04/24/09

~

John Joseph Rowan, retired machinist
John Joseph Rowan, 83, of Millsboro, formerly of Boothwyn, Pa., passed away Sunday, April 19, 2009, at Beebe Medical Center, Lewes.
He served in the Merchant Marine during World War II for eight years. Mr. Rowan then worked as a machinist for Westinghouse, retiring in 1991. John enjoyed bodybuilding and ice skating and he was an avid model ship builder.
He is survived by his loving wife of 26 years, Rose Moser Rowan; a son, John J. Rowan Jr. of Pa.; two daughters, Lorraine Epright and her husband James of Springfield, Pa., and Theresa Eshback and her husband Ted of Pennsylvania; two stepdaughters, Jacqueline Pilkington of Aston, Pa., and Debra Decker and her husband Scott of Woolwich Township, N.J.; two brothers, James Rowan of Seattle, Wash., and Frank Bunch of Sharon Hill, Pa.; three grandchildren; and one great-granddaughter.
Services and burial are private. In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorial contributions in John’s name to the American Diabetes Foundation, PO Box 11454 Alexandria, VA 22312.
Arrangements by Melson Funeral Services of Millsboro.

~

Alfonso Mattera, grocery store manager
Alfonso Frank James Mattera, 75, of Millsboro, passed away Monday, April 20, 2009 at Heartland Hospice House, Wilmington. He was the husband of the late Betty Lee Wallace Mattera, with whom he shared 39 years of marriage.
Born in Chester, Pa., he was the son of the late George E. and Nancy Iacono Mattera. Alfonso was employed as a store manager for various grocery store chains for 50 years, retiring in 2000. He was then employed for 10 years with the Resort Investigation Security Company as a security guard. He was also a U.S. Navy veteran of the Korean War. He was an active member of the Long Neck United Methodist Church in Millsboro. He was also a Master Mason with Christiana Lodge 35, A.F.&A.M., New Castle; a lifetime member of American Legion Oak Orchard Riverdale Post 28, Millsboro; and a member of AMVETS Post 2 and the Indian River Yacht Club, Millsboro. He loved the beach and enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren.
Alfonso is survived by one son, Thomas E. Sarver and his wife Melissa of New London, Pa.; two daughters, Deborah L. Sarver of Wilmington, and Donna A. Sarver of Newark; six grandchildren, Scott A. Sarver, Karl J. Wagner, Stephanie A. DeLucia, Monica L. Smyth, Jamie W. Sarver and Rachel E. Sarver; four great-grandchildren, Justin, Jayden, Grant and Mason; one brother, George Mattera of Warrenton, Pa.; three sisters, Katherine Osher of Lake Worth, Fla., Mary Tonge of East Waterford, Pa., and Theresa Acevedo of Wilmington; and his companion, Carol Wilson of Millsboro. Also surviving are several nieces, nephews and cousins. In addition to his wife, he was preceded in death by a grandson, Brian C. Sarver, and two brothers, Angelo Mattera and Joseph Mattera.
Funeral services will be held at 3 p.m., Saturday, April 25, at the New London Presbyterian Church, 1986 Newark Road, New London, Pa., where family and friends may call from 2 to 3 p.m. Interment with full military honors will be in the adjoining church cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to the Heartland Hospice House, 5661 Ochletree Lane, Wilmington, DE 19808.

~

Joel C. Farlow, radio commentator
Joel Christopher Farlow, 69, died Monday, April 20, 2009. He was a resident of Silver Lake Nursing Center. Mr. Farlow was a radio broadcaster and commentator; he was instrumental in founding Public Radio Delmarva and in erecting its first tower in Seaford. He was a dedicated soccer fan, a coach for the Nanticoke Youth Soccer League, and an advocate for girls’ participation in the sport. An avid gardener and nature lover, he installed one of the first residential solar heating systems in Sussex County. He served in the U.S. Army for three years. He is survived by a son, William Robert Farlow of Philadelphia; a daughter, Heather Margaret Farlow of Dallas, Texas; a son, Matthew Brion Farlow of Rehoboth Beach; and his former wife, Betsey Farlow. Burial will be private. In lieu of flowers, donations to Delaware SPCA, 22918 Dupont Highway, Georgetown, DE 19947 are suggested. Arrangements by Torbert Funeral Chapels, Dover.

~

Katherine J. Reed, CHEER Center member
Katherine J. Reed, 86, of Georgetown, passed away Tuesday, April 21, 2009, at Beebe Medical Center, Lewes. She was born March 5, 1923, in Nashville, Tenn.
Mrs. Reed was a homemaker. She attended Carey’s U.M. Church, Millsboro, enjoyed spending time with her friends at the CHEER Center and her great-grandson Timmy, and was a very bubbly person, full of life.
Mrs. Reed was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Wilmer Reed in 1989; a daughter, Gloria Reed Sterling in 1999; and a son, Robert Alan Reed in 2008.
She is survived by two daughters, Linda Sauers of Georgetown and Patricia Reed and companion Vern Bryan of Georgetown; a brother, Thurman Anderson of Georgetown; two grandsons, Matthew and Jeffrey Sauers; a great-grandson, Timothy Sauers; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Services will be 11 a.m., Friday, April 24, at the Watson Funeral Home, 211 S. Washington St., Millsboro, where friends may call at 10 a.m. Pastor Robert McCullough will officiate. Interment will be in Carey’s Cemetery, Millsboro.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks for contributions to Carey’s U.M. Church, c/o Jo Dorey, Treasurer, 22750 Carey’s Camp Road, Millsboro, DE 19966.

~

Irene A. Dickerson, Lewes native
Irene A. Dickerson, 69, formerly of Sussex County, passed away Sunday, April 19, 2009.
She was born in Lewes, a daughter of the late Roger and Maggie Allison. She is survived by her husband, William Dickerson Jr.; her brothers, Henry Allison and Howard Allison; and a sister, Sandra Cain.
A graveside service was held Thursday, April 23, at Mt. Pleasant United Methodist Church Cemetery, Laurel. Arrangements by Hannigan, Short, Disharoon Funeral Home, Laurel.

~

Nancy Ellen Timmons, credit auditor
Nancy Ellen Timmons, 38, of Millville, passed away at Bayhealth/Milford Memorial Hospital, Milford, Friday, April 17, 2009.
Nancy was born Aug. 29, 1970, in Lewes, to James M. Sr. and Betty L. Price Timmons of Millville.
She was employed by MBNA as a credit auditor. Nancy was a member of Aetna Hook & Ladder Fire Company, loved reading, loved animals, worked in the lab at Del Tech with animals, and she had a special love for wolves. She struggled against multiple sclerosis for many years.
Nancy is survived by her parents; her brother James Timmons Jr. of New Castle; her companion Mike Heine of Houston; her half brother Clay Outten of Dames Quarter, Md.; her aunt Grace Maddox of Salisbury, Md.; many cousins; her current canine friend Smurfie; and her beloved service dog Midnight, who preceded her. A memorial service was held at the Watson Funeral Home, Millsboro. The Rev. Kerry Shull officiated. Interment will be at a later date.