08/07/09

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William Hammond Sr., business owner
William Alfred Hammond Sr., 78, of Frankford, formerly of Blades, passed away Monday, Aug. 3, 2009, at the Delaware Hospice Center in Milford.
Mr. Hammond was born May 18, 1931, in Blades, son of the late Alfred and Sanaria Neal Hammond. Bill owned and operated several businesses including Keep Kool Air, an HVAC company, and Bethany Beach’s Exxon and Texaco stations. He also taught the electrical trade through the union while receiving his master’s in education. Mr. Hammond and his wife moved from Blades to Frankford in 1976, where he continued to run his service stations and work as an educator. Mr. Hammond was very active in politics as a young man and served as the mayor of Blades, a member of the Blades Town Council, a member of the school board and was voted Delaware’s Young Man of the Year in 1963. He was also a lifetime member of both the Blades Volunteer Fire Company and the Millville Volunteer Fire Company.
In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his loving wife of 57 years, Joan Conner Hammond, who passed in June 2008. He is survived by six children, William A. Hammond Jr. and his wife Carol of Frankford, Nancy Trice and her husband Ron of Seaford, John Hammond and his wife Judi of Lewes, Karen Massey and her husband Dale of Seaford, Kathy Reinhart of Lewes, and a daughter, Lisa Thomas and her husband Rick of Frankford, with whom he lived. Bill is also survived by 12 grandchildren, BJ, Aaron, Shane and Zachary Hammond; RJ, Mike and Christina Trice; Tyler and Mary Massey; Curtis and Melanie Reinhart; and Willie Thomas; and nine great-grandchildren, Jasmine, Ashton, JT, Brendan, Brooklynn and Jonathan Trice, and Sky, Gabi and Kyra Hammond.
A funeral service with fireman’s honors will be held at 3 p.m., Monday, Aug. 10, at the Ocean View Chapel of Melson Funeral Services, 38040 Muddy Neck Road, Ocean View, where friends and family may call after 2 p.m. Interment will be held at Mariner’s Bethel Cemetery in Ocean View.
In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorial contributions in William’s name to the Millville Volunteer Fire Company’s Building Fund, P.O. Box 64, Millville, DE 19970; or to the Delaware Hospice Center, 100 Patriots Way, Milford, DE 19963.

Sean Christopher Lee, accomplished drummer
Sean Christopher Lee, 45, of Lewes, passed away Saturday, Aug. 1, 2009, at Thomas Jefferson Neuroscience Hospital in Philadelphia, Pa.
Sean was born in 1963 in Washington, D.C., and grew up in Oakton in northern Virginia. After high school, he lived in Tampa, Fla., for three years, and then in the Cincinnati, Ohio area for seven years. He returned to Virginia in 1990 and moved to the Delaware beach area four years ago. He worked as a security systems installer until he had to retire on disability in 1991 due to his nearly life-long struggle with Type 1 diabetes.
Sean’s passion in life was music. He was an accomplished drummer, who played in his first band when he was in fourth grade, and continued playing throughout his life. He had an extensive knowledge of the history of rock and blues music. His last CD, “Muggles Jones,” came out in 2006.
Sean is remembered with love and admiration for his courage and positive spirit in the face of many years of chronic illness. He lived a life filled with music, humor and love for his family.
Sean is survived by his four children, Rachael Lee and Matthew Lee of Cincinnati, Ohio, and Jacob Lee and Rebekah Lee of Lewes; and by his mother and stepmother, Carol Bruce and Deanna Duby of Milton. He will also be missed by his many loving friends and fellow musicians.
A memorial service with music to celebrate his life is planned for 4 p.m., Sunday, Sept. 20, at the Milton Theatre. Memorial donations can be made in Sean’s name either to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, 1400 K St. NW, Suite 725, Washington, D.C. 20005; or to Delaware Hospice Inc., 100 Patriots Way, Milford, DE 19963.
Arrangements handled by Short Funeral Services, Milton.

John ‘Jack’ Veader, retired educator
John Elmon “Jack” Veader, of Ocean Pines, Md., died peacefully Friday, July 31, 2009, after a brief illness. He was born Sept. 6, 1924, in Massillon, Ohio, the only son of Elmon F. and Helen S. Veader. He was predeceased by his parents and his sisters, Mary Jane, Carol and Nannette.
He grew up in Massillon, then moved to Charleston, W.Va., where he attended and graduated from Stonewall Jackson High School in 1942. During World War II, Jack enlisted in the Army Air Corps (USAF) and served during the war as a bombardier. He attended West Virginia University, graduating in 1948 with a bachelor of science degree and in 1949 with a master’s in education. While at college, he was a member of Phi Delta Theta. It was also in college where he met and fell in love with his future wife, Elizabeth “Jody” Comstock. They were married Dec. 28, 1947.
During his nearly 30 years in education, Jack taught math and coached basketball at Southern High School in Oakland, Md., taught math at Golden Ring Junior High School in Baltimore County and then served as a guidance counselor and pupil personnel worker for the county schools until his retirement in 1977.
Jack and Jody raised their four children, Chris, Susan, John and Rick, in Overlea, Baltimore County. After retirement, Jack and Jody moved to Ocean Pines.
Affectionately known to his family and friends as “Big Jack,” he will be remembered for his love of golf, horse racing, singing, musical theatre and family. Some of his favorite places to be were on the tees early in the morning, in his box watching the races at Ocean Downs, singing bass in any number of choirs and choruses, on stage with the Ocean Pines Players and surrounded by his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Big Jack is survived by his loving wife of 61 years, Jody; his children, daughters Chris Turcotte and her husband Jack of Arundel, Maine, and Susan Hall and her husband John of Lewes; sons, John and his wife Leslie of Bentonville, Ark., and Rick and his wife Janet of Baltimore, Md.: his grandchildren, Annie Veader of Mansfield, Texas; Michael Veader and his wife Heather of Arlington, Texas; Jack and Jill Veader of Bentonville, Erin Hall Handley and her husband Rob of Lewes, Matt Hall and his fiancée Devon Pierce of Pasadena, Md., Taryn Turcotte and Leif Oxburgh of South Portland, Maine, Jeff Turcotte of Ellsworth, Maine, Todd Turcotte and his wife Deena of Holden, Mass.; Rick Veader of Baltimore, David Jones-Bierman and his wife Christy of Salisbury, Md., and Jennifer Hutchins of Baltimore; his great-grandchildren, Nicholas, Callie and Meghan Deleon, Parker and Breanna Veader, Tyler and Colby Turcotte, Nicholas, Julianna, Jessica and Dakota Bierman, and Christopher and Matthew Hutchins.
Arrangements have been made through the Burbage Funeral Home in Berlin, Md. It was Big Jack’s request that no memorial service be held, and he will be laid to rest near his parents and sister in the Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Baltimore.

Eda Fruchtman, Holocaust survivor
Eda Fruchtman, 86, died Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2009, at her home in Dewey Beach.
She was a Holocaust survivor from Lodz, Poland.
She is survived by her husband of 63 years, Leon; sons Eric (Vicky), Marc (Cheryl) and David (Samantha); nine grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.
The family would like to acknowledge the help of caregivers June, Tish, Gwen, Annie and Monique.
Funeral services were held at Schoenberg Memorial Chapel, Wilmington. Shiva will be held at the Seaside Jewish Community Center at 8 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 8, and 7 p.m., Sunday, Aug. 9.
In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, 100 Raoul Wallenberg Place SW, Washington, D.C. 20024-2126 or Delaware Hospice Center, 100 Patriots Way, Milford, DE 19963.

Michael Shaw Gordon, beach lover
Michael Shaw Gordon, 55, of Millsboro, died Thursday, July 30, 2009, in his home.
Born in Washington, D.C., Aug. 7, 1953, he served in the U.S. Army, worked for newspapers and printing companies in Maryland and ran a laundry business in Delaware. He was a lover of computers, cats, music and coffee and dreamed of retiring at the beach in Mexico or Turks and Caicos.
He is survived by his daughter, Holly D. Gordon of Richmond, Va.; and his mother, Dorothy Cross Gordon of Millsboro. He was preceded in death by his father, Peter Frank Gordon Jr.
Services will be private. Arrangements by Bennie Smith Funeral Homes of Millsboro.

William T. Gibbs, DuPont retiree
William Thomas Gibbs, 66, of Georgetown, was born May 21, 1943, in Lake Landing, N.C. William went home to be with the Lord Saturday, Aug. 1, 2009.
Born to the late Sophia and Melton, William grew up in Lake Landing until the family moved to Delaware. He attended Delaware public schools including William C. Jason High School in Georgetown, and later earned his high school diploma from James H. Groves High School. William continued his education by earning an associates degree from Delaware Technical & Community College, Georgetown, as well as completing 90 credits of theological studies at Alpha Bible Institute, Jamaica, N.Y. He served in the U.S. regular Army in Ft. Buchanan, Panama during the Vietnam era. He also served nearly 14 years in the Delaware Army National Guard as a combat medic before being honorably discharged.
Holding various jobs while growing up, William’s most recent employment included working at Dupont, Seaford, until retiring in 1991. William also worked as an administrative assistant for Booker Street Church of God and as a bus driver for Easter Seals of Maryland and Delaware. As an active member of the Booker Street Church of God, Georgetown, William served the Lord as past president of the men’s fellowship, member of the usher board, assistant superintendent of Sunday school, substitute Sunday school teacher, former finance director and former trustee.
He was preceded in death by two sisters, Carol Lee Gibbs of Georgetown, and Annie Evans of Ellendale; and one brother, Golden Lee Gibbs of Harbeson. He leaves to mourn his memories his wife of 21 years, Lutisha Gibbs of Georgetown; six children, Michelle (Elijah) Drummond of Seaford, Roy Roberts Jr. (Toya) and Terrence Roberts (Lynette), both of Bridgeville, Raphael Roberts (Vonshell) of Seaford, Cpt. Poquita Gibbs of Ft. Leonard Wood, Mo., and Philana (Tobias) Mullen of Dover. William also leaves to cherish his memory one sister, Hattie Durogene of Ellendale; one brother, Johnny Gibbs (Joann) of Georgetown; two sisters-in-law, Inez Barnes and Rosemary Pinkett of Federalsburg, Md.; 13 grandchildren, four great-grandchildren, several nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and a host of other family and friends.
Funeral services will be 11 a.m., Friday, Aug. 7, at Grace U.M. Church, Georgetown, where friends may call two hours prior to the funeral. Burial will be in Delaware Veterans Cemetery, Millsboro. Arrangements are being handled by Bennie Smith Funeral Home, Seaford.

Robert N. Hopkins, oldest UD alumnus
Robert Nielsen Hopkins, 93, of Milton passed away peacefully with family by his side at his farmhouse near Coolspring Wednesday, July 29, 2009.
He was born Oct. 7, 1915, in Milton. He was the son of Dr. Robert Black Hopkins and Marie Nielsen Hopkins. He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Connie M. Hopkins; his four sons, Peter M. Hopkins of Placentia, Calif., Mark Hopkins of Milton, James A. Hopkins of Milton and Josiah N. Hopkins of Drexel Hill, Pa.; and 14 grandchildren. A niece, Patsy Crabb of Milford, also survives him. He was preceded in death by his sister, Winnifred Hopkins and brothers James A. Hopkins and John A Hopkins Sr., all of Milton.
He was a man of many talents and occupations. He was a graduate of Milton High School. After graduating high school, he worked on the family farm, farming and raising nursery stock, then going on to attend the University Of Delaware where he earned a degree in chemistry, class of 1939. At the time of his passing he was the oldest living UD alumnus He went back to Milton High School to become a teacher and taught geometry and industrial arts classes. He also was a school bus driver before and after school. During World War II, he was employed by Allied Chemical and Dye Co., as a chemist. He went on to start his own business, Neilsen Incorporated, making his own custom designs and graphics for furniture slipcovers. He also worked for a time for Continental Diamond & Fiber Co.
In 1962, he accepted a position at the University of Pennsylvania in the physics department as a research specialist. While there he helped set up lab experiments for students, and his extensive research helped continuously improve on techniques and lab procedures.
Before retiring in 1980 he wrote many research papers and articles that appeared in the American Journal of Physics .
Mr. Hopkins enjoyed spending the summers as a boy on Broadkill Beach, swimming, fishing and boating. He spent many summer vacations there with family and stayed current with local events.
His hobbies and interests were numerous and varied; they included daily watching of the commodity and futures markets, the origins of the universe, writing scientific papers dealing with pollution of the Inland Bays, the big bang theory, photo-electric effect and many more. He loved to read and he loved to converse with people and share ideas, especially with younger people.
Mr. Hopkins was a devoted husband, father and grandfather. He cherished his close family ties and friends and loved getting together with them. He was a humble man full of pride, but not prideful, who put others before himself up to the very end. He loved nature and animals and one of his favorite things was a Sunday drive with his wife around the Prime Hook Wildlife Refuge.
He had a love for the land that was strongly instilled and passed along to his children and grandchildren.
He believed strongly that farmland and open spaces needed to be preserved for future generations and he was proud his family in Sussex had been doing that for well over 200 years. He loved Delaware and was proud to be a Sussex Countian. He also loved researching and talking about genealogy. Services are private. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to: Salvation Army, 701 North Broad St., Philadelphia, PA 19123 or Vitas Hospice Care, 100 Commerce Drive, Suite 302, Newark, DE 19713.
Arrangements handled by Short Funeral Services, Milton.

Shirley Ann Sheridan, Avon representative
Shirley Ann Krixer Sheridan, 81, of Millsboro, passed away Friday, July 21, 2009, at home. Mrs. Sheridan was born Sept. 21, 1927, in Baltimore, Md., to the late Emory W. and Anna M. Freeland Krixer.
Mrs. Sheridan was a homemaker and was well known as an Avon representative. She previously worked for Monumental Book Bindery, Aid Drug Pharmacy and Maryland Casualty Company. She loved her family dearly, and loved flowers and plants and reading.
She is survived by her husband of 65 years, John F. Sheridan Jr.; her children, Cheryl Ann Frederick of Westminster, Md., Kelly K. Sheridan and his wife Mary of Millsboro, Connie R. Sheridan and companion William Stevens of Westminster, J. Coleen Sipes and husband Roy II of Taneytown, Md., and John F. Sheridan III of Millsboro; cousins, Marlene Joyce of Coral Gables, Fla., and Dorothy Simpkins of Evansville, Ind.; seven grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; and 17 great-great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by a grandson, Derik M. Sipes.
A memorial service will be held at the Bayshore Community Church, 36759 Millsboro Highway, at 1 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 15. Pastor Jeff Hudson will officiate the service.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to the American Cancer Society, any humane society or to the Bayshore Community Church.

Charles R. Sweitzer, postal clerk
Charles R. Sweitzer, 64, of Rehoboth Beach, passed away Sunday, Aug. 2, 2009, at his residence. He was born Sept. 29, 1944, in York, Pa., to the late Edmond and Florence Godfrey Sweitzer.
Mr. Sweitzer was employed as a clerk for the U.S. Postal Service.
He is survived by his loving partner of 40 years, Thomas J. Murray of Rehoboth Beach. He will be missed by his family in York and his caring friends here at the beach.
All services are private. Arrangements are being handled by Parsell Funeral Homes & Crematorium, Lewes.
Memorial contributions may be made to Casa San Francisco, PO Box 38, 127 Broad St., Milton, DE 19968.

Feather committal service set
A committal service with military honors for Isaac K. Feather Jr., 91, of Ocean View, who passed away Tuesday, July 14, 2009, will be held at 10 a.m., Monday, Aug. 10, at Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemetery, 26669 Patriots Way, Millsboro. Arrangements by Parsell Funeral Homes & Crematorium, Clarksville Chapel, Ocean View.

Lillie D. Campbell, DuPont employee
Lillie D. Campbell, 86, of Laurel, went home to be with the Lord Sunday, Aug. 2, 2009, at Nanticoke Memorial Hospital in Seaford.
She was born in Laurel, a daughter of the late Albert Dickerson and Katie Ellen Cordrey Dickerson. She was a 1940 graduate of Laurel High School. She worked for the E.I. DuPont Company of Seaford in the 1950s. Lillie was a wonderful homemaker, wife and mother. She was well known in Sussex County for her delicious cooking. Many of her specialties include homemade cornbread, yeast rolls and a coconut cake that would attract the most attention at the Mt. Pleasant church auctions. She was a lifetime member of Mt. Pleasant United Methodist Church where she taught Sunday school for many years.
She is survived by her sons, Dean Campbell Esq. and wife R. Alaine of Milton, and Dr. William Campbell and wife Carlene of Laurel; a brother, J. Robert Dickerson of Laurel; grandchildren, Jonathan Campbell and wife Heather, Megan Campbell, Michael Campbell and David Campbell. In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by her husband, Nelson Campbell; a brother, Joe Dickerson; and a sister, Pearl Northam.
A funeral service was held at Mt. Pleasant United Methodist Church. Interment followed in Mt. Pleasant Church Cemetery.
Contributions may be made in her honor to the Mt. Pleasant United Methodist Church, c/o Ellen Hearn, 36197 Susan Beach Road, Delmar, DE 19940.
The Hannigan, Short, Disharoon Funeral Home of Laurel served the Campbell family.

Maurice ‘Whitey’ Parks, GM retiree
Maurice J. “Whitey” Parks, 89, of Millsboro, died Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2009, at home surrounded by friends and caretakers.
He attended Houston School. In his early years he worked for the Pennsylvania Railroad. He retired from General Motors, Boxwood Plant in 1978 after more than 30 years.
He enjoyed woodworking, loved boating, fishing and traveling.
His wife, Betty Biggins Parks in 1990 preceded him in death.
He is survived by his sister, Jackie Newcomb of Redwood Valley, Calif.; a niece and nephew, both of Ukiah, Calif.; and friends and caregivers, Bob and Gloria Miller of Milton.
Graveside services will be held at 11:30 a.m., Monday, Aug. 10, at St. George’s Chapel Cemetery, Beaver Dam Road, Lewes. Friends may call Monday morning from 10 to 11 a.m. in the chapel of Short Funeral Services, 416 Federal St., Milton.

Capt. William Aikens, sports fisherman
Capt. William “Bill” Aikens, 68, passed away peacefully Monday, Aug. 3, 2009, at Beebe Medical Center in Lewes, after fighting cancer for two years. His family and dear friends surrounded Bill during this difficult time.
Bill was the son of the late Leta M. Friday and William R. Aikens. He was born in Corie, Pa., and moved to Lewes at a very young age. He graduated from Lewes High School in 1961. After high school, Bill married his high school sweetheart Joanne Maull, daughter of Baily and Betty Maull, also of Lewes. Joanne was a loving and devoted wife until the very end.
Bill was the loving father of Capt. Michael Aikens, Capt. William P. Aikens Jr. and Virginia “Ginger” Aikens, all of Lewes. He was also the proud grandfather of Megan Aikens, Nicole Aikens and William P. Aikens III.
Bill worked at Barcroft for 10 years and retired early to pursue his passion for sport fishing. After obtaining his captain’s license, he owned and operated a successful charter business for 30-plus years. After charter fishing, he started running private sport fishing yachts throughout the Bahamas, the Caribbean, South America and Central America. Bill mentored countless young fishermen and introduced them to the profession that he dearly loved. His family will continue to carry on his legacy through sport fishing for years to come. Bill will be missed, but never forgotten.
A memorial service was held at the chapel of Melson Funeral Services, 32013 Long Neck Road in Long Neck. Burial was private.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions in Bill’s memory to Tunnell Cancer Center, 424 Savannah Road, Lewes, DE 19958.