06/26/09

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Hugh Revell, retired contractor
Hugh Revell, 69, of Millsboro died Wednesday, June 17, 2009, in the comfort of his home. Hugh was born March 31, 1940, in Millsboro, to the late Wilford and Addie Littleton Revell. He was raised in Millsboro. Mr. Revell was a self-employed contractor and painter for most of his life. He leaves behind a loving wife of 47 years, Phyllis Taylor Revell; his children, Kathy Joseph of Gumboro, Alan Revell of Millsboro, Abby Baker of Millsboro, W.J. Revell of Georgetown, and Lisa Revell of Millsboro; a brother, Jewel Revell of Millsboro; two sisters, Nina Warren of Millsboro and Vivian Leifert of Seaford; and six grandchildren. A funeral service was held at 11 a.m., Saturday, June 20, at the Watson Funeral Home, 211 S. Washington St., Millsboro, where friends may call at 10 a.m. Brother William Bear will officiate the service. Burial will be in Carey’s Cemetery, Millsboro.

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Anthony Della Camera, DuPont retiree
Anthony Della Camera, 60, of Lewes, passed away Tuesday, June 23, 2009, at Beebe Medical Center in Lewes.
He was born Dec. 27, 1948 in Media, Pa., son of the late Michael J. and Rose (Martinenza) Della Camera.
Mr. Della Camera moved from Wilmington to the beach in 2000. He enjoyed a 27-year career with DuPont Edge Moor, retiring from a supervisory role. Following his retirement from DuPont, he signed on as a manager of the Long Neck wastewater treatment facility.
Anthony was an avid sports fan who loved the Philadelphia Eagles and Phillies. He served with the U.S. Air Force during the Vietnam era. He enjoyed gardening and loved his boat. He was a member of St. Jude the Apostle Church. He was very family oriented and was most proud of his children.
He is survived by his wife of 21 years, Deborah (Fulgham) Della Camera; a son, Jonathan Della Camera and daughter, Danielle Della Camera, both of Lewes; five siblings, Natalie Blakely of Millsboro, Michael Della Camera and wife Carolyn of Millsboro, Rosita Scott and husband Ken of Secane, Pa., Theresa Smith of West Chester, Pa., and Maria Sharkey and husband Matthew of Media, Pa.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m., Monday, June 29, at St. Jude the Apostle Church, Route 1 north of Five Points, Lewes, where friends may call beginning at 10 a.m. Interment with military honors will be at Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemetery, 26669 Patriots Way, Millsboro. Arrangements are being handled by Parsell Funeral Homes & Crematorium, Atkins-Lodge Chapel, Lewes.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions be made to the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 163, Salisbury, MD 21803-0163.

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Elsie Swezey memorial service set
A memorial service for Elsie Beebe Swezey will be held at 11 a.m., Tuesday, June 30, at Parsell Funeral Homes & Crematorium, Atkins-Lodge Chapel, 16961 Kings Highway, Lewes. Interment will follow at Bethel Methodist Cemetery, Lewes.

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Kern M. Bowyer, DuPont retiree
Kern M. Bowyer, 80, of Wilmington, passed away Sunday, June 21, 2009, at Beebe Medical Center in Lewes.
He was born in Jersey City, N.J. Nov. 12, 1928, to the late Clarence and Gladys (Adams) Bowyer.
Mr. Bowyer served with the U.S. Army Signal Corps as a radar specialist during the Korean War. He graduated from New York University College of Engineering in 1957. He was a member of HKN (electrical engineering honor society), IEEE (Institute of Electrical Engineers), AES (Audio Engineering Society), and the ARRL (American Radio Relay League). He was a former member of the Lewes Historical Society.
He retired from the DuPont Company in 1990 after 33 years of service. Mr. Bowyer enjoyed his retirement years living between his homes in Wilmington and Lewes and traveling throughout the USA and Europe. He was a very loving husband, father and grandfather.
He is survived by his wife of 29 years, J. Diane (Cunningham) Bowyer; a daughter, Lisa Mongillo; a son Jerry Casey; and a grandson Casey Mongillo.
All services are private. Arrangements are being handled by Parsell Funeral Homes & Crematorium, Lewes.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions be made to a charity of choice.

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Caroline ‘Connie’ Moon, devoted to family
Caroline “Connie” Moon, 95, died peacefully at home surrounded by her family Sunday, June 21, 2009.
A longtime resident of Delaware, she was born in McKeesport, Pa., to the late Thomas and Ethel McCune Russell. She attended Pennsylvania State University and worked as a branch manager at Artisans’ Bank for many years before retiring in the 1970s. She was an avid reader and enjoyed traveling with her husband David, family and friends. She was an active member of Peninsula McCabe United Methodist Church of Wilmington. Most important in her life was a focus on and devotion to family. She has been aptly described as the matriarch and spirit of a large and diverse extended family. She will be greatly missed by all whom she has touched and influenced through a lifetime of kindness, generosity and sincere caring.
Connie is survived by her husband of 33 years, David E. Moon Sr.; four children, Linda Morris Broderick and husband Edward of Lewes, John Rosenberger and wife Sandra of Lincoln University, Pa., Karen Apostolico and husband Vincent of Millsboro, and Suzanne Brown and husband Craig of Wilmington; four stepchildren, Evelyn DeJohn of Wilmington, David Moon Jr. and wife Kathy of Wilmington, Charles Moon and wife Sheila of Wilmington, and Cheryl McClay and husband Douglas; 17 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren and a host of other family and friends.
A viewing for family and friends will be held from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m., Saturday, June 27, at the McCrery Memorial Funeral Home, 3924 Concord Pike, Wilmington, followed by a service at 10:30 am. Interment will be at the Chester Bethel United Methodist Church, 2615 Foulk Road, Wilmington.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Seasons Hospice & Palliative Care of Delaware, 300 Biddle Ave. Suite 205, Newark, DE 19720.

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Helen M. Proudfoot, active church member
Helen Marie Bennett Proudfoot, 86, of Millsboro passed away Monday, June 22, 2009, at Beebe Medical Center after a long-fought battle with cancer. She was born Feb. 15, 1923, in Salem, W.Va. She graduated from Grafton High School in West Virginia and belonged to the National Honor Society. Since moving to Delaware in 1951, she was an active member of churches in Millsboro and Georgetown, a member of the United Methodist Women’s Club and the Grace United Methodist Church Choir, as well as former president of the Millsboro Women’s Civic Club.
She is survived by her devoted husband of 66 years, James Morgan Proudfoot; as well as her loving family, James R. Proudfoot of Orange Park, Fla., David and Neva Proudfoot of Millsboro, Robert and Mary Win Proudfoot of Tampa, Fla., and Michael and Kimberly Proudfoot of Millsboro; nine grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.
A funeral service will be held at 9 a.m., Friday, June 26, at Watson Funeral Home, 211 S. Washington St., Millsboro. Interment will be in Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Millsboro.

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Edwin G. Reimund, retired steam fitter
Edwin G. Reimund, 76, of Rehoboth Beach, and formerly of Springfield, Pa., died Sunday, June 21, 2009, at Beebe Medical Center, Lewes.
He was born July 15, 1932, in Eldorado, Kan., son of the late Harold and Anna Boyersmith Reimund. He was employed as a steam fitter at Local 420. He graduated from John Bartram High School in 1951 and attended Lewes First Baptist Church. He served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War and was a member of the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars. He was a 50-year Mason and the past master of A&FM Lodge 543. He was an avid fisherman and loved woodworking.
He was the husband of Noreen M. Murdock Reimund of Rehoboth Beach; at the time of Edwin’s death they had been married for 58 years. He is also survived by two daughters, Linda R. (Michael) Novack and Hope G. (John) Michener; two sons, Daniel E. (Pam) Reimund and James A. Coates; 11 grandchildren; and two-great-grandchildren.
Services were held at the Frank C. Videon Funeral Home, Broomall, Pa., with interment in Glenwood Memorial Gardens, Marple, Pa. Donations are suggested to American Legion Post 28, 31768 Legion Road, Millsboro DE 19966.

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Frances C. Parvis, church secretary
Frances Coulbourne Parvis, 96, passed away Friday, June 19, 2009, in Bayhealth at Milford Memorial Hospital, Milford.
She was born in Springfield, Mass., the daughter of the late William L. and Elizabeth Johnson Coulbourne. She was a graduate of Milford High School, class of 1931, and graduated from Goldy Beacom in Wilmington in 1932. After graduation, she worked at the Kent County Cooperative Extension until she married in 1940, then became a homemaker. She was a lifelong member of the Houston U.M. Church, where she served as financial secretary for more than 50 years, and a member of the United Methodist Women, Milford Chapter of the AARP and the Milford Century Club. In the past, she was an active member and leader of the Houston Cardinals 4-H Club and the Kent County Links.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Josiam M. Parvis, in 1999. She is survived by her daughter, Constance E. Parvis of Milford; son, Thomas Parvis and his wife Elizabeth of The Woodlands, Texas; one granddaughter, Joy Elizabeth Parvis of The Woodlands; and a brother, W. Johnson Coulbourne of Milton.
Funeral services were held at Houston U.M. Church, 235 Broad St., Houston. Interment was in Milford Community Cemetery, Milford. Contributions may be made to Houston U.M. Church, Memorial Fund, 235 Broad St., Houston, DE 19954. Arrangements handled by Berry-Short Funeral Home, Milford.

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William J. Nowakowski, retired letter carrier
Mr. William Joseph Nowakowski, 89, of Lake Wales, Fla., died at his residence Thursday, June 18, 2009, of heart failure.
He was born July 28, 1919, in Wilmington, and moved to Lake Wales 27 years ago from New Castle. He was a retired letter carrier for the U.S. Post Office, World War II Army veteran, life member of the VFW Post 7447 Rehoboth Beach, life member of American Legion Crest Haven Post 339, Fedhaven Fla., past commander and national officer of the U.S. Power Squadron and Northeast River Yacht Club both of North East, Md.
Survivors include his wife, Cecelia R. Nowakowski; three stepdaughters, Peggy McDaniel, Medina, Ohio, Diane (Christopher) Grimm, Tallmadge, Ohio, Amy (Matthew) Kruger, Akron, Ohio; six stepsons, Thomas McDaniel, Akron, Paul (Elizabeth) McDaniel, Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, Michael McDaniel, Akron, Mark (Janis) McDaniel, Akron, Christopher McDaniel, Akron and Joseph McDaniel, Akron; goddaughter, Kayla J. Kennedy, Lake Wales; six grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren; nephews, Ted Nowakowski, Rehoboth Beach, Kevin Nowakowski, Vero Beach, Fla., Bruce Nowakowski, Rehoboth Beach and James Clark, Chester, Pa.; nieces Gail Stenger, Milford, and Carole Morison, Pocomoke, Md.; grandchildren, Kathryn (James) Butke, Mary (Morgan) Siegenthaler, Justin McDaniel, Brook McDaniel and Ryan Kruger; four great-grandsons; and three great-granddaughters.
Visitation was at the Johnson Funeral Home Chapel with Mass of Christian Burial at Holy Spirit Catholic Church, Lake Wales, with the Rev. Anthony Bluett as celebrant. Interment will be at Florida National Cemetery with military honors.
Memorial of remembrance may be made to Holy Sprit Catholic Church, PO Box 232, Lake Wales, FL 33859; or to the Good Shepherd Hospice, 105 Arneson Ave., Auburndale, FL 33823.

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Thurman Adams Jr., longtime senator
Delaware Senate President Pro Tempore Thurman Adams Jr., 80, of Bridgeville, passed away peacefully at Bayhealth-Kent General Hospital, Dover, on the morning of Tuesday, June 23, 2009, surrounded by his family.

Sen. Adams was born on the Adams family farm near Bridgeville in Sussex County on July 25, 1928, the youngest of the four children of the late Thurman and Bessie Lillian Adams. He grew up working with his father and older brothers on the farm in the hardscrabble days of the Great Depression and World War II.

He received his early education in the local public schools, graduating from Bridgeville High School with the class of 1946. He went on to earn a bachelor of science degree in agricultural education from the University of Delaware in 1950. Following his college years, he returned to Bridgeville, joining his father in the family farming enterprises and grain brokerage business, T.G. Adams & Sons Inc., of which he was later the longtime president.

In 1952, he was married to the former Hilda Marie McCabe of Millville. Their union was blessed by three children, Brent, Lynn and Polly. Adams's first experience of government came in 1961, when he was appointed to the old Delaware State Highway Commission by then-Gov. Elbert N. Carvel. He served on the commission until 1970, and also chaired the Governor's Highway Safety Committee from 1966 to 1969.

He was active throughout his adult life in community and civic organizations and served on many boards and commissions. He served as president of the Eastern Shore Grain Dealers Association, trustee and chairman of the board of Bridgeville's Union United Methodist Church, president of Harrington Raceway, and director of Baltimore Trust Company, Milford Memorial Hospital and the Medical Center of Delaware.

He was a member of the Bridgeville Lions Club, Hiram Lodge No. 21, A.F. & A.M., and Nur Temple Shrine. The feelings of many of those who knew and worked with Sen. Adams in state government were summed up by Delaware Gov. Jack Markell, who said Tuesday, June 23, "Delaware lost one of its most-respected, dedicated leaders today. Sen. Adams dedicated most of his life to serving the public, and there has not been a law passed in the last 30 years that he did not touch in some way. His legacy will be felt for generations."

This was also true with regard to the Delaware judiciary. Among those Senate duties in which he took the greatest pride was his longtime chairmanship of the Senate Executive Committee, in which he oversaw the Senate confirmation process for gubernatorial appointees, including judges. As chairman, Adams wielded significant influence on the membership of the state's judiciary and was very proud of the consistently high marks Delaware's courts receive in national surveys. He was first named to the committee in 1973 and became chairman in 1977, serving in that post for the rest of his Senate career.

Among the many honors and distinctions he received during his career, several were of special significance. These include his listing in the National 4-H Club Hall of Fame, his elevation to the 33rd Degree in Masonry, the University of Delaware's Medal of Distinction and the Distinguished Public Service Award of the national Kappa Alpha fraternity.

Sen. Adams first sought elective office in 1972, winning his campaign for the Delaware State Senate, in which he continued to serve until his passing. In 1996, Adams became the senior member of the Senate and, at the time of his passing, was the longest-serving senator in Delaware history. He served as Senate majority leader from 1999 to 2003 and was elected president pro tempore by his Senate colleagues in 2003.

Among the hundreds of bills he sponsored during his Senate career was one that stood out in his mind as being among his most notable accomplishments - the legislation implementing Delaware's "Enhanced 911" program and making Delaware one of the first states to have such a system statewide. This bill has been credited with saving hundreds of lives in Delaware. He was also very proud of his many bills designed to preserve Delaware's family farms and the state's agricultural economy.

Another major interest in later years of both Sen. Adams and his wife, Hilda, who passed away in 2002, were efforts to ease the process of obtaining organ transplants. Their son, Brent Adams Sr., passed away in 2000 while awaiting a liver transplant. Following his passing, both Senator and Mrs. Adams did everything they could to make it easier for others to receive transplants in a more timely fashion.

Among those family members and loved ones who survive the senator are his daughter and son-in-law, Lynn and Tucker Kokjohn of Rehoboth Beach; his daughter and son-in-law, Polly and Jay Mervine of Bridgeville; his daughter-in-law, Eva Adams of Bridgeville; seven grandsons, Brent Jr., Chris and Matt Adams, Drew and Brad Slater, Kyle Kokjohn and Stephen Mervine; two step-grandsons, Trevor and Jeremy Kokjohn; one great-grandson, Brent Adams III; three great-granddaughters, Emily, Katie and Libby Adams; a step-great-grandson, Riley Kokjohn; his brother, Leon Adams of Newark; his sister, Beatrice Shockley of Millsboro; several nieces and nephews; and his dear friend, Nanette Corey of Bridgeville. In addition to his parents, his wife and his son, he was also preceded in death by his brother, Alvin, and by a grandson.

A funeral service will be at 10 a.m., Saturday, June 27, in the Woodbridge High School auditorium, 307 Laws St., Bridgeville. Interment will follow the service at the Bridgeville Cemetery. Friends are invited to call from 3 to 8 p.m., Friday afternoon and evening, at Union United Methodist Church, 2 Laws St., Bridgeville.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Thurman and Hilda Adams Fund of the Delaware Community Foundation, 35 The Circle, Georgetown, DE 19947. This fund will help to establish an agricultural scholarship in memory of Sen. Adams, and to continue Senator and Mrs. Adams's ongoing support for community organizations. Arrangements by Fleischauer Funeral Home, 16 West Market St., Greenwood.