09/08/09

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Chad E. Spicer, fallen officer

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Daniel Joseph Jacobi, security specialist
Daniel J. Jacobi, 56, of North East, Md., died Friday, Sept. 4, 2009, at home.
Born in Delaware Oct. 23, 1952, he was the son of Kathleen Delfeno Jacobi of Charlestown, Md., and the late Joseph Bayard Jacobi. Daniel has worked as an electrician and a personal security specialist.
He has been a bodyguard for a professional figure skater and various other professional athletes. He enjoyed horticulture, photography, music and held a black belt in karate.
In addition to his mother, he is survived by his sister, Anne M. Jacobi of Rehoboth Beach; his uncle, Domenic DiStefano; and a cousin, Domenic P. DiStefano. In addition to his father, he was also preceded in death by his aunt, Marie DiStefano.
A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m., Wednesday, Sept. 9, at Crouch Funeral Home, 127 South Main St., North East, where visitation for family and friends will begin at 10 a.m. Father Joseph Piekarski will officiate.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be made to the American Heart Association, in care of the funeral home.

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Kimberly G. Esham, retired beautician
Kimberly “Kim” G. Esham, 50, of Millsboro died Friday, Sept 4, 2009, at Nanticoke Memorial Hospital, Seaford.
She was born in Pottstown, Pa., Oct. 28, 1958, the daughter of Herbert W. and Elizabeth Feick Gabel, who both survive her.
She was retired as a beautician from Stockley Center after 25 years of service. She was an auxiliary member of Gideons International. She was a wonderful wife, mother and grandmother who was the perfect hostess who always took care of everyone. She loved camping with her “Brucie.” She loved being a Mom-mom.
In addition to her parents, she is survived by her husband of 28 years, Bruce James Esham; her son Matthew James Esham; and her in-laws, Beatrice Esham Nelson and stepfather Dave Nelson. She is also survived by two brothers, Gregory A. Gabel and his companion Nancy Denham of Georgetown, and Donald W. Gabel and wife Dora of Rochester, N.Y.; a sister, Kathy E. Scott and husband Leon M. of Houston; a grandchild, Blake James Esham; four nephews, Christopher, Anthony, Calvin and Jeffery; three nieces, Samantha, Liana and Candice; also numerous cousins, aunts, uncles and extended family and friends.
Services will be held at 2 p.m., Wednesday, Sept. 9, at Bayshore Community Church in Gumboro. Friends may call two hours prior to the service, from noon to 2 p.m. Interment will be in Westwoods Cemetery, on Westwood Road near Gumboro.
In lieu of flowers contributions are suggested to Gideons International, Sussex County Camp, P.O. Box 281, Millsboro, DE 19966-0281

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Dorothy Mae Dukes, family matriarch
Dorothy Mae Dukes, 91, of Dagsboro, passed away Thursday, Sept. 3, 2009, at Atlantic General Hospital, Berlin, Md. Mrs. Dukes was born May 19, 1918, in Salisbury, Md., to the late Adolphus Lee and Georgia Alice Lokey. Mrs. Dukes was a member of the Emmanuel’s House in Millsboro. She was the matriarch of her family; she loved her church and her family, loved crossword puzzles and collecting her musical knickknacks.
She is survived by her husband, Warren Dukes; three sons, Thomas Biddle and wife Faye of Lake Wales, Fla., James Alexander of Millsboro, and Donald Alexander of Millsboro; two daughters, Patricia Jones and husband Morris of Delmar, and Brenda J. Molnar and husband Butch of Berlin; one brother, William Lokey of Salisbury; 11 grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and 17 great-great-grandchildren.
Services will be 2 p.m., Tuesday, Sept. 8, at the Watson Funeral Home, 211 S. Washington St., Millsboro, where friends may call at 1 p.m. Pastor Sam Dennis and Pastor Ben Singletary will officiate the service. Interment will be at Millsboro Cemetery.
The family would like to publicly thank Ben and Beverly Singletary and Pastor Dennis for all they have done to help over the years. She loved them like family.

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Leroy H. Ryan Jr., retired toll collector
Leroy H. Ryan Jr., 74, of Lewes, formerly of Frankford, passed away Thursday, Sept. 3, 2009, at the Delaware Hospice Center in Milford.
He was born in Lewes, son of the late Leroy and Christine McCarthy Ryan. Leroy was a veteran of the Korean War, serving with the U.S. Air Force. He was a retired toll collector for the Delaware River and Bay Authority. He was a member of Delaware Mobile Surf Fishermen’s Association and the Civil Air Patrol. Leroy was preceded in death by his wife, Margaret Ryan in 1995.
He is survived by his wife, Yvonne V. Ryan; three daughters, Deborah Fisher, Linda Hutchinson and Danielle Estes, all of Blacksburg, S.C.; four stepchildren, Raymond Hearn of Mt. Joy, Pa., Patrice Morris of Bridgeville, Donna Donovan of Milton and Sharon Thomas of Georgetown; a brother, G. Gary Ryan and his wife Patricia of Georgetown; four grandchildren, Kristin Mitchell of Newark, Rose Thorton of Blacksburg, Bobby Larsen of Lockhart, S.C., and Wyatt Hutchinson of Spartanburg, S.C.; eight great-grandchildren; four step-grandchildren; and two step-great-grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held at 3 p.m., Tuesday, Sept. 8, at the chapel of Melson Funeral Services on Thatcher Street in Frankford. Burial will be private. In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorial contributions in Leroy’s memory to Delaware Hospice Center, 100 Patriots Way, Milford, DE. 19963.

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James ‘Jimmy” Deputy, retired salesman
James R. “Jimmy” Deputy, 84, of Milford, died Thursday, Sept. 3, 2009, at the Delaware Veterans Nursing Home in Milford.
He served in the U.S. Army. Mr. Deputy worked for W.T. Grant Co., in Dover in retail sales for 33 years and also worked at JC Penney in Milford for 10 years. He worked as a custodian in Milford School District for 12 years and was chief custodian for Benjamin Banneker Elementary School prior to retiring. Mr. Deputy was involved in various organizations throughout the community. He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church, Milford, a 50-year member of Temple Masonic Lodge 9 and a 32nd Degree Scottish Rite Mason. He was a charter member of the Milford VFW Lodge 6483, the Milford Odd Fellows, the Tall Cedars and the Improved Order of Red Men Delaware for 63 years. He loved collecting antiques and in earlier years refinishing them. Mr. Deputy loved walking and gardening.
He is survived by his wife of 51 years, Patricia Hall Deputy; two children, Elizabeth Ann Deputy-Palmese of Hainesport, N.J., and son James Morris Deputy of Middletown; two sisters, Virginia Marshall of Rehoboth, and Dianne Gilewski of Milford; five grandchildren, Luisa, Elia and Lidia Palmese and Alexis and Margaux Deputy; and his favorite pet pug, Nick.
Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m., Wednesday, Sept. 9, in the chapel of Berry Short Funeral Home, 119 NW Front St., Milford, where friends may call from 7 to 9 p.m., Tuesday, Sept. 8. Interment will be Milford Community Cemetery. In lieu of flowers contributions can be made to First Presbyterian Church, 101 S. Walnut St., Milford, DE 19963.

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Ronald Milton Messick, volunteer fireman
Ronald Milton Messick, 57, passed away Wednesday, Sept. 2, 2009, after a short but courageous battle with cancer. His kindness, humor and love of life will always be remembered.
Ronnie was raised in Seaford and lived most of his adult life in Laurel. He was a past member of Blades Volunteer Fire Department. He was a member of Delmar VFW Post 8276 where he served as Men’s Auxiliary president, Laurel American Legion Post 19 and American Legion Riders Post 24 in Dagsboro. Ron is survived by his wife, Antoinette (Toni); his daughter, Lindsey Elliott, her husband Shawn and grandsons Shawn Jr. and Ethan, and granddaughter Aubrey of Laurel; his daughter, Amy Lee Messick, her fiancé, Josh Hartnett, and granddaughter Ava Lee of Marydel; his son, Shawn Messick, his wife Tracey, and grandsons, Austin, Landon and Ian of Laurel; his mother, Norma Lee Messick of Seaford; his sister, Janice M. Sanders and her husband Richard of Preston, Md.; his nieces, Kimberly C. Williams of Ocean City, Md., and Kerri Lee Cummings-Usselmann of Dusseldorf, Germany. He was predeceased by his father, J. Milton Messick.
Prior to his death he donated his trademark ponytail to Locks of Love. It was his wish to donate his body to science to help find a cure for cancer. A memorial service was held at Delmar VFW Post 8276. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the American Cancer Society, 92 Reads Way - Suite 205, New Castle DE 19720.

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Wanda Polinski, dedicated to daughter
Wanda Polinski, 92, died Friday, Sept. 4, 2009, after suffering from the effects of a recent fall. Wanda was born in Sugar Notch, Pa., Oct. 14, 1916, to Peter and Michalina Kimsel Godlewski. On May 27, 1944, Wanda married Stanley Polinski, the love of her life. Stanley and Wanda raised two children, Janice and Joseph. Wanda unselfishly spent 32 years of her life dedicated to caring for her severely handicapped daughter Janice; she never once considered placement in a nursing home. Wanda physically and emotionally sacrificed the enjoyment of so many simple pleasures that most families take for granted so she could provide the loving care only a mother could give. Wanda also made sure her son, Joseph, was given the foundation to pursue his dreams.
Wanda and her family lived in the Bustleton section of Northeast Philadelphia from 1953 until 1996, when she moved to West Chester, Pa., to live with her son, Joe, and his wife, Bernie. From there, Wanda moved with Joe and Bernie to Rehoboth Beach in 2004. It was here that Wanda enjoyed and cherished so many new friends. She loved going to the CHEER Center at Harbour Lights where she met good friends who helped her enjoy all the simple pleasures of life that eluded her while raising Janice. Wanda loved her Phillies, Duke University basketball and playing bingo and card games.
Wanda’s husband Stanley died in 1985 and her daughter Janice died in 1977. Wanda is survived by her dedicated and loving caregivers, her son Joseph and daughter-in-law Bernadette. She is also survived by her brothers, Peter Godleski and his wife Vera and Bernard Godleski and his wife Marge; sisters-in-law Josephine Pillon and Delores Polinski; many nieces and nephews and their families; and by her extended family, the Ashworths, McCalls and Gullifers. Wanda was predeceased by her siblings, Stanley Godleski, John Godleski, Zigmund Godleski and Stephie Godleski Slonina. Wanda will be missed by her companion and granddog, Buddy. The family would like to thank the entire staff of Harbor Healthcare in Lewes for providing Wanda a loving and compassionate transition to her death. Visitation for Wanda will be held from 7 to 9 p.m., Tuesday, Sept. 8, with a Catholic vigil service at 8:30 p.m., at Parsell Funeral Homes & Crematorium, Atkins-Lodge Chapel, 16961 Kings Highway, Lewes. There will also be visitation from 7 to 9 p.m., Wednesday, Sept. 9, at Strish Funeral Home, 105 North Main St., Ashley, Pa., and again at the funeral home from 8 to 9 a.m., Thursday, Sept. 10, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 9:30 a.m., at Holy Family Church, 828 Main St., Sugar Notch. Interment will follow at St. Mary’s Cemetery, Hanover Twp., Pa.
In lieu of flowers, Wanda’s family suggests donations to St. Edmond’s Catholic Church, King Charles Avenue and Laurel Street, Rehoboth Beach, DE 19971, or Children’s Beach House, 1800 Bay Ave., Lewes, DE 19958, where Wanda will be remembered with a memorial.