02/20/09

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Lawrence G. Cleary, decorated Marine
Lawrence G. Cleary, 77, of Millsboro, passed away peacefully Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2009, at Beebe Medical Center in Lewes.
He was a member of the American Legion Post 28 of Millsboro and VFW Post 7234 of Ocean View.
He joined the U.S. Marine Corps in July, 1948 and served through Oct. 1951. He was a decorated Marine (Semper Fi). He fought in the Korean War and was one the “Chosen Few.”
He is survived by his wife of 57 years; seven children; six grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.
He will be dearly missed by family and friends.
Services will be held at noon, Tuesday, Feb. 24, at the chapel of Melson Funeral Services on Long Neck Road in Millsboro, where friends may call after 11 a.m.
Burial with military honors will be at the Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Millsboro following the funeral.

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Alma J. Crump, DuPont retiree
Alma J. Crump, 88, of Millsboro, formerly of Wilmington, passed away peacefully Tuesday Feb. 17, 2009, at her daughter’s home, surrounded by her loving family.
She was born in Upland, Pa., daughter to the late Elmer and May Longhurst Johnson. Alma was an export documentation clerk for the Film Department of the DuPont Company in Wilmington, retiring after 30 years of service.
She was a longtime member of the Reformed Episcopal Church. She enjoyed genealogy, reading, gardening and spending time with her family. Alma was a two-time survivor of breast cancer.
Along with her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, the Rev. Robert G. Crump; her sister, Elsie Goebel; and grandson, James Alan Unruh.
She is survived by two daughters, Emily Blanchard of Georgetown, and Roberta “Bobbie” Unruh and her husband Alan of Georgetown; four grandchildren, Kay Rabe and her husband Tim of Wilmington, Robert Knox and his wife Virginia of Middletown, Deborah Miller and her husband Paul of Hockessin, and Daniel Unruh and his wife Melissa of Dumfries, Va.; and seven great-grandchildren.
A funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m., Monday, Feb. 23, at the chapel of Melson Funeral Services, 32013 Long Neck Road, Millsboro, where friends may call after 9:30 a.m. Interment will be at 2 p.m., Monday, at Silverbrook Cemetery, 3300 Lancaster Pike, Wilmington.
In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorial contributions in Alma’s memory to Long Neck U.M. Church, 32051 Long Neck Road, Millsboro, DE 19966.

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Byard ‘Boz” Widdoes, great family man
Byard “Boz” J. Widdoes, 57, of Lewes, passed away Monday, Feb. 16, 2009, at Beebe Medical Center in Lewes.
Mr. Widdoes was born Jan. 26, 1952, in Wilmington, son of Byard R. Widdoes of Old New Castle and the late Kathleen M. Quill Widdoes.
Mr. Widdoes was a family man first and foremost. The love of his life and the lady behind his strength was his wife of 34 wonderful years, Maryellen. He loved his family, especially his six grandchildren and the role of “PopPop.”
Boz graduated from the Salesianum School where he played in the Blue Gold game of 1970. He also played touch football and ice hockey. In his early years, he participated in Delaware Park boxing and won many titles. He was a true sportsman.
Boz was the owner of Boz Widdoes & Sons Construction Co. of Sussex County. He enjoyed the great outdoors and nature. He had an inner strength for always forging ahead despite hurdles placed in his way; he was admired for his physical and inner strength. He was absolutely devoted to his wife, children and grandchildren. He was a member of St. Edmond’s Catholic Church, Rehoboth Beach.
In addition to his father, he is survived by his wife Maryellen Igo Widdoes; four daughters, Kelly Widdoes of Milton, Katie Bragg and her husband Jason of Milton, Maggie Wilson and her husband Andrew of Manchester, Conn., and Maryellen “Babe” Widdoes of Milton; three sons, Timothy B. Widdoes and his fiancee Ashley E. Kaufman of Newark, Byard “Bo” Widdoes of Lewes and James Widdoes of Lewes; six grandchildren, Kiya Cochran, Will Bragg, Kelly Bragg, Ayva Mock, Bo Mock and Makaela Wilson; two sisters, Kathleen Neyers and her husband Richard of Hockessin, and Susan Widdoes of New Castle; a brother, Timothy M. Widdoes and his wife Karen of Newark; and many nieces and nephews whom he loved dearly.
In addition to his mother, he was preceded in death by Stephen Brooks, who was the longtime companion of Maryellen “Babe” Widdoes and was like a member of the family.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:30 a.m., Friday, Feb. 20, at St. Edmond’s Catholic Church, King Charles Avenue and Laurel Street, Rehoboth Beach. Friends may call at the church beginning at 10 a.m. Interment will be at Epworth Methodist Cemetery, Rehoboth Beach. Arrangements are being handled by Parsell Funeral Enterprises Inc., Lewes.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions be made to Gift of Life Donor Program, 401 North 3rd St., Philadelphia, PA 19123.

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Richard Buckingham Jr., real estate appraiser
Richard Gilpin Buckingham Jr., 59, of Dagsboro, died Monday, Jan. 19, 2009, at his home. He was born April 25, 1949, in Bethesda, Md., son of the late Richard Gilpin Buckingham Sr. and Rose Williams Buckingham.
Mr. Buckingham graduated from Gettysburg College, class of 1971. He resided in Rockville, Md., until 2001 when he relocated to Delaware.
While living in Rockville, he was employed as a real estate appraiser in the firm of J. Hunter Pugh Jr. for 22 years. He was also a member of the National Skeet Association, and in the 1990s he was an officer of the Isaac Walton Wildlife Achievement Chapter. For many years he served as treasurer on the board of trustees of the Rockville Academy.
After moving to Delaware, he served as secretary to the Delaware Skeet Association. Since 2007, he held full-time positions as a sales consultant with Johnny Janosik Inc. in Laurel and as a real estate appraiser reviewer for the state of Maryland.
Mr. Buckingham is survived by two sisters, Ellen Buckingham and her life partner William Perry Clark of Rockville and Jane Buckingham Garofalo and her husband Gary Anthony Garofalo of Sacramento, Calif.; and two nephews, Christopher Drake Lundell of New York, N.Y., and David Eastburne Lundell of Brooklyn, N.Y.
A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday, March 14, at Christ Episcopal Church, 107 S. Washington St., Rockville. Arrangements are being handled by Parsell Funeral Enterprises Inc., Clarksville. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to Trustees of the Rockville Academy, c/o Stephen Cromwell, president, 3834 Glen Eagles Drive, Silver Spring, MD 20906.

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Joseph Emory Downs, loved his family
Joseph Emory Downs, 60, of Selbyville, passed away Monday, Feb. 16, 2009, at home.
Joe enjoyed camping, playing horseshoes and country music. He was quick to help you if you needed a hand. He loved being with his family more than anything in the world.
His parents, Francis E. and Margaret E. Hamblin Downs, predecease him, and a brother, Cecil Downs, in 2005.
He is survived by his wife of 26 years, Beverly P. Downs; sons, Joseph Richardson of Salisbury, Md., Paul Downs and wife Lori of Salisbury, and Richard Downs and wife Jamie of Laurel; daughters, Michelle Haldeman and husband Brian of Seaford, and Nicole Baker and husband BJ of Georgetown; sisters, Savannah Serman and husband Dennis of Selbyville, Cheryl Fisher and husband Kevin of Millsboro; and sister-in-law Faye Downs of Selbyville; seven grandchildren, Heather, Brian, Danielle, Gena, Kyle, Kara and Chloe; two great-grandchildren, Shawn and Makala; and a host of extended family and friends.
Services were held Thursday, Feb. 19, with Pastor Bob Hudson officiating and burial in Roxana Cemetery, Roxana.
In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to Delaware Hospice, 100 Patriots Way, Milford, DE 19963.
Arrangements by Watson Funeral Home, 211 S. Washington St., Millsboro.

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David Speicher Sr., retired mail carrier
David C. "Everett" Speicher Sr., 85, of Bridgeville died Monday, Feb. 16, 2009, at his home.
Mr. Speicher was born in Greenwood, the son of the late Harry Earl and Emma Hochstedler Speicher. He graduated from Greenwood High School, class of 1941. He proudly served in the U.S. Army 1944-46. He was attached to the military police when he was stationed in Ft. Myer, Va.
Mr. Speicher was a rural mail carrier for the town of Bridgeville from 1954 to 1983. He was a member and former trustee of Union UMC in Bridgeville, American Legion Post 6 in Seaford, and Community Development and Housing Division for 21 years. He was also a former member of Bridgeville Lions Club. He was active in the Republican Party. He also served as state representative from 1953 to 1954. In addition, he served five years as sergeant-at-arms at the Delaware House of Representatives.
Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by three brothers; one sister; and a granddaughter, Joanna Speicher. He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Charlotte Donovan Speicher; two children, Daryl E. Speicher and wife Denise of Laurel, and David C. Speicher Jr. and wife Kim of Seaford; four grandchildren, Danielle Glunt and husband David, D. Clarke Speicher III, Stacy L. Speicher and Matt Lank; and one sister, Zelda Tobin of Milton.
Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 21, at the Union United Methodist Church, Laws and Market streets, Bridgeville. Friends may call from 6 to 8 p.m., Friday, Feb. 20, at Fleischauer Funeral Home, 16 W. Market St., Greenwood, and at the church from noon to 1 p.m., Saturday. Interment will be held at St. Johnstown Cemetery in Greenwood.