04/17/09

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Irene J. Strep, Scrabble club member
Irene J. Malinowski Strep, 87, of Dagsboro, passed away peacefully at her residence Wednesday, April 15, 2009, surrounded by her loved ones. Mrs. Strep was born Aug. 29, 1921, in Philadelphia, Pa., daughter of the late Boleslaw and Cecilia Malinowski.
Mrs. Strep was a longtime resident of Glenside, Montgomery County, Pa., before relocating to the beach in 1996. For 25 years, she worked for Donnelly Advertising Agency in Philadelphia, retiring in 1986 as a benefits coordinator in human resources. In her retirement years, Irene volunteered with St. Ann’s Ladies Auxiliary, Bethany Beach and assisted with the planning of the annual church bazaar. She enjoyed gardening, cooking, crossword puzzles, playing Scrabble and solitaire; she was a member of the Bethany Beach Scrabble Club. She was also an active member of AARP, Bethany Beach. Mrs. Strep loved life, her family and the Lord.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband Walter E. Strep (1989) and her son-in-law Phillip A. Hinkle (1989). She is survived by her two daughters, Christine S. Hinkle of Rehoboth Beach, and Regina S. Baier of Dagsboro; five grandchildren: Adam Baier and his wife Darcy of Sheboygan, Wis., Amanda Baier of Souderton, Pa., Julia Hinkle, and twins Laura and Elizabeth Hinkle, all of Rehoboth Beach; and two great-granddaughters, Emma and Cami Baier of Sheboygan.
There will be no services in Delaware. A Memorial Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m., Wednesday, April 22, at St. Stanislaus Catholic Church, 51 Lansdale Ave., Lansdale, Pa. Friends may call at the church beginning at 10 a.m. Interment will follow at St. John Neumann Cemetery, 3797 County Line Road, Chalfont, Pa. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions to the Sunshine Foundation, 1041 Mill Creek Drive, Feasterville, PA 19053; or Delaware Hospice Center, 100 Patriots Way, Milford, DE 19963.

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Clara G. Connaway, talented artist
Clara G. Connaway, 88, of Rehoboth Beach, passed away Wednesday, April 15, 2009, at Renaissance Healthcare in Millsboro. She was born March 6, 1921, in Lewes, the daughter of the late Lewis and Marian C. Graves.
Mrs. Connaway was a member of Bethel United Methodist Church in Lewes, where she was a former member of the church choir. She was a wonderful artist who specialized in oil paints. She was also known for her beautiful shell wreaths. She enjoyed traveling, reading and playing bridge. She loved spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
In addition to her parents, Mrs. Connaway was preceded in death by her husband Elberon T. Connaway in 1990. She is survived by three sons: Elberon T. Connaway of Lewes, Michael L. Connaway of Atkinson, N.H., and Anthony Warren Connaway of Mechanicville, N.Y.; one daughter, Melissa Wagner of Ohio; nine grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and one brother, Alfred Graves of Buffalo, N.Y.
All services are private. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions be made to Bethel United Methodist Church, 129 W. Fourth St., Lewes, DE 19958; Lewes Public Library, 111 Adams Ave., Lewes, DE 19958; or to Groome United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 299, Lewes, DE 19958.

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Winifred R. Wiggins, Sunday school teacher
Winifred R. Neville Wiggins, 86, died Monday, April 13, 2009, at Riddle Memorial Hospital in Media, Pa. She was born Oct. 21, 1922, in Collingdale, Pa. to the late John and Elizabeth Melic Neville.
Mrs. Wiggins was a resident of Lewes for 25 years. She was a resident of Derwood Park, Ridley Township, prior to moving to Delaware. She was a graduate of Collingdale High School. After high school, Mrs. Wiggins worked at GE and Buchans Bookbinding. She later married her high school sweetheart, David S. Wiggins, a Darby High School graduate, and they recently celebrated 63 years of marriage. While living in Ridley Township, Mrs. Wiggins was active in the Derwood Park Civic Association and the Woodlyn Baptist Church, where she sang in the choir, taught Sunday school and served as a deaconess. Mrs. Wiggins loved life, her family and friends. She never hesitated to share her Christian faith and her desire to serve her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
In addition to her husband, Mrs. Wiggins is survived by three children, David S. Wiggins Jr. (Carol) of Concord Twp., Pa., Gail (Roland) Burgess of Glen Mills, Middletown Twp., Pa., and Carol (Mark) Apanowicz of Wilmington; seven grandchildren; four great-grandchildren, and one soon to be. She also is survived by several nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by five siblings, John Neville Jr., Elizabeth Lingo, Francis Neville, Thomas Neville and Catherine Huber.
A funeral service was held Thursday, April 16, at Parsell Funeral Homes and Crematorium, Lewes, with Pastor David Munro of the First Baptist Church of Lewes officiating and interment at All Saints’ Cemetery, near Angola.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to First Baptist Church of Lewes, 1001 Kings Hwy., Lewes, DE 19958; or Community Church of Oak Orchard, 32615 Oak Orchard Road, U1, Millsboro, DE 19966.

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Terry W. Manning, machine operator
Terry W. Manning, 57, of Winterset Farms, Wilmington, died peacefully Wednesday, April 15, 2009, at home.
Born and raised in Chester, Pa., he resided the past 37 years in Winterset Farms, previously residing in Chester. A machine operator for Kimberly Clark, formerly Scott Paper, for 30 years, he recently retired in 2009. He belonged to American Legion Post 926, and his hobbies included boating, fishing, crabbing, golfing, woodworking and fast cars. He served in the Army National Guard during the Vietnam War.
Preceded in death by his mother, Norma J. Wallace and one brother, Denver “Doyle” Manning who died in 2009, he is survived by his wife of 38 years, Martha O’Brien Manning; two sons, Terry W. Manning Jr. and Matthew L. Manning Sr., both of Wilmington; one daughter, Sandra Loose of Bear; father and stepmother, Elmer L. and Marianne Manning of Milton; three brothers, Eugene B. Manning of Arkansas, Douglas A. Manning of Milton and Pastor David J. Manning of Bangor, Pa.; one sister, Shirley L. Stewart of Wilmington; and seven grandchildren.
A funeral service will be at 6 p.m., Saturday, April 18, at the Pagano Funeral Home, 3711 Foulk Road, Bethel Township, Pa., where friends may call from 4 to 6 p.m. Interment will be private.
Donations in his memory may be made to Delaware Hospice, 3515 Silverside Road, Wilmington, DE 19810.

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Brita M. Kelly, born in Sweden
Brita M. Kelly, 81, of Lewes, formerly of New Jersey, passed away Monday, April 13, 2009, at the Harbor Healthcare Center in Lewes.
Brita was born in Sweden, daughter to the late Hans and Margaretta Borg Axell.
She is survived by her son, Ron Kelly and his wife Cheryln; grandchildren, Matthew and Dierdre; and two brothers, Olaf and Lars.
A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday, April 18, at the Long Neck Chapel of Melson Funeral Services, 32013 Long Neck Road, Millsboro.
In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorial contributions in Brita’s memory to Alzheimer’s Association of Delaware, Delaware Valley Chapter, 399 Market St., Suite 102, Philadelphia, PA 19106.

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Eugene “Gene” Slacum, tax office manager
Eugene “Gene” Slacum Jr., 60, of Dover, passed away Sunday, April 12, 2009, in Bayhealth-Kent General Hospital, Dover. He was born June 9, 1948, in Dover, to Eugene Sr. and Luvia Short Slacum. He was a member of Capital City Lions Club and on its board of directors. He graduated from Dickinson High School and from Wesley College with a degree in accounting.
Gene was an avid bowler for many years. He enjoyed the trips to the national tournament every year. He enjoyed New York Yankees baseball games, also working on the computer and playing with his dogs Chunky and Mario. He was also an avid NASCAR fan of Dale Earnhardt Sr. and Jr. He also collected stamps and coins. He managed the Liberty Tax Office in Bear, also sold real estate for Classic Realty of Milford. He lived in Delaware most of his life. He was a coach for the YABA.
He is preceded in death by his mother, Luvia Slacum. He is survived by his wife, Elizabeth “Susie” Slacum of Dover; father, Eugene Slacum Sr. of Dover; brothers, Richard C. Slacum and Scott Slacum, both of Dover, Ronald S. and his wife Celeste Slacum of Lewes, and Stacey and his wife Crystal Slacum of Dover. Remembrance services will be held 11 a.m., Friday, April 17, at Trader Funeral Home in Dover. Burial will be in the Barratt’s Chapel Cemetery, Frederica. The family request that memorial contributions be given to the American Heart Association and/or the Kent County S.P.C.A.

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Joseph H. Sampson, retired truck driver
Joseph H. Sampson, 76, of Millsboro, formerly of Norwood, Pa., passed away Monday, April 13, 2009, at Beebe Medical Center in Lewes, surrounded by his loving family.
He was born in Chester, Pa., son of the late Joseph C. and Clarinda Stewart Sampson. He was a veteran of the Korean War serving in the U.S. Navy aboard the USS Uhlmann. Mr. Sampson was employed by Wawa Dairy as a truck driver for 25 years before retiring in 1992.
He was deeply devoted to his immediate and extended family. Joseph was a member of the American Legion Post 28 in Oak Orchard, the Tin Can Sailors and the Adult Plus Couples Luncheon Group. After his retirement 17 years ago to Millsboro, he enjoyed woodworking and fishing.
In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his sister, Joan Dutro in 2005. He is survived by his loving wife of 56 years, Marcella Jacobs Sampson; six children, Robert Sampson and his wife Diane of Glenolden, Pa., David Sampson, Linda Chapman and her husband Jeff of Norwood, Pa., Brian Sampson of Glenolden, Ronald Sampson and his wife Doreen of Eddystone, Pa., and Kathy Pastuszek and her husband Joe of Eddystone; an adopted daughter, Barbara Bates and her husband Jay of Millsboro; a special nephew, Michael Gilgore and his wife Allison of Millsboro; 12 grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and numerous other family and friends.
A memorial service will be held at noon, Friday, April 17, at the Long Neck Chapel of Melson Funeral Services, 32013 Long Neck Road, where friends and family may call after 11:30 a.m. Interment will be private.
In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorial contributions in Joseph’s name to the Disabled American Veterans, P.O. Box 14301, Cincinnati, OH 45250-0301.

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Natacha Ann Mitchell, active in 4-H
Natacha Ann Mitchell, 17, of Middletown, went to be with our Lord Sunday morning, April 12, 2009.
“Tacha,” a junior at Middletown High School, was an avid horseback rider and dog lover. She was an active member of the County Line 4-H Club and also enjoyed volunteering at various organizations within the state. Tacha was happily employed at Taco Bell in Middletown.
She was preceded in death by her grandparents, Delma and Bill Mitchell.
Tacha is survived by her mother, Sue; brother, Nathan; stepfather, Jimmy; her uncle, David Jones and his family; Grafton and Deenie Reeves and their family; and her uncle, John Falcon and his family. Tacha was a member of a very large natural family, as well as an extended family, who enjoyed many loving relationships.
A memorial service was held Wednesday, April 15, at St. Anne’s Episcopal Church, Middletown, with interment private.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to County Line 4-H Club, c/o Kelly Pyle, 1699 Harvey Straughn Road, Townsend, DE 19734.
Arrangements by Daniels & Hutchison Funeral Home LLC, Middletown.

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David M. Sacks, worked for DuPont
David M. Sacks, 59, of Avondale, Pa., passed away at his home Thursday, April 9, 2009. He left too soon, but his life was filled with so many people who loved him and will remember him for his kindness, his humility, his compassion, and his respect and love for everyone in his life.
Dave was born in 1949 in Lexington, Ky., to David and Virginia Sacks. He was a graduate of Seaford High School and received his BS in math from Bucknell University in 1971. He worked for DuPont for over 30 years before moving to Wichita, Kan., to work for Koch Industries. One of the highlights of his career was the three years he spent with his family in Singapore. Dave loved to travel and experience new places and cultures. He treasured time with his family and was present for every swim meet, baseball game, birthday party and milestone. His favorite moments were spent reading during late afternoons in Bethany Beach, boating and swimming at Lake George, N.Y., playing games with his family and cheering for the Yankees and the Carolina Tarheels with his favorite dog by his side.
He will be missed by so many, including his wife of almost 37 years, Kathryn Stehman Sacks; his daughter, Lauren of Chapel Hill, N.C.; and his son, Benjamin of Rehoboth Beach. Dave is also survived by his parents, David and Virginia Sacks of Seaford; his sister, Kathleen Heller and her husband Mark and their sons, Scott and Jeff; several nieces and nephews; and numerous friends.
A service in celebration of Dave’s life will be held at the Doherty Funeral Home, 3200 Limestone Road, Pike Creek at 1 p.m., Saturday, April 18. Relatives and friends may also visit with the family from 5 to 8 p.m., Friday, April 17, at the funeral home.
Contributions may be made to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, 2141 Rosecrans Ave. Suite 7000, El Segundo, CA 90245 (pancan.org); or to PALS Animal Rescue, PO Box 47342, Wichita, KS 67201 (palsrescue.org).

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Anna “Peggy” Truitt, Lewes native
Anna “Peggy” Ash Truitt, 82, of Bridgeville, passed away peacefully Saturday, April 11, 2009, at her residence surrounded by her family. She was born Dec. 22, 1926, in Lewes, daughter of the late Harry B. and Clara Mitchell Ash.
Mrs. Truitt was a homemaker who loved taking care of her family. She enjoyed crocheting, reading and traveling with her late husband.
She will be missed by all who knew and loved her. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Frederick N. Truitt Sr. in 2006. She is survived by her son, Frederick “Rick” Truitt Jr. of Bridgeville; three daughters, Mary Anna Eskridge and her husband Micki of Seaford, Carol Short and her husband Robin of Bridgeville, and Shirley Downes of Seaford; nine grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild. A graveside service was held Thursday, April 16, at Bridgeville Cemetery, Bridgeville, with Pastor Dale Brown officiating. Arrangements by Parsell Funeral Homes & Crematorium, Bridgeville.