09/15/09

~

Caroline Matilda Smith, homemaker
Caroline Matilda Smith, 88, of Smyrna, died Friday, Sept. 11, 2009, in Smyrna. Mrs. Smith was born Nov. 11, 1920, in Easton, Pa., the daughter of the late John D. and Ida Brown Weiant. Mrs. Smith was a homemaker who enjoyed crocheting and dancing in her younger days. She was a 28-year life member of the American Legion in Hinesville, Ga. In addition to her parents, Mrs. Smith was preceded in death by her husband Collins Smith Sr.; a son, David Smith; a brother, Samuel Weiant; and two sisters, Lillian Fleming and Charlotte Barzak. She is survived by her daughter and caregiver, Ethel Reed of Dover; five sons, Collins Smith Jr. of Wilmington, Lawrence Smith and his wife Sally of Venice, Fla., George Smith and his wife Beth of Wilmington, Robert Smith of Wilmington, and Francis Smith of Wilmington; three sisters, Katherine Maichle of Rehoboth Beach, Doris Waters of Mobile, Ala., and Betty Garica of New Castle; three brothers, Richard Weiant of New Castle, Charles Weiant of New Castle, and Roy Weiant of Middletown; a host of grandchildren, great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be 11 a.m., Wednesday, Sept. 16, in the Faries Funeral Chapel, 29 South Main St., Smyrna. A viewing will be held Tuesday, Sept. 15, from 6 to 8 p.m. Burial will be in Gracelawn Memorial Park in Wilmington. Arrangements are by Faries Funeral Directors and Crematorium, Inc., 29 South Main St., Smyrna.

~

Morris W. States Sr., loved camping
Morris “Sam” W. States Sr., 75, of Millsboro, formerly of New Castle, passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family on Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2009, at his home.
Mr. States was born July 22, 1934, son of the late George W. Jr. and Sallie Morris States. Sam worked at Tidewater, Grubb Lumber Co. and retired from Wilmington Chemical. He moved to Sussex County in 1995 and worked part time at Holly Lake where he loved to camp. However, most of all he loved his wife, children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He also loved sports, playing the lottery and he was always working on something around the house. Sam enjoyed visiting his best friends Howard and Joyce and having lunch with his Aunt Mary. He had such a big heart and would do anything for his family and friends. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by a daughter, Shirlann.
He is survived by his loving wife of 53 years, Sandra Lee Fisher States; a daughter, Belinda and her husband Tom; four sons, Billy, Chucky, Robert and his wife Ann, and Michael; 12 grandchildren, Willey, Jamie and husband Greg, Dawn and husband Jason, Traci and husband Bud, Jen and husband Mike, Julie, Tommy, Bobby, Kristen, Chris, Charlie and Nathan; and 19 great grandchildren. He is also survived by a brother, Buddy and his wife Katherine, and two sisters, Barbara and Nancy.
A viewing will be held from 10 to 11 a.m., Wednesday, Sept. 16, at the Long Neck Chapel of Melson Funeral Services, 32013 Long Neck Road, Millsboro. A chapel service will also be held at 2 p.m., Wednesday, in the chapel of Gracelawn Memorial Park, 2220 N. DuPont Highway, New Castle, where interment will follow in the adjoining cemetery.
Flowers are accepted or donations to the Tunnell Cancer Center, 424 Savannah Road, Lewes, DE 19958.

~

Ava Draper, Chester native
Alva R. Draper, 91, of Burke, Va., formerly of Wilmington, passed away peacefully Thursday, Sept. 10, 2009, at her home. Alva, daughter of the late E. Charles Spevak and Rosie Teuchert Spevak, was born in Chester, Pa., on Aug. 30, 1918, and graduated from Ridley Township High School, class of 1936. Her husband of 60 years, Norman J. Draper Sr., died in 2001.
Alva is survived by her son, Norman John Draper Jr. and his wife Marcia Draper of Southport, N.C.; her daughter, Sharon Jean Turner and her husband, Patrick Turner of Rehoboth Beach; eight grandchildren, Catherine Draper-Cowan, Lloyd Draper, Sam Draper, Debra Moone, Marcia Draper, Emily Lloyd, Elizabeth Gibbons and David Lloyd; and seven great-grandchildren.
A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m., Tuesday, Sept. 15, at the chapel of Gracelawn Memorial Park, Dupont Highway, New Castle where friends may call after 10 a.m. Interment will be in the adjoining memorial park.
Arrangements by McCrery Funeral Homes.

~

Mary S. Murray, mortgage specialist
Mary Denise “Nisi” Sullivan Murray, 65, of Millsboro, passed away suddenly at her residence Thursday, Sept. 10, 2009.
She was born Oct. 26, 1943, in Wilmington, daughter of the late Eugene Francis and Flora Augusta Hollett Sullivan. For many years Mrs. Murray worked as a mortgage specialist for the former Bank of Delaware. Recently until her illness, she worked at the Back Creek General Store in Chesapeake City, Md. She was an avid reader, enjoyed taking cruises and loved playing the slots.
In addition to her parents she was predeceased by her husband, William H. Murray in November 2007 and her sister, Francine Phillips in 2002. She is survived by her son Brendon Murray of Milton; and two sisters, Susan Sullivan and Nano Mitchell, both of Lewes.
Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 11 a.m., Tuesday, Sept. 15, at St. Edmond’s Catholic Church, King Charles Avenue and Laurel Street, Rehoboth Beach, where friends may call at the church one hour prior to Mass. Burial will be at Epworth Methodist Cemetery, Rehoboth Beach.
Memorials may be made to Lewes Public Library, 111 Adams Ave., Lewes, DE 19958.
Services performed under the direction of Parsell Funeral Homes & Crematorium, Lewes.

~

George W. Hudson, retired mechanic
George W. Hudson, “N3ZFM,” 71, Millsboro, died Fri, Sept. 11, 2009, at home.
He was born April 10, 1938, in Ocean View, the son of the late Thomas and Leona Powell Hudson.
He was retired as a mechanic from Hitchens Auto Supply in Millsboro.
He was a Baptist, and attended Calvary Baptist Church in Georgetown. He was an avid fan of amateur radio, and active in ham radio clubs. He was a loving husband, father and grandfather.
He is survived by his wife of 39 years, Rachel White Hudson; four sons, Steven Hudson and his wife Mary C. of Millsboro, Buddy Lockwood and his wife Tish of Georgetown; Troy Allen Lockwood and wife Jill of Syracuse, N.Y., and Tony Hudson of Georgetown. He is also survived by two brothers, Paul Hudson of Dagsboro and William Hudson of Selbyville and a sister, Elsie Jarman of Dagsboro. He has nine grandchildren and one great-grandchild; and is also survived by many nieces, nephews, friends and pals in the ham radio club.
He was preceded in death by one brother, Roland Hudson and one sister, Odetta Bradner.
Services will be at 11 a.m., Friday, Sept. 18, at Watson Funeral Home in Millsboro, with Pastor Richard Blades officiating. Friends may call one hour prior for viewing and visitation.
Interment will be in Cokesbury United Methodist Church Cemetery.

~

Marie C. Collins, Millsboro resident
Marie C. Collins, 81, of Millsboro, formerly of Philadelphia, Pa., passed away suddenly Wednesday Sept. 9, 2009, at her home.
She was born in Darby, Pa., daughter of the late Charles and Agnes Gillen Gray. Along with her parents, she was preceded in death by two sons, Leo and Michael Collins.
She is survived by her loving husband of 58 years, Leo M. Collins; son, John Collins; two daughters, Louise Schaefer and Dorothy McGuckin; her brother, Charlie Gillen; sisters, Catherine Navickas and Betty Carpenter; nine grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.
A memorial service was held Monday, Sept. 14, at the chapel of Melson Funeral Services, 32013 Long Neck Road, Millsboro.

~

John J. Nasko, sales manager
John J. Nasko, 73, of Millsboro, formerly of Chester, Pa., passed away peacefully Thursday, Sept. 10, 2009 at his home. Mr. Nasko was a veteran of the United States Army.
Mr. Nasko was employed with Boeing for 18 years in Ridley Park, Pa., and then with Nik-O-Lok, retiring as the regional sales manager in 1998 after 15 years of service. After John’s retirement from the Chester, Pa. area he and his wife moved to the Millsboro area. He enjoyed playing and watching golf.
He was preceded in death by his mother, Josephine Fisher.
He is survived by his loving wife of 37 years, Joan Weed Nasko; a daughter, Lisa Nasko Marino and her husband Donato of Washington Township, N.J.; four stepsons, Lance Orner and his wife Mari Jane of Billings, Mont., Daniel Orner and his wife Ruth Ann of Upland, Pa., Rick Orner and his wife Gwynne of Oxford, Pa., and Stephen Orner of Mansfield, Pa.; seven grandchildren; one great-granddaughter; and a sister, Sallie Frail of Bethel, Pa.
A prayer service will be held at 10 a.m., Tuesday, Sept. 15, at the Long Neck Chapel of Melson Funeral Services, 32013 Long Neck Road, Millsboro, where friends and family may call after 8:30 a.m.
A Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 11 a.m., Tuesday, Sept. 15, at Mary Mother of Peace Catholic Church, at the intersection of Rt. 24 and Mt. Joy Rd., Millsboro. Interment will follow at the Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Millsboro. Flowers are accepted or since John was an animal lover, donations to your animal society of choice.