10/20/09

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George E. Chambers Jr., former river pilot
George E. Chambers, Jr. 87, of Lewes, passed away peacefully Thursday, Oct. 15, 2009, surrounded by his family at Renaissance Healthcare in Millsboro. He was born July 21, 1922, in Lewes, son of the late George E. Chambers Sr. and Helen Hocker Chambers. Mr. Chambers was a river pilot for 40 years for the Bay and River Delaware, retiring in 1985. He was a lifetime resident of Lewes, a fourth-generation Delawarean and member of the Sons of the American Revolution and had served with the United States Coast Guard.
Affectionately known as Mr. St. Peter, he was devoted to his church, St. Peter’s Episcopal in Lewes, where he had served as junior and senior warden and as a member of the finance committee. His father was one of the founders of the Lewes Yacht Club where he spent his youth sailing and later became commodore. He and his wife could often be found sailing the Delaware and Chesapeake bays in their sailboat called Fat Cat.
In his spare time he loved to do high-quality work with wood and was known to be able to fix anything. Mr. Chambers, sporting one of his classic bow ties, will be missed greatly by his family and his community.
In addition to his parents he was predeceased by his wife, Jane Barnard Chambers in June 2002; his son, John C. Chambers in December 2000; and his sister, Adele Barnard.
He is survived by sons, George E. Chambers III of Dover, and Robert C. Chambers and wife Toi of Millsboro; his daughter, Margaret C. Heer and husband Raymond of Gambrills, Md.; eight grandchildren, Lisa Chambers Thomson, Katie, Beau, Carter and Tyler Chambers, Raymond Heer IV, Michael and Andrew Heer and four great-grandchildren.
Memorial services with the Rev. Jeffrey Ross and the Rev. Peter Greenfield officiating will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday, Oct. 24, at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, Second Street, Lewes, where friends may call after 10 a.m. Burial will be private at Bethel Methodist Cemetery, Lewes.
Memorials may be made to Alzheimer’s Association, 109 N. Bedford St., Georgetown, DE 19947; or to Compassionate Care Hospice of the Delmarva Peninsula, 31038 Country Garden Blvd., Dagsboro, DE 19939.

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Robert E. Grodzicki, Vietnam War veteran
Robert E. Grodzicki, 68, of Wilmington and Rehoboth Beach, passed away Wednesday, Oct. 14, 2009, in Christiana Hospital. Bob operated the family grocery store for over 32 years. He was an Army veteran who served in the Vietnam War.
He is survived by his wife of 43 years, Alexandra Gorski Grodzicki; a son, Robert Grodzicki Jr. of Rehoboth Beach; daughters, Jennifer Powell of Reading, Pa., and Jessica Granger of Wilmington; seven grandchildren, Jarrett, Jessy Jeane, Jocelyn, Sierra, Connor, Alexander and Sophie, and a sister, Marianne Grodzicki.
There will be no service, but the family will gather and friends may call from 7 to 9 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 20, at the John F. Yasik Funeral Home, 607 S. Harrison St., Wilmington, to celebrate his life. There also will be a gathering to celebrate his life Thursday, Oct. 22, in Rehoboth Beach.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions to Gift of Life, 401 N. Third St., Philadelphia, PA 19123. Arrangements by John F. Yasik Funeral Home.

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Richard E. Kling, World War II veteran
Richard E. Kling, 87, formerly of Lebanon, Pa., died Friday, Oct. 16, 2009, in the Lebanon VA Medical Center. He was the husband of Beatrice A. Donten Kling, whom he was married to for 66 years. He was born July 22, 1922, in Lebanon, a son of the late Ernest and Anna Stickler Kling. Richard was a retired 34-year employee of the Lebanon VA Medical Center and served in the U.S. Army during World War II. He was preceded in death by a brother, Clifford Kling; and a sister, Doris White. Surviving in addition to his wife are children, Ernest, husband of Carolyn Kling, Fla.; and Renee, wife of Kenneth Pedersen, Newmanstown, Pa.; five grandchildren; and 12 great-grandchildren. Clauser Funeral Home Inc. of Schaefferstown, Pa., is handling the arrangements.

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Anthony Leonard Lord, Lewes resident
Anthony Leonard “Tony” Lord, 81, of Lewes, and Port Orange, Fla., passed away peacefully Tuesday, Oct. 13, 2009. Tony is survived by his wife, Audrey R. Baker Lord; four children, Michael, Kevin, Nole and Estella Lord; one brother; and several grandchildren. Funeral services will be 2 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 20, at Daniels & Hutchison Funeral Home LLC, 212 N. Broad St., Middletown, where family and friends may visit one hour prior to services. Interment will follow in Townsend Cemetery.

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Elmer W. F. Russell, retired machinist
Elmer William Frederick Russell, 92, of Laurel, passed away Wednesday, Oct. 14, in Nanticoke Memorial Hospital, Seaford. He was born Feb. 9, 1917, in Baltimore, Md., son of the late Elmer Hensel Russell and Emily Cheavoux Russell. Mr. Russell retired in 1982 after a lifelong career as a machinist, beginning with the former National Plastics of Odenton, Md., and ending with Westinghouse in Annapolis, Md. He was a member of the Christ Lutheran Church, Seaford, where he had served as an usher for many years. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Jean Taylor Russell, who passed away in April 2007; and two sons, Elmer H. Russell and Barry W. Russell. He is survived by two daughters, Yvonne Price and husband David of Laurel, and Mary Malmberg and husband Norwin of Annapolis; two daughters-in-law, Connie Russell of Pasadena, Md., wife of son Elmer, and Estelle Russell of Seaford, wife of son Barry; five sons, John Russell and wife Doris of Lewes, Walter Boyd Russell and wife Carol of Parkville, Md., Joseph Russell and wife Annie of Dallas, Texas, Robert Russell and wife Donna of Laurel, and Thomas Russell and wife Brenda of Dallas; 21 grandchildren; and 35 great-grandchildren. Funeral services were held Sunday, Oct. 18, at Parsell Funeral Homes & Crematorium, Bridgeville, with Pastor Andrew Watkins officiating. Burial was private. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to the American Diabetes Association, 100 West 10th St., Suite 1002, Wilmington, DE 19801; or to the Delaware Association for the Blind, 800 West St., Wilmington, DE 19801.

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Celeste E. Franks, former secretary
Celeste Epperson Franks, 89, of Dover, passed away peacefully Sunday, Oct. 11, in Country Rest Home, Greenwood. Celeste was born Dec. 24, 1919, in Port Arthur, Texas. She was the daughter of L.D. Epperson and Vinetta Gordy Epperson. Celeste was brought up in Kemah, Texas, and was a graduate of Dickinson High School. She worked as a secretary for several years in Texas and then in Delaware, when her husband was assigned to Dover Air Force Base in 1954. Celeste took pleasure in volunteering at the base hospital and loved playing tennis, golf and bridge. Following her husband’s retirement from the military they enjoyed traveling in the United States and abroad. After moving back to Texas to care for her mother, Celeste returned to Dover in 1996. She then became a member of the Wyoming Methodist Church, Wyoming. Celeste’s beloved husband, Cleveland L. “Lin” Franks, a retired U.S. Air Force major, passed away in 1986. She also was preceded in death by her sisters, Yvonne Johnson and Vinetta Faulkner. Celeste is survived by her son, Orville D. Basinski and his wife Joy of Rehoboth Beach; and several nieces and nephews. The family wishes to express their sincere thanks to the Country Rest Home for their kindness and devotion to Celeste. Services were held Monday, Oct. 19, with interment in Forest Park East Cemetery, Webster, Texas. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions be made to Compassionate Care Hospice Foundation, 31038 Country Garden Blvd., Suite D2, Country Gardens, Dagsboro. Local arrangements are by Pippin Funeral Home, Wyoming.

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Raymond S. Tompkins, World War II veteran
Raymond S. Tompkins Jr., 84, of Lewes, died Thursday, Oct. 15, 2009, at Cadbury at Lewes.
Mr. Tompkins retired from Verizon after 35 years, as a division commercial manager for the state of Maryland.
He served in the U.S. Navy in the South Pacific on LST 986 for three years during World War II. He returned to Baltimore and completed his BA in political science at Johns Hopkins University. He was an avid tennis player.
He is survived by his wife Mary Dexter Tompkins (Binky); sons Chip, Dex and John; daughters-in-law Betsy, Scotty and Sara; sister, Emily Tompkins Taliaferro; eight grandchildren; and one great-grandson.
A memorial service with military honors was held Monday, Oct. 19, at All Saints’ Episcopal Church, Rehoboth Beach, with the Rev. Max Wolfe, the Rev. Jeffery Ross and the Rev. Christopher Moore officiating.
A memorial service and entombment will be held at 10:30 a.m., Monday, Oct. 26, at the Church of the Redeemer, 5603 E. Charles St., Baltimore, Md., with Sandra Etemad officiating.
Arrangements are being handled by Parsell Funeral Enterprises Inc., 16961 Kings Highway, Lewes.

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Rose M. Mumford, active in community
Rose M. Mumford, 76, of Millsboro, passed away peacefully at her home surrounded by her loving family Wednesday, Oct. 14, 2009.
She was born in Dagsboro, the daughter of the late Joseph and Carrie Dukes Vickers.
Rose was a member of Long Neck United Methodist Church, American Legion Post 28 of Oak Orchard, Cape Henlopen Elks Lodge 2540, Loyal Order of Moose and AMVETS Post 2.
She enjoyed sewing, cooking, dancing, traveling, making crafts, and spending time with her family and many beloved friends.
Rose is survived by her children, Richard L. Mumford and his wife Bernadette of Warwick, Md., Terri L. Weaver of Smyrna, Robert J. Mumford and his wife Cindy of Greenwood, Karen S. Shahadi and her husband John of Oxford, Pa., Glenn R. Mumford of Millsboro; a brother, Ronald J. Vickers of Millsboro; a sister, Delores Evans of Punta Gorda, Fla.; 12 grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
A memorial service will be held at 12:30 p.m., Friday, Oct. 23, at the Cape Henlopen Elks Lodge 2540, 18544 Beaver Dam Road, Lewes.
In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorial contributions in Rose’s memory to Heartland Hospice Memorial Fund, 17577 Nassau Commons Blvd., Suite 193, Lewes, DE 19958.

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James B. Hayman, Georgetown native
James Boston Hayman, 97, a lifelong resident of Georgetown, passed away Wednesday, Oct. 14, 2009, at Beebe Medical Center in Lewes.
He was born June 18, 1912, in Georgetown, son of the late Harry H. Hayman and Mary Joda Wells Hayman Short. Mr. Hayman lived a long and full life devoted to his family and friends. He originally worked for A&P in Rehoboth Beach, in the produce department, and he was a meter reader for the power company. He also owned and operated Hayman’s Seafood Market in Georgetown. He eventually settled in the field of car sales, first working for Hollowell Chevrolet in Federalsburg, Md., and then with Burton Chevrolet in Georgetown. He was a life member of the Georgetown Fire Company, a lifetime member of Grace United Methodist Church, Georgetown, and he was a 32nd degree Mason with the Franklin Lodge. He loved to fish and play golf. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife Velma Elizabeth Hollowell Hayman in 1986.
He is survived by two daughters, Joda Elizabeth Hitchens and her husband Bud of Lewes, with whom he lived, and Rita Callahan and her husband Tom of Osprey, Fla.; and three grandchildren, Bo Hitchens, Beth Hitchens and Catie Callahan.
Funeral services were held Monday, Oct. 19, at Parsell Funeral Homes & Crematorium, Dodd-Carey Chapel, Georgetown, with interment in Union Cemetery, Georgetown.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions be made to Just Us Animal Rescue, c/o Patricia Riordan, 110 Cullen St., Dewey Beach, DE 19971.

William H.Ockels Sr., World War II veteran
William Howard Ockels Sr., 89, of Seaford, died Tuesday, Oct. 13, 2009, in Nanticoke Memorial Hospital, Seaford. Born in Seaford, the son of the late Nellie Outten and Herman Ockels Sr., he was a farmer. He was a World War II Army veteran, a former member of the Laurel Grange, and a member of Mt. Zion United Methodist Church, where he served as treasurer for 29 years. He was a chicken farmer who also loved driving tractors putting in and harvesting field crops. He enjoyed family time with his kids, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. In addition to his parents, he was also preceded in death by his wife, Jean E. Outten Ockels; a brother, Ed Ockels; a sister, Florence Thomas; and a granddaughter, Julie Ockels. Survivors include three sons, William H. Ockels Jr. of Seaford, Donald L. Ockels of Sedgwick, Maine, and James S. Ockels of Seaford; three daughters, Debbie Massey, Joyce Ockels and Grace Stakiel, all of Seaford; two brothers, Rueben Ockels of Milton, and Herman Ockels Jr. of Seaford; a sister, Bernice Whaley of Seaford; eight grandchildren, Faye Allen, Brian Massey, Scott Massey, Lori Stakiel, Matt Ockels, Marie Massey, Kate Stakiel and Ben Mobray; and several great-grandchildren. Services were held Sunday, Oct. 18, at Watson-Yates Funeral Home, Seaford, with the Rev. Roland E. Tice officiating and burial in Blades Cemetery, Blades.

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Vivian Barry’s life to be celebrated Oct. 24
Bob Barry invites friends of his wife Vivian, who passed away Friday, Sept. 25, 2009, to join him in a celebration of her extraordinary life from 4 to 7 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 24, at The Lighthouse Cove in Ruddertowne, Dewey Beach. Attendance by all who knew Vivian and shared her values will be welcomed, and people close to Vivian will be given an opportunity to speak. Hors d’oeuvres, wine and beverages will be provided, and a cash bar will be open with proceeds to be donated to the Historic Lewes Cat Society.
More information is available by calling Bob Barry at 645-1575 or Georgia Leonhart at 344-5585.