04/14/09

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Freda D. Timmons, enjoyed sewing
Freda Duncan Timmons, 67, of Millsboro, formerly of Bealeton, Va., passed away Sunday, April 12, 2009, at the Delaware Hospice Center in Milford.
She was born in Glasgow, Scotland, daughter of the late Freddie and Helen Duncan. Freda was deeply devoted to her family and enjoyed sewing, stained glass work and gardening. Mrs. Timmons was a member of the Order of Eastern Star Wimodausis chapter 106 in Manassas, Va.
She is survived by her loving husband of 42 years, Melvin “Buddy” Timmons; two daughters, Helen Timmons and Heather Timmons; and three siblings, May Bekusch, Betty Martin and William Duncan.
A memorial service will be held at 6 p.m., Monday, April 20, at the Long Neck Chapel of Melson Funeral Services, 32013 Long Neck Road, where friends and family may call after 5 p.m. Interment will be at 10 a.m., Tuesday, April 21, in the Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Millsboro. In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorial contributions in Freda’s name to the Delaware Hospice Center, 100 Patriots Way, Milford, DE 19963.

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Sarah Vela Welch, graphic designer
Sarah Vela Welch, 69, of Stevensville, Md., died Friday, April 10, 2009, due to an automobile accident.
Sarah was born July 26, 1939, in Washington, D.C. She was the daughter of the late Joseph William Wells and Vela Harmon. She graduated from Theodore Roosevelt High School class of 1957. Mrs. Welch attended Chamberlin Vocational School where she studied graphic printing. She worked for Tidewater Publishing in Centreville, Md., Merkle Press in Washington and DeLancey Printing in Alexandria, Va. She was a member of the Graphic Communication International Union Local 72C. Mrs. Welch retired in 2002.
On Aug. 1, 1959, she married Noel Douglas Welch of Washington, D.C. They raised their family in Stevensville. Sarah was always active in the Kent Island Methodist Church where she was in the choir and the United Methodist Women’s Aglow fellowship. She and her husband enjoyed traveling throughout North America in their motor home. Sarah also enjoyed gardening, but most important to her was her family.
Sarah is survived by her loving husband, Noel Douglas Welch Sr. of Stevensville; three sons, Noel Douglas Welch Jr. of Millsboro, Paul Stuart Welch of Grasonville, Md., and Joseph Leslie Welch of Denton, Md.; three daughters, Catherine Renee Siok of Arnold, Md., Patricia Anne Joyce of Guyton, Ga., and Lois Elaine Lee of Easton, Md.; two sisters, Martha White of Laurel and Nancy Goetz of Leesburg, Fla.; and 13 grandchildren, C. Stephen Bronson, Rodgers Joyce, Krysta H. Siok, William D. Platt, Jillian L. Siok, Dallas P. Siok, Dakota T. Siok, Aaron S. Welch, Gregory D. Welch, Christopher M. Welch, Kimberly A. Lee, Liam A. Welch and Lillian G. Welch. She is preceded in death by Jennifer L. Platt.
Family and friends are welcome to attend the viewing from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m., Tuesday, April 14. A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m., Wednesday, April 15, at Kent Island Methodist Church, 2739 Cox Neck Road, Chester, Md. Burial will follow the funeral service at Woodlawn Memorial Park in Easton. Contributions may be made to KIUMC Building Fund, P.O. Box 308, Chester, MD 21619.

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J. Earl Spellman, retired manager
J. Earl Spellman, a seven-year resident of Willow Valley Manor, died Friday, April 10, 2009.
Born Sept. 21, 1918, in Washington, N.J., he was the son of the late Charles A. Sr. and Waneta Mertz Spellman of West Chester, Pa. He would have been married to Virginia Morris Spellman for 67 years this May.
Active in scouting for many years, Earl attained the rank of Eagle Scout. Mr. Spellman was a 1941 graduate of Penn State University, where he was a member of Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity. While at Penn State he played on the baseball and soccer teams. During his last two years in college he played baseball in the Philadelphia Athletics farm system. He was also a member of the Penn State Pioneers, with more than 50 years of loyal and dedicated service to the university.
Upon graduation from Penn State, Mr. Spellman first worked for General Electric in Philadelphia, working on electric guided torpedoes during World War II. He later became production manager of Schramm Air Compressor Co. in West Chester. In 1950 he joined the DuPont Co. as a senior machine tool consultant, retiring in 1977. He then became a consultant for Unicorn Industries, based in London, UK, for several years. He was a member of the Willow Street United Church of Christ, and a former member of the Unionville Presbyterian Church, where he served as an elder.
In addition to his wife, Virginia, Mr. Spellman is survived by a daughter, Beverly, wife of the late Martin Paul, of Annapolis, Md., and two sons, Dr. John Spellman, married to the former Barbara Wood of West Chester, and Dr. James Spellman, husband of the former Deborah Rice, of Lewes; 10 grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his two brothers, Charles A. Spellman Jr. and Dr. Elwood M. Spellman; and his sister Claudine Spellman Bischoff.
A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday, April 18, in the Orr Auditorium of Willow Valley Manor, 211 Willow Valley Square, Lancaster, Pa. The family will greet friends immediately following the memorial service.
Private interment will be held at the convenience of the family.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hospice of Lancaster County, 685 Good Drive, P.O. Box 4125, Lancaster, PA 17604; or to the memorial fund of Willow Street United Church of Christ, 2723 Willow Street Pike, Willow Street, PA 17584. Arrangements by Kearney A. Snyder Funeral Home.

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Richard P. Shumway, retired tax preparer
Richard Preston Shumway, 77, of Millsboro, passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family and friends Friday, April 3, 2009, at his home.
Mr. Shumway was born in Minneapolis, Minn., Jan. 25, 1932, son of the late Ciyd and Margaret Jones Shumway. He graduated from the University of Minnesota with a bachelor’s degree in 1958. Rich was a veteran of the Korean War, serving in the U.S. Air Force. He was a CPA for the Nuclear Regulatory Commission in Gaithersburg, Md., retiring in 1994. After retirement he moved to the Millsboro area where he was a self-employed tax preparer.
Richard played football throughout his earlier years and was an avid Redskins fan.
Richard was very loved and respected by everyone he came in contact with. He was a devoted husband, father, Pop-pop and a friend to all.
Rich was the past commander, first vice commander and finance officer at the American Legion Post 105 in Bethesda, Md., a member and the first vice commander at the American Legion Post 28 in Oak Orchard after moving to Delaware and a member of other various organizations.
He is survived by his wife and loving companion for 20 years, E. Bernadette McCabe Shumway; a daughter Nancy Holloway; two sons Tom Shumway and his wife Tammy, and Joe Shumway; four grandsons, Bill Holloway, and Cody, Brady and Lennon Shumway; a granddaughter, Nikki Shumway; a stepdaughter, Kelly Allan and her daughter Kyla Alaina; four brothers, Jack Shumway and his wife Jan, Larry Shumway and his wife Connie, Buster Shumway and his wife Dee, and Louie Shumway and his wife Cathy; a sister, Margaret Brown and her husband Ted; his previous spouse Kathryn Shumway; and his best friends, Meryl and Lita Schindel.
A celebration of Rich’s life will be held from 1 to 3 p.m., Wednesday, April 15, at the American Legion Post 28, 31768 Legion Road, Millsboro. Interment will be private. In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorial contributions in Richard’s name to Compassionate Care Hospice, 31038 Country Garden Blvd., Suite D2, Dagsboro, DE 19939. Arrangements by Melson Funeral Services, Millsboro.

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James Kerry Nickerson, Sussex paramedic
James Kerry Nickerson, 67, of Millsboro, formerly of Rehoboth Beach, passed away Thursday, April 9, 2009, at Beebe Medical Center in Lewes.
Mr. Nickerson was born in Lewes April 23, 1941, son of the late James Edmond and Carolyn Watson Nickerson. He was a native of Rehoboth Beach, where he raised his family. Kerry was employed with Beebe Medical Center in various positions for 25 years before gaining employment with Lifestar Ambulance, where he retired as Delaware supervisor in September 2006. Mr. Nickerson was a member of the Rehoboth Beach Volunteer Fire Company for 47 years and a member of the Delaware State Fire Police for the last 13 years. In his years with the fire service he was a dedicated EMT and was a former member of the Governor’s Council in bringing paramedics to Sussex County. Mr. Nickerson also was a member of the Red Knights in Maryland and enjoyed woodworking, fishing and boating.
He is survived by his loving wife who has been by his side for the last 20 years, Connie J. Nickerson; five children, Paula Nickerson-Forbes of Long Neck, Maryanne Donato and her husband John of Houston, Brian Nickerson and his wife Adrienne of Georgetown, Cristin Carr at home and Jamie Nickerson of Milton; nine grandchildren, Candace and James Nickerson, Kristen, Timothy and Jonathan Robertson, Christopher and Haley Parsons, Ashley Nickerson and Kristin Martz; a great-granddaughter, Brianna Mae; a sister Judith Nickerson Pletcher of Lawton, Okla.; a previous spouse, Barbara A. Smith of Wilmington; many adopted children and grandchildren who knew him as “Pop Pop Kerry;” and a host of nieces, nephews and cousins.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m., Wednesday, April 15, at St. Jude the Apostle Church, 152 Tulip Drive, Lewes. A visitation will be held from 6 to 9 p.m., Tuesday, April 14, at the Long Neck Chapel of Melson Funeral Services, 32013 Long Neck Road. Interment will be held at Epworth Methodist Cemetery in Rehoboth Beach.
In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorial contributions in Kerry’s name to the Rehoboth Beach Volunteer Fire Company Building Fund, P.O. Box 327, Rehoboth Beach, DE 19971.

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Joseph C. Schranck Sr., electrician
Joseph Christian Schranck Sr., 60, of Middletown, passed away Thursday, April 9, 2009, at Christiana Care Hospital.
Joe had a long and proud career as an electrician with Local 313 of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers on projects throughout the state.
He is survived by his son, Joseph C. Schranck Jr.; his father, Joseph C. Schranck; a sister, Karen Dettwyler; and three brothers, Frederick H., Thomas A. and David J. Schranck. Also surviving are five nieces; two nephews; and his former wife, Susan Schranck.
A viewing was held at Daniels & Hutchison Funeral Home LLC, 212 N. Broad St., Middletown. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 a.m., Tuesday, April 14, at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 371 E. Main St., Middletown. Interment will be in All Saints Cemetery, Wilmington.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to the National Stroke Association, 9707 E. Easter Lane, Centennial, CO 80112 or to a charity of choice.

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Elizabeth ‘Betty’ Law, accomplished golfer
Elizabeth H. “Betty” Law, 78, of Lewes, formerly of New Cumberland, Pa., passed away peacefully at her home surrounded by her loving family Wednesday, April 8, 2009.
She was born April 23, 1930, in Locksley, Pa., daughter of the late Charles and Edna Rowand Zebley.
Betty graduated from Sharon Hill High School where she was captain of the cheerleading squad and an all-star hockey player. A dedicated wife and mother, she continued her love of sports by attending all her children’s sporting events.
She became an accomplished golfer, winning ladies league championships at Riverside Golf Course and Valley Green Golf Course. Once she moved to Delaware she became a member of the Sussex Pines Country Club where she belonged to Sussex Pine Ladies Association Team and the 18-holers. She was a member of American Legion Post 28 Ladies Auxiliary. She also found time for her love of crafts, and fishing, where she acquired the nickname “One more drift” from her family.
She is survived by her loving husband of 58 years, George R. Law; three sons, George T. Law of Boise, Idaho; Gregory Law and his wife Denise of New Cumberland, Pa., and Gordon M. Law and his wife Laurie of Millsboro; a daughter, Colleen Law of Lewes; a brother, Thomas Zebley and his wife Doris of Aston, Pa.; eight grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.
A Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m., Tuesday, April 14, at Mary Mother of Peace Catholic Church in Oak Orchard. Interment will follow at the Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Millsboro.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions in Betty’s name to the Delaware Hospice Center, 100 Patriots Way, Milford, DE 19963; or the American Legion Post 28 Ladies Auxiliary, 31768 Legion Rd., Millsboro, DE 19966.
Arrangements by Melson Funeral Services of Long Neck.

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Myrtle I. Tush, loved gardening
Myrtle I. Tush, 104, of Smyrna, died Wednesday, April 8, 2009, at Pinnacle Health and Rehabilitation Center, Smyrna. She was born in Townsend March 2, 1905, the daughter of the late George and Josephine Ivory.
After completing school, she married her husband of 38 years, Norman L. Tush Sr. Mr. Tush died in 1962.
She was a member of the MOT Homemaker’s Club and enjoyed playing cards and bingo. She loved tending to her flowers and gardens.
She is survived by a son, Norman L. Tush Jr. and his wife Ann of Smyrna; a grandson, Larry Tush and his wife Dell of Dewey Beach; three great-grandchildren, Chuck Tush and Todd Tush, both of Smyrna, and Jeryl Moore of Pedricktown, N.J.; and four great-great-grandchildren, Taylor Renee Moore and Sydney Leigh Moore, both of Pedricktown; and Elayna Grace Tush and Ava Marie Tush, both of Smyrna; and many nieces and nephews.
Services were held at Matthews-Bryson Funeral Home, 123 W. Commerce St., Smyrna. Burial was in Odd Fellows Cemetery, Smyrna.
If desired, contributions may be sent to either Delaware Hospice Inc., 911 S. DuPont Highway, Dover, DE 19901; or to the Clayton Fire Co., PO Box 1050, Clayton, DE 19938.

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George W. McDonald, masonry instructor
George W. McDonald, 74, of Rehoboth Beach, formerly of Arnold, Md., went home to be with the Lord suddenly Wednesday, April 8, 2009.
He was born Dec. 29, 1934, in Chicago, Ill., son of the late George and Marge Rachton McDonald.
Mr. McDonald was the owner of McDonald Masonry in the Annapolis, Md. area from which he retired in 1994. He was also a masonry instructor at South River Vocational-Technical School and was a salesman for Surgical Specialties in Annapolis. He served in the U.S. Marine Corps during the Korean War. Some of the most enjoyable moments of his life were spent with family; he also enjoyed photography, camping and reading. He was well admired and loved by many and will be dearly missed by his family and friends.
Mr. McDonald was the beloved husband of Nancy M. McDonald for 47 years; father of two daughters, Bernadette M. Hyers of Edgewater, Md., and Lisa Scott of Lewes; and grandfather of Michael, Chelsea, Lexi and Cassie.
A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m., Wednesday, April 15, at Parsell Funeral Homes and Crematorium, Atkins-Lodge Chapel, 16961 Kings Highway, Lewes. Interment will follow at the Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Millsboro.

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Louis J. Orsini, retired electrician
Louis J. Orsini, 78, of Millsboro, formerly of Collegeville, Pa., passed away Thursday, April 9, 2009, at his home after a long battle with lung cancer.
Lou was born and raised in Norristown, Pa., and raised his family in Collegeville. He is a veteran of the Korean War, having served in the Navy. He worked for 30 years at the Philadelphia Electric Company and after his retirement moved to southern Delaware, where he was an active member of the American Legion Post 28. He held the position of chaplain since 2000, and recently was promoted to the chaplain of the 4th District, Delaware. He was Legionnaire of the Year for 2000-01. Lou was also known for his beautiful woodcarvings, a hobby he took up in his retirement years.
Lou was a loving husband and devoted father. He is survived by his wife of 14 years, Pat; his sons, Louis, Dominic, Mark, Michael and Robert; and stepdaughter, Michelle. He also leaves behind eight grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren; and his siblings, Vicky Calamia, Marie Pupek and Pasquale Orsini.
He was preceded in death by Ruth E. Chase Orsini, his first wife of over 40 years; his son David; and stepdaughter Leah.
A service will be held at 1 p.m., Thursday, April 16, at the Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemetery, 26669 Patriots Way, Millsboro, DE 19966. The family suggests making a donation to your local hospice.

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Patricia J. Charles, Ford retiree
Patricia J. Charles, 65, of Floreffe, Pa., passed away peacefully Tuesday, April 7, 2009, in Silverlake Center, Dover. She was surrounded by family.
She retired after 28 years from Ford Motor Credit in the collections department. She was a member of the Floreffe Volunteer Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary in Floreffe, and the Ascension of Our Lord Byzantine Catholic Church in Clairton, Pa. Ms. Charles enjoyed spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren. Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by her brother, Stephen Sharpeta; and her sister, Mary Ann Adkins. She was the beloved mother of Gina Charles-Derrickson of Lewes, and Frank (Karyn) Charles of Hattiesburg, Miss.; the dear sister of Paula (Skip) Vosovic of Phoenix, Ariz., Geri (Frank) Crino of Monroeville, Pa., Nancy (Robert) Sheppard-Gentile of Gibsonia, Pa., and Andrew “Butch” Sharpeta of Elizabeth, Pa.; and sister-in law of Vicki Sharpeta of Joppatown, Md. She will be sadly missed by her grandchildren, Logan Derrickson, Tyson, Cooper and Grace Charles; and several nieces and nephews. Memorial services will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday, April 18, at the Acension of Our Lord Byzantine Catholic Church, 318 Park Ave., Clariton, Pa. The family suggests contributions be made to the American Diabetes Association – Pittsburgh, 300 Penn Center Blvd., Suite 602, Pittsburgh, PA 15235.

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Rose Mary Kammerzell, loved history
Rose Mary Iadevaia Kammerzell, 78, of Lewes, passed away Sunday March 8, 2009, at Harbor Healthcare in Lewes. Born in Providence, R.I., she was a daughter of the late Joseph and Philomena Murchelano Iadevaia. She moved to Maryland in 1961 with her husband, the late Ervin W. Kammerzell, and children. She followed her daughters to Lewes in 2001. She left behind two sons and two daughters, William C. Kammerzell and his wife Penny of Annapolis, Md., Robert P. Kammerzell and his wife Nancy of Glen Burnie, Md., Agnes “Cissy” M. Carter and her husband John H. Carter Sr. of Lewes, and Jean M. Kammerzell of Lewes. She was the grandmother of eight and the great-grandmother of eight. She is also survived by a brother, Francis W. Iadevaia and a sister, Agnes E. Iadevaia, both of Warwick, R.I. The family is having a memorial to celebrate her life at 5:30 p.m. Friday, April 17, at Cirelli’s Restaurant on Savannah Road in Lewes. Memorial contributions may be sent to Vitas Innovative Hospice Care, 100 Commerce Drive, Suite 302, Newark, DE 19713.

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Phyllis A. Fisher, banking retiree
Phyllis A. (Danrow) Fisher, 77, of Lewes, passed away in her home Easter Sunday, April 12, 2009, surrounded by her loved ones. She was born Oct. 2, 1931, in Montclair, N.J., daughter of the late Anthony and Anna Marie (Brown) Danrow.
Phyllis retired from Sussex Trust Company and previously enjoyed working at the Zwaanendael Museum. She was a member of St. Peter's Episcopal Church in Lewes, the Ladies Lions Club of Lewes, and the Lewes Elks Lodge. Mrs. Fisher enjoyed planning family gatherings and caring for her home and garden. She is survived by her daughter, Diane Huff and her husband Rick of Georgetown; daughter, Joanne Howell and her husband David of Georgetown; son, Thomas L. Fisher and his wife Linda of Lewes; daughter, Shelley Forst of Lewes; nine grandchildren, Steve Marsh Jr. and his wife Cyndi, Thaddeus and Jeremy Fisher, Amber Herrera and her husband Victor, Matthew Howell, Lindsay and Lauren Huff, and Christopher and Hunter Forst; and two great-grandchildren, Justin and Abbey Marsh. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Harry "Leon Fisher" on Aug. 16, 2000. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m., Thursday, April 16, at Parsell Funeral Homes and Crematorium, Atkins-Lodge Chapel, 16961 Kings Highway, Lewes. Services will be held at the funeral home at 2 p.m., Friday, April 17, with Pastor Mike Magee officiating. Interment will follow at St. Peter's Cemetery, Lewes. Memorial contributions are suggested for Delaware Hospice Center, 100 Patriots Way, Milford DE 19963; or Meals on Wheels, 32409 Lewes-Georgetown Highway, Lewes DE 19958.