Lionel Drew Maull, former state trooper
Lionel Drew Maull, “Lonnie,” as he was lovingly known by family and friends, peacefully departed this life Tuesday, Oct. 11, 2022, at Delaware Hospice Center in Milford, after suffering a stroke May 7, 2022.
Lonnie was born Oct. 4, 1963, to the late Joseph E. Maull Sr. and Edith Maull of Lewes. Lonnie grew up in Lewes and graduated from Cape Henlopen High School in 1982, where he played and earned varsity letters in basketball and football. Lonnie proudly represented his school as a participant in the Blue and Gold Game during his senior year. He was given the Cape Coaches Award as Outstanding Male Senior Athlete (1981-82).
Upon graduation, Lonnie went to the University of New Haven, where he excelled in football and track while earning varsity letters in each sport. One of his proudest accomplishments was being inducted into the University of New Haven Athletic Hall of Fame in 1997 for his athletic prowess in track and field as a sprinter. He captured three Eastern Intercollegiate Sprint Championships, was a member of two record-setting relay championship teams, established a Connecticut Intercollegiate 100-meter record, and received All-New England Honors in each of his final three years with the Chargers program. He also participated in the 1986 NCAA Indoor Track and Field Championships. Lonnie also played football during his four-year stay at UNH earning the New Haven Gridiron Club’s Most Outstanding Player Award as a defensive back (1983-86). Lonnie was drafted by the Montreal Alouettes and played for a short time with Canadian Football League.
Upon graduation from UNH, Lonnie returned home to Delaware to enter the Delaware State Police Academy. After graduation from the academy, Lonnie was assigned to Troop 7 in Lewes. He spent several years enforcing the laws of the road, but he truly enjoyed his role in community policing. He was humbled to receive an award in 1996 from one of the communities he served with the words “You have made a difference in Ellendale by the work you have done,” inscribed on it. While serving during his years on the state police force, Lonnie earned the rank of Cpl. 2nd Class, and received the following awards: Delaware State Police Superintendent’s Life-Saving Award (1990), Delaware State Police Exceptional Performance Award (1996), and Delaware State Police Superintendent’s Citation (1998). Lonnie left the Delaware State Police force and moved to North Carolina. He would return home to Delaware often to visit family and friends and he always made sure that he attended St. George’s A.M.E. Church for Sunday morning worship. Lonnie returned home to Delaware in 2015, where he lived until his passing. Lonnie enjoyed watching his favorite football team the Carolina Panthers, going to the horse races, attending family gatherings and singing his favorite song “I Believe I Can Fly.” He engrained his personal mantra “Through thick and then, til the end” into his children and they will carry it with them forever.
He was preceded in death by his parents Joseph and Edith; his oldest brother Joseph Maull Jr.; and his niece and nephew Tykesha and Jerome Maull.
Lonnie leaves cherished memories with his three daughters, Kelonda Maull of New Haven, Conn., KaLonna Maull of Silver Spring, Md., and Kaelyn Maull of Millsboro; one son, Kyle Maull of Washington, D.C.; five brothers, Julius (Brenda) of Lewes, Jerry (Patricia) of Milton, Wallace Jay (Donya) of Felton, Gilbert of Milford, and Anthony (Josephine) of Milton; three sisters, Jacqueline (OD) Mcgee of Milford, Janet (Gavin) Martin of Lewes, and his twin sister Lavinia “Sissy” Howard of Magnolia; and a host of nephews, nieces, and friends.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 1 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 22, at St. George AME Church, 317 Park Ave., Lewes. A viewing will be held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. with the formal homegoing service to follow. Interment will be in Peoples Memorial Park, Rehoboth.
Condolence messages may be left at evanwsmithfuneralservices.com.
