03/27/09

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Joanne Isaacs, Lewes resident
Joanne Isaacs, 51, of Lewes, died Wednesday, March 18, 2009.
Funeral services will be at 10 a.m., Friday March 27, at Parsell Funeral Homes & Crematorium, Atkins-Lodge Chapel, 16961 Kings Highway, Lewes, where friends may call after 9 a.m. Burial will be private.
In lieu of flowers contributions are suggested to the SPCA, 22918 DuPont Blvd., Georgetown, DE 19947.
Arrangements by Parsell Funeral Enterprises Inc., Lewes.

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Elizabeth E. Unruh, retired organist
Elizabeth E. “Betty” Unruh, 91, of Wilmington, passed away Monday, March 23, 2009.
She was a retired organist at Peniel United Methodist Church and McCrery Funeral Homes. Betty was a member of Peniel United Methodist Church and former member of the American Guild of Organists, the Delaware Valley Iris Society, the Diamond State Iris Society and the American Iris Society.
Her husband of 65 years, F. Ralston Unruh, died in 2000. She is survived by her children, Frederic L. Unruh and his wife Jean of Lewes, Carolyn M. Biggs, and Bonnie K. McDonald and her husband Patrick, all of Wilmington; seven grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren, and two great-great-granddaughters.
A funeral service will be held at 10 a.m., Saturday, March 28, at Peniel United Methodist Church, 115 E. Market St., Newport. Friends may call from 6 to 8 p.m., Friday, March 27, at the McCrery Memorial Chapel, 3710 Kirkwood Highway at Duncan Road.
Contributions may be made to Peniel United Methodist Church.

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Frances G. Passwaters, practical nurse
Frances G. Passwaters, 82, of Smyrna, passed away Monday, March 23, 2009, at Silver Lake Center, Dover. She was born in Smyrna, the daughter of the late Charles Clifford George and the late Maddie Chadwick George. Mrs. Passwaters was employed as an LPN at the Delaware Hospital for the Chronically Ill, Smyrna, for over 30 years, and after retirement moved to Lewes and worked at Beebe Medical Center for over 15 years. She was one of the founding members of the Smyrna Cotillion. She was preceded in death by a son, Michael J. Passwaters; and by her former husband, Joe Passwaters. She is survived by two grandsons, Nathan and Matthew Passwaters, both of San Diego, Calif.; a nephew, Earl George of Leipsic; two nieces, Nancy Knight of Dover, and Pat Musto of Smyrna; and a sister-in-law, Florence Engram of Dover. Services will be 11 a.m., Monday, March 30, at Matthews-Bryson Funeral Home, 123 W. Commerce St., Smyrna, where friends may call at 10 a.m. Burial will be in Odd Fellows Cemetery, Smyrna. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be sent to Asbury United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 330, Smyrna, DE 19977.

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Candace Mae Schorah, infant daughter
Candace Mae Schorah, beloved infant daughter of Heather and Michael Schorah, died Tuesday, March 24, 2009, at Christiana Hospital in Newark.
Candace was born and passed away in the caring presence of family and friends, who held her and loved her. In her brief life, she showed both great strength and a peaceful, loving spirit. She will be greatly missed.
In addition to her parents, she is survived by her brother, Max Schorah, at home in New Castle; paternal grandparents, Irene and James Schorah of Lewes; maternal grandparents, Jerilynn and Terry Hinrichs of New Castle; paternal great-grandfather, Ellis Schorah of New Castle; and many extended family members and friends.
Services will be held privately.

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Margaret M. Maney, retired secretary
Margaret M. “Marge” Maney, 69, died peacefully at home Monday, March 23, 2009, surrounded by her loving family.
Marge was born and raised in Wilmington and was a graduate of Ursuline Academy and Goldey Beacom Junior College. She was a secretary for the DuPont Co., retiring in 2001 after 41 years of service. She enjoyed cooking, Blue Rocks and Phillies games, vacationing at the Delaware seashore, and spending time with her children and grandchildren.
Marge was the daughter of the late Thomas and Mary Roman. She was predeceased by her husband, Theodore L. “Ted” Maney, who died in 1995. She is survived by her sons Michael T. Maney and his wife Tristan of Lewes, and First Sgt. (U.S. Army active) Stephen R. Maney and his wife Amber of Copperas Cove, Texas; her brother, Thomas Roman of Newark; and three grandchildren, Hannah, Kathryn and Chase.
Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 9:30 a.m., Friday, March 27, at St. Ann’s Church, Gilpin Avenue and Union Street, Wilmington. Interment will be in Silverbrook Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to St. Ann’s Church, 2013 Gilpin Ave., Wilmington, DE 19806; or the American Cancer Society, 92 Reads Way, New Castle, DE 19720.
Arrangements by Doherty Funeral Home.

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Jhy’Mez Garrison, died at birth
Jhy’Mez Jaylen We’Love Garrison, died at birth on March 18, 2009, in Beebe Medical Center, Lewes. Funeral services were held Thursday, March 26, at Bennie Smith Funeral Home, Millsboro, with burial in Zoar Golden Acres Cemetery, Millsboro. Arrangements by Bennie Smith Funeral Home, Millsboro.

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Grace P. Way, avid walker
Grace P. Way, 96, of Elsmere, died Monday, March 23, 2009, at her home.
Grace, a native Delawarean, was born Feb. 27, 1913, in Wilmington. A talented homemaker, she greatly enjoyed gardening around her home each spring and summer. Grace was an avid walker and active in her community throughout her life, serving on the Elsmere Election Board for many years. She was a devout Christian and a longtime member of Greenhill Presbyterian Church.
She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, James N. Way, in 1975. She is survived by her devoted grandson, Thomas H. Smith Jr. and his girlfriend Bonnie J. Rae of New Castle; beloved great-grandson, Chris T. Smith of New Castle; and brother, Bill Petticord of Lehigh Acres, Fla. She is also survived by her daughter, Susan W. Smith of Rehoboth Beach.
A funeral service will be held at 10 a.m., Friday, March 27, at Spicer-Mullikin Funeral Home, 121 W. Park Place, Newark. Interment will follow in Silverbrook Memorial Park, Lancaster Avenue and DuPont Road, Wilmington.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to City Fare, 1703 W. 10th St., Wilmington, DE 19805. City Fare is a not-for-profit agency helping older adults in the City of Wilmington maintain their health, independence and quality of life.

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Robinson O’Neal Maull, farm worker
Robinson “Dickie” O’Neal Maull, 81, of Lewes, died Monday, March 23, 2009, at the Delmar Nursing Home where he had been a patient for the past eight years. Dickie, as he was known to family members and friends, was born March 14, 1928, in Lewes, to the late Elizabeth Maull. Dickie went to live with his uncle and aunt, Clarence and Loretta Maull Norwood, at the age of 9, where he helped to operate the farm on a daily basis. Dickie enjoyed coming to town to shop and visit other family and friends. Dickie was a member of Israel United Methodist Church. He is survived by many cousins of the late Clarence P. and Loretta Maull Norwood, families and friends. Services will be noon, Friday, March 27, at Israel United Methodist Church, Plantation Road, Lewes, where friends may call two hours prior. Arrangements by Miller Funeral Services.

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Berniece C. Holler, loved the beach
Berniece C. Holler, 84, of Lewes, died Sunday, Feb. 15, 2009, at Delaware Hospice Center in Milford.
She was born in Harrisburg, Pa., the daughter of the late Merl Franklin and Mary Margaret Fissel.
Mrs. Holler worked as a state employee for the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation. She was mostly a homebody, but enjoyed working in her garden and yard. She loved the beach, and shopping. She could be ornery at times, but respected other people’s views and opinions.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Kenneth Holler Sr.
Survivors include her son, Kenneth D. Holler Jr.; a daughter, Connie Rose Holler; a brother, James Roy Fissel; and a sister, Emma Jane Snavely.
Special thanks to the Delaware Hospice Center for their unending care and attention to Mrs. Holler during her stay. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Delaware Hospice, 911 S. DuPont Highway, Dover, DE 19901.
Graveside services were Friday, Feb. 19, at St. Johns Church Cemetery in Mechanicsburg, Pa.

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George H. Harrison, business owner
George H. Harrison, 81, of Long Neck, formerly of Georgetown, passed away Monday, March 23, 2009, at the Renaissance Health Care Center in Long Neck, surrounded by his loving family.
He was born October 21, 1927, in Winston-Salem, N.C., to the late William and Hilda Harrison.
He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II and the Korean War. He was eventually stationed in Cape May, N.J.
After the Navy George settled in Georgetown and started a new and used furniture business known as “The Swap Shop.” He was a self-made entrepreneur with several different businesses, ranging from the installation of storm windows to the demolition of buildings from the March 1962 storm. He went on to build several homes in the Cabbage Corner area of Georgetown before becoming a cofounder of Leisure Point Resort in Long Neck, which he constructed and operated until 1973. In the early 1990s, he established Delaware Home Inc. in the old Otis Smith fish plant in Lewes and produced the first 14-foot-wide mobile home in Delaware. He later moved to Florida and owned and operated Orange Grove Campground in Kissimmee, Fla. During his stay in Florida he built and operated mini-warehouses and also operated a mobile home community, Hidden Valley, for a Des Moines, Iowa savings and loan association. George also lived in Littleton, N.C., where he was active in the Lakeside Lutheran Church.
He was a 32nd degree Master Mason. George’s passion was stock cars and airplanes. He held a private pilot’s license and was an avid race car fan and driver at racetracks in Delaware, Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Florida.
He was preceded in death by his second wife, Jeannie Harrison, in 2006.
He is survived by his first wife, Thelma Corso of Long Neck; two daughters, June Marie Johnson and her husband Wayne of Long Neck, and Carol Dodd and her husband Wayne of Milford; a son, Dick Harrison and his wife Gladys of Long Neck; his sister, Betty J. Estep of Middletown; five grandchildren, Brian Johnson and his wife Robin of Georgetown, Frank Johnson of Wilmington, Duane Dodd of Felton, Christopher Harrison and his wife Melinda of Long Neck, and Jill Harrison of Long Neck; five great-grandchildren, Peyton and Cole Johnson of Wilmington, Brandon Dodd of Felton, Christopher and Zachary Harrison of Long Neck; and several nieces and nephews.
A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m., Saturday, March 28, at the Long Neck chapel of Melson Funeral Services, 32013 Long Neck Road in Millsboro, where friends may call after 1:30 p.m. Burial will be private.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions in George’s memory to Delaware Hospice Center, 100 Patriots Way, Milford, DE 19963.

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Gerald Lee Hitchens, retired carpenter
Gerald Lee Hitchens, 65, of Millsboro, went home to be with the Lord Monday, March 23, 2009. Gerald was preceded in death by his parents James and Jerdie Oliphant Hitchens; and a brother-in-law, Jimmy Robinson.
He retired with 42 years of service from the Local 2012 Union working as a carpenter. Gerald, a faithful man, served the Lord as a past board member, as a member and as a Sunday school teacher at the Gumboro Wesleyan Church.
He attended the Shiloh United Methodist Church near Laurel and served his community as a 38-year member of the Dagsboro Fire Company, most recently as the chaplain. Gerald was a past member of the Elks Lodge and a member of the Millsboro Little League Grounds Crew where he also volunteered many hours in the concession stand.
He is survived by his wife of 36 years, Linda M. Wootten Hitchens; a daughter, Melody L. Hitchens and friend Ed Jackson; sons, Robert A. Mears and wife Katrina, and Craig S. Mears and wife Tammy; and his grandsons of whom he was extremely proud, Lance, Kyle, Trey and Shawn Mears.
He is also survived by brothers, Vernon Hitchens and wife Grace Ann, Paul Hitchens and wife Norma Lee; sisters, Thelma Banks and husband Sherman, Barbara Scott and husband Alton, Janice Robinson, Debbie Cordrey and husband Denny, Bonnie Abbott, and their families.
Funeral services were Thursday, March 26, at the Watson Funeral Home, Millsboro, with interment in Carey’s Cemetery, Millsboro.
In lieu of flowers the family suggests donations in Gerald’s memory to the Delaware Hospice Center, 100 Patriots Way, Milford, DE 19963.

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Joanne Summerville, former Lewes resident
Joanne Sheppard Summerville, of Philadelphia, Pa., formerly of Lewes, died Wednesday, March 12, 2009, of natural causes in St. Agnes Hospital in Philadelphia. She is survived by a son, Frazer; sisters, Maggie, Jurlene, Valeria, LaJuan, Regina, Mary Etta and Sharon; brothers, Donzell, Darnell, Calvin, Mervin, James, Reginald and Randy.
Graveside services were held Tuesday, March 24, at St. John’s 2nd Baptist Church, Millsboro. Professional services by Deborah E. Harris-Nock Funeral Services, Greenwood.

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Annabelle R. Castiglione, Milton resident
Annabelle R. Castiglione, 89, of Milton, formerly of New Castle, passed away Sunday, March 22, 2009, at Beebe Medical Center, Lewes.
Mrs. Castiglione was predeceased by her husband, Dominick J. Castiglione. She is survived by her son, John R. and his wife Joyce Castiglione of Milton; a brother, Theodore Rohman and his wife Virginia of Hallowell, Maine; a brother-in-law, Alfred Castiglione; grandchildren, Gayle McFadden and her husband David, and Mark Castiglione of New Castle; five great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.
Services were held Thursday, March 26, at Gebhart Funeral Home, Old New Castle, with interment at Glebe Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Lung Association, 1021 Gilpin Ave., Ste. 202, Wilmington DE 19806.

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John A. Wheeler, company president
John A. Wheeler, 62, died tragically after being struck by a car while jogging near his home in Landenberg, Pa.
He was the president of Wheeler, Wolfenden and Dwares PA, with offices in Wilmington, Kennett Square, Pa., and Lewes. John was an avid golfer. He was a longtime baseball coach in the North Brandywine Baseball League, Delaware Babe Ruth and the Piedmont Babe Ruth Leagues. He was an active member of the Promise Keepers.
John is survived by his loving wife of 15 years, Carol Wheeler; a son, John M. Wheeler and his wife Rachel and precious grandchildren Michael, Matthew and Megan of Treasure Island, Fla.; a daughter, Marjorie Wheeler of Wilmington; and a stepson, Eric Hanna, wife Kate and precious grandchildren Isabel and Molly of Wilmington. John is also survived by two sisters, Jennifer Wheeler of Easton, Md., and Beverly Weaver of St. Louis, Mo.; a brother, Wolcott Wheeler of New York City and a loving mother-in-law, Janice Cole.
Family and friends are invited to visit from 5 to 8 p.m., Friday, March 27, at Chandler Funeral Homes, 2506 Concord Pike, Wilmington. Burial will be private in Naples, Fla.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to the John A. Wheeler Charity Fund, 4550 New Linden Hill Road, No. 201, Wilmington, DE 19808. These contributions will be distributed to various charities.