Philadelphia, Pa., followed by service with Air Products in Boothwyn, Pa.
In 1970 he opened Herb’s Bait & Tackle in Dewey Beach, which he operated until 1997, when he retired at the age of 83.
He truly loved his business and enjoyed talking “fishing” with his many customers over the years.
Herb and his wife spent their winters vacationing and fishing in Marathon, one of the islands in the Florida Keys.
He loved to fish the bridges at night for snook and tarpon and did so until he was 91 years old.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his first wife, Florence Elizabeth “Betty” Shupard.
He is survived by his second wife of 22 years, Marjorie Phillips Shupard; his son Herbert S. Shupard Jr.; three grandchildren, Tammy Brandt of Sterling, Va., Amy Shupard of Rehoboth Beach, and Geoffrey Shupard of Dewey Beach; his brother, Howard Shupard of Boothwyn, Pa.; three stepdaughters, Connie Alexander of Middletown, and June Ellis and Melanie Giangrant, both of Dover; five stepgrandchildren; and six step-great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.
Services were held at Parsell Funeral Homes & Crematorium, Lewes, with interment in All Saints’ Cemetery near Angola.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions be made to the Delaware Hospice Center, 100 Patriots Way, Milford, DE 19963; or to the Epworth United Methodist Church Building Fund, 19825 Holland Glade Road, Rehoboth Beach, DE 19971.

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Elaine A. LePere, owned daycare facility
Elaine A. Celli LePere, 60, of New Castle, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by her loving family on Monday, July 14, 2008, after a long, courageous battle with cancer.
Elaine touched many lives in ways she never even realized. She had a heart of gold and will always be remembered for her generosity and unbelievable strength. She had a love for children and it showed in the 19 years of having a daycare. She also made many wonderful friends and memories while working at For Your Nails Only.
Elaine was the daughter of the late Abraham “Lou” and Regina Celli.
She was also preceded in death by her brothers Louis, William and Patrick; and sisters Denise Celli Davis and Teresa Celli. She is survived by her loving husband of 25 years, Dennis; three children, Teresa Smith of Newark, Danielle Smith of New Castle, and Patrick LePere (PZ) and his wife Nicki of Bear; and six grandchildren, Connor, Peyton, Madison, Kylie, Gabrielle and Dominic, all of whom she loved dearly.
She is also survived by her four brothers, Donald (Duck) Celli of Wilmington, Harry (Jack) Celli and his wife Doris, Joe (Bundo) Celli and his wife Pat, all of New Castle, Ronald Celli and his wife Sharon of Lewes; two sisters, Marie Celli and Dolores Bennett and her husband Wallace, all of New Castle.
Elaine was also survived and greatly loved by numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
A Mass of Christian Burial was held at St. Peter’s Roman Catholic Church, New Castle, with interment in Gracelawn Memorial Park, New Castle.
The family wishes to thank the staff of Medical Oncology Hematology Consultants and also the staff of Compassionate Care Hospice for their compassion and extraordinary care during this time.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions in Elaine’s name to Helen F. Graham Cancer Center, 4701 Ogletown-Stanton Rd., Suite 2200, Newark, DE 19713-2055.

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Blonnie Vera McCall, Millsboro native
Blonnie Vera Sammons McCall, 83, of Lewes, died Wednesday, July 16, 2008.
Mrs. McCall was born March 21, 1925, in Millsboro.
She was preceded in death by her parents and grandparents; her husband, John McCall; one daughter, Sandra Kaye Sammons; one sister; and three brothers.
She is survived by her devoted daughter, Fern Sammons Bliss-Morgan of Camden, N.J.; her granddaughter, Stacey Bliss Rickets; three great-grandchildren, Stacia, Galya and Craig of Houston, Texas; two sisters, Rochelle Nock and Vivian Johnson; two brothers, Crawford and Harlin Johnson; and an adopted son, David Tull of Millsboro; as well as her extended family - the staff and residents of the former Lewes Convalescent Center and the Millsboro Renaissance Nursing Rehabilitation Center, as well as a host of relatives and many friends.
Funeral services will be 1 p.m., Thursday, July 24, at the Watson Funeral Home, 211 S. Washington St., Millsboro, where a viewing will be held from noon to 1 p.m. Pastor Colby Matlock will officiate.
Interment will be in Harmony United Methodist Church Cemetery, Millsboro.

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