10/27/09

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Betty May Sharp, retired businesswoman
Betty May Sharp, 91, formerly of Milford, passed away Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2009, in her home.
Mrs. Sharp was born May 1, 1918, in Milford, daughter of the late Claude and Clara (Denny) Bennett. Betty assisted her husband at the Silver Hill Dairy, the business they owned in Milford for many years, taking over full responsibility of the business operations while he was serving his tour of duty during World War II. She was later employed as an elementary school teacher’s aide with the Milford School District for 20 years, retiring in 1983.
She was a member of Avenue United Methodist Church in Milford. In addition to her parents, Mrs. Sharp was preceded in death by her husband, Laurence G. Sharp in 1999; an infant brother; and her sister, Dorothy. She is survived by three sons and two daughters-in-law, Laurence G. Jr. and Brenda Sharp of Lewes, Bruce B. and Elaine Sharp of Las Vegas, Nev., and Gregg H. Sharp of Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.; a daughter and son-in-law, Gail Lynn and Charles Felin of Rehoboth Beach; and a grandson, Brewe Sharp, the son of Bruce and Elaine.
Services and burial will be private. The family has requested contributions in Betty’s memory be made to Delaware Hospice, 100 Patriots Way, Milford, DE 19963. Arrangements handled by Rogers Funeral Home, Milford.

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Robert ‘Bob’ Mitchell, retired UPS driver
Robert N. “Bob” Mitchell, 70, died Friday, Oct. 23, 2009, in his home.
Bob was born Oct. 10, 1939, in Sparrow Point, Md., to the late James E. and Alice E. Covington Mitchell. Mr. Mitchell served in the U.S. Navy and was stationed on the U.S.S. Forrestal. He drove for UPS in Harrington for over 30 years, retiring in 1995. Mr. Mitchell attended Hickory Ridge Community Church in Greenwood. His interests were gardening, golfing, fishing, watching and feeding the birds, and riding his four-wheeler. He was a devoted family man that loved to spend time with his children and grandchildren.
Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by one sister, Katherine Schmid; and two brothers, James E. and Paul Mitchell. He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Sandra Gillespie Mitchell; three children and their spouses, Walter and Sandra Mitchell of Greenwood, Traci and Albert Zarro of Lewes, and Bob and Michelle Mitchell of Greenwood; seven grandchildren, David and Devin Arthurs, and Jonathan, Heartli, Emily, Abigail and Andrew Mitchell; one brother and his wife, William and Karen Mitchell of Greenwood; and extended family.
Memorial services will be held at 7 p.m., Friday, Oct. 30, at the Hickory Ridge Community Church, 12237 Sussex Hwy., Greenwood. Interment will be private. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Ambulance Squad, Greenwood Vol. Fire Co., P.O. Box 1, Greenwood, DE 19950. Arrangements by Fleischauer Funeral Home, Greenwood.

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Rose M. Gerace, Sussex homemaker
Rose M. Gerace, 69, passed away Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2009, in her home.
She is survived by her husband, John A. Gerace; a son, Andrew Skillman; three daughters, Dawn Maahs, Christine Brock and Amy Phillips; brother and sister-in-law, Andrew and Marie Gerace; her close friend, Lynne; six grandchildren; and a great-grandchild.
Services were held at the Millsboro Wesleyan Church, Millsboro. Interment was private.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks for contributions to the American Cancer Society, 1138 Parsons Road, Salisbury, MD 21801. Arrangements by Watson Funeral Home, Millsboro.

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Edward Patrick Harney, electrical engineer
Edward Patrick Harney, 75, of Lewes, passed away peacefully at his residence Thursday, Oct. 22, 2009.
He was born Oct. 24, 1933, in Queens, N.Y. Mr. Harney graduated from Hofstra University with a master’s in electrical engineering. He enjoyed a long career with the Long Island Lighting Company. Over the years, he coached local Long Island football and lacrosse club teams. He was a Civil War buff who participated in many re-enactments over the years. He loved spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife Arline (Duffy) Harney in 2002. He is survived by three daughters, Darlene Harney Stone and her husband Andy of Denver, Colo., Debra Butler and her husband Paul of McLean, Va., and Dorothy Harney of Harrisburg, Pa.; a son, Edward Patrick Harney Jr. and his wife Kimberly of Midlothian, Va.; six grandchildren; a brother, John Harney of Milan, Pa.; and his partner, Jane Russo of Lewes.
A Catholic prayer service was held at Parsell Funeral Homes & Crematorium, Atkins-Lodge Chapel, 16961 Kings Highway, Lewes. A Memorial Mass and interment will be held at a later date in New York. 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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Alvin ‘Butch’ Cline Jr., retired pipefitter
Alvin James “Butch” Cline Jr., 65, died Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2009, at his home.
Butch grew up in the Elsmere area. He attended Oak Grove Elementary and Junior High School. He was a pitcher on the Little League team which his father coached for several years. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army in the late ‘60s and served as an officer of the military police. Butch worked as a pipefitter for Local 80 until his retirement a few years ago. He very much enjoyed fishing and relaxing in Lewes. Much of his retired time also was spent with his many good friends and second family at Mulrooney’s Tavern near Elsmere. He was a member of the Defiance Club of Wilmington.
Butch is survived by a son, Adam Paul Cline of Ft. Collins, Colo.; mother, Dorothy Cline of Elsmere; sisters, Nancy Buchanan of Minquadale and Linda Sharp of Millsboro; brother, John Cline of Florida; ex-wife, Shirley Cline of Wilmington; and many nieces, nephews and other loving family members.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend the service at Delaware Veterans Memorial Chapel, 2465 Chesapeake City Road, Bear at 1 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 27. Friends may call at the Krienen-Griffith Funeral Home, 1400 Kirkwood Highway, Elsmere, Tuesday morning from 11 a.m. to noon. Interment will be in the adjoining cemetery.

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Sue Ann Meadows, homemaker
Sue Ann Meadows, 54, of Ocean City, Md., died Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2009, at Atlantic General Hospital, Berlin, Md.
Sue Ann was a homemaker.
She is survived by her husband, James W. Meadows; a stepdaughter, Denise Niblett of Delmar; two brothers, Bill Martin and Bob Martin, both of Rehoboth Beach; a sister, Mary Lee Martin of Rehoboth Beach; three grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m., Thursday, Oct. 29, at Hastings Funeral Home, Selbyville.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to First State Marine Corps Detachment, Toys for Tots, PO Box 434, Ocean View DE 19970-0434.

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John R. Riggs, retired editor
John R. Riggs, 86, of Lewes, died Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2009, at Beebe Medical Center in Lewes. Born in Cape Girardeau, Mo., May 31, 1923, he was the son of the late Jeptha and Stella (Shanks) Riggs.
John relocated to Lewes 25 years ago from the Long Island, N.Y. area after retiring as the editor of Popular Electronics magazine in Manhattan. In Lewes, he was an avid collector of antiques, a member of St. Peter’s Episcopal Church of Lewes and a member of their AA chapter. John was active in local theatre, including the Possum Point Players and Baystar Dinner Theatre. He was a world traveler, especially in Europe, and spent his retirement as a driver for Meals on Wheels. He was a volunteer driver for AIDS patients, getting them to their medical and hospital appointments. He and his partner, Gilbert Shisler, did some of the original fundraising for AIDS in the Rehoboth area.
In addition to his parents, John was preceded in death by his partner of 20 years, Robert Arada and his beloved black lab, Maggie; his sister Margaret; and brother Robert.
John is survived by his current partner, Gilbert Shisler of Lewes; one sister, Ruth Alice Finnegan and husband Ted of Lexington, Mass.; three nieces, Sheila MacCrelish and husband Bruce of Belmont, Mass., Ellen Hoffman and husband Roger of Ontario, Canada, and Betty Borghezani and husband Roger of Lexington; Ma.; one nephew, Richard Riggs of Hayward, Calif.; and dear friends, George and Joan Watson of Belmar, N.J.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m., Tuesday, Oct. 27, St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, Second and Market streets, Lewes with the Rev. Jeffrey Ross and the Rev. Steven Benedict officiating followed by interment in St. Peter’s Cemetery, Pilottown Road, Lewes. Arrangements are being handled by Parsell Funeral Homes & Crematorium, Lewes.

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Karen D. Sterling, accounting clerk
Karen D. Sterling, 61, of Millsboro passed away Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2009, at Beebe Medical Center in Lewes. On June 2, 1948, Karen Douglass Sterling raced into the world preparing to share a life with her parents, the late Dorothy Le’amous and Fred Sterling of Detroit, Mich. Karen shared many fun-filled days with her siblings, Cheryle, Scott and the late Dwain Sterling.
Early on Karen demonstrated many artistic interests and abilities which included tap dancing and ballet. She and Cheryle became majorettes and twirled batons with ease. She loved Christmas and would celebrate with friends and family members while playing her clarinet or piano, and singing songs.
Upon graduation from Pershing High School in 1966, Karen followed her father’s footsteps becoming a member of the U. S. Army, where she continued her education and became an accounting clerk. The transfer to Fort Hamilton in New Jersey led Karen into a vibrant style of life which grew into a circle of lifelong friendships and a lifestyle reflective of her many interests and skills.
In Feb. 1990, a chance meeting in New York led to a 20-year companionship with Karen Garrett in Washington, D.C. Sterling began a fulfilling career with an international law firm, Wilkie, Fahr and Gallagher Inc., as a telephone operator. She continued to gather longevity in friendships as usual. At 23 years old she became a single parent, adopting Kychelle, later followed by Kyana, transporting her here from South Korea.
In Washington, D.C., through involvement in a mentorship program, the Karens ultimately became devoted godparents of Benrod and Elnora Lockamy, Dana and daughter then 16 months old, Dayneisha Ebiasah, and the late Joshua Mack. In March 2004, the Karens journeyed to Ethiopia, Africa to return with their last child, Sena Karen, then 8 years old.
Karen was a devoted, loving and giving mother, friend, sister and child advocate. Left to memorialize her wondrous life are companion Karen Garrett; daughters Kychelle and Sena Sterling; granddaughter Dayneisha Ebiasah; godchildren Benrod and Elnora Lockamy; sisters Cheryle Sterling, Joyce Ramsey and Doris Anderson; brother Scott Sterling; nephews Mark, Jamal, Rashaad and Malcom Sterling; niece Sharon Anderson; and a host of devoted friends and associates that loved her much.
Services will be 10 a.m., Tuesday, Oct. 27, at the Millsboro Wesleyan Church, 255 Wilson Highway, Millsboro, where friends may call at 9 a.m.
The Rev. Claudia Waters will officiate the service. Interment with honors will follow at the Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Patriots Way, Millsboro.
In lieu of flowers the family requests contributions to First Home Care, 1012 14th St. NW, Ste. 807, Washington, DC 20005 in memory of Karen to help children.
Arrangements by Watson Funeral Home, Millsboro.

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James ‘Jake’ Dolan, Marine Corps veteran
James “Jake” Patrick Dolan, 66, of Lewes, passed away Thursday, Oct. 22, 2009, at Beebe Medical Center in Lewes. He was born May 7, 1943, in Metheun, Mass., son of the late Charles A. and Lillian T. (Dobrinski) Dolan, and raised in Salem, N.H.
After high school, Jake joined the Marines and served in Cuba during the Bay of Pigs as well as tours in the Mediterranean countries and Europe.
After the Marine Corps, he married Diana McCully and settled in Mayo, Md., where he joined Plumbers Local 5 in Washington, D.C. He enjoyed a lengthy career in plumbing as well as owning his own business.
He was one of the founding members of the Mayo Athletic Association beginning in 1970. He also was a member of the Deale, Md. Elks, transferring to the Cape Henlopen Elks when he moved to Delaware in 2001.
He enjoyed many years of fishing on the Chesapeake Bay aboard his bay-built boat named “Chessie.”
He is survived by his devoted wife of almost 45 years, Diana V. Dolan; his two beloved children, Jennifer Lynn Dolan-Gonzalez and her husband Victor, and James Patrick Dolan Jr.; five precious grandchildren, Elizabeth, Kevin, Delaney, Griffin and Madeline; a brother, Charles Dolan Jr. of Salem; and a sister, Eleanor Borrum and her husband John of Gouverneur, N.Y. He will be missed by his many friends and extended family.
A celebration of life is planned for a later date. Arrangements are being handled by Parsell Funeral Homes & Crematorium, Lewes.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions be made to the Beebe Medical Center Foundation, 902 Savannah Road, Lewes, DE 19958.

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Roy E. Lowery, AP Croll retiree
Roy Eugene Lowery, 65, of Seaford, died Sunday, Oct. 18, 2009, at his home under Heartland Hospice Care after a long battle with lung cancer.
Born May 26, 1944, in Pennsylvania, he was the son of the late John Henry Lowery and Rita Martha (Jordon) Lowery Sipple.
Mr. Lowery retired from AP Croll in Georgetown and was an avid sports fan who loved the Pittsburgh Steelers, Pittsburgh Pirates and Iowa Hawkeyes. He served in the U.S. Navy.
He was a chef by training and loved to cook and bake for his wife, children and grandchildren.
In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by one sister, Shirley Ann Dively. Surviving are his wife, Nancy; children, Kimberly and Steven Aaron of Cambridge, Md., Kelly and Mike Thomas of Bridgeville and Kendra and Greg Decker of Alexandria, Va,. and Kristopher Lowery of Seaford; brother and sister-in-law, Mark and Sandi Lowery of Indianola, Ind.; brother-in-law, Robert Dively of Florida; sister-in-law, Susan Fisher of Lewes; three grandchildren, Kristen Lowery, Myron Thomas and Andrea Thomas; and many nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday, Oct. 31, at Parsell Funeral Homes & Crematorium, Dodd-Carey Chapel, 307 N. Bedford St., Georgetown, with Pastors Delmer Willey of Brookview United Methodist Church and Rod Dufour of First Baptist Church officiating. Interment will be at Dagsboro Redmens Memorial Cemetery, Dagsboro.
The family will receive friends at the funeral home Saturday beginning at 10 a.m.
In lieu of flowers, the family is asking for donations to be directed to Brookview United Methodist Church Memorial Fund, c/o Clark Simms, 5474 Indiantown Road, Rhodesdale, MD 21659.

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Marjorie E. Mason, All Saints’ member
Marjorie E. Mason of Rehoboth Beach passed away Thursday, Oct. 22, 2009, at the Delaware Hospice Center, Milford.
A member of All Saints’ Episcopal Church of Rehoboth Beach, she was preceded in death by her husband Louis Mason, a former aerospace engineer and decorated Army veteran.
Mrs. Mason is survived by her son, Robert and his wife Luann of Middletown, and daughter, Diane Mitchell and her husband, Col. Charles Mitchell (Ret.) of Fairfax Station, Va. Mrs. Mason had five grandchildren, Robert, Leah, Ryan, Courtney and Kelly; and two great-grandchildren, Hunter and Ava.
A private family service and burial will be held Wednesday, Oct. 28.
In lieu of flowers the family suggests donations be made to Delaware Veterans Association. Services handled by Short Funeral Services, Milton.

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Cynthia G. Morrell, loved Girl Scouting
Cynthia G. Morrell, 68, of Millsboro, passed away Sunday, Oct. 25, 2009, at home surrounded by her loving family.
She was born in Mount Holly, N. J., daughter of the late Edward and Dorothy (Reynolds) Morrell.
She was very grateful for the friendships she made through the Girl Scouts.
Cynthia is survived by her loving sisters and their families.
Services and burial will be private.