Sgt. Raymond Mann Jr., local entrepreneur

Sgt. Raymond Clovis Mann Jr. US Army Retired, 65, of Georgetown, passed away Saturday, June 7, 2014, at his home. He was born in Huntington, W. Va., Feb. 12, 1949, son of the late Raymond C. Sr. and Emma Louise (Sowards) Mann.

Sgt. Mann was a Vietnam veteran who proudly served in the U.S. Army for 21 years, retiring in 1992. During his service, he earned a Purple Heart and Combat Infantryman Badge. Following his retirement, Sgt. Mann worked at Black & Decker in Easton, Md. Later he worked at Rainbow Cleaners in Dover for 13 years before embarking on an entrepreneurship path. He opened his own business which became a success, selling Rainbow Cleaners in Milford. He later worked at Resorts Investigation & Patrol in Ocean View.

During his salesman career, Sgt. Mann enjoyed meeting new people and establishing lifelong friendships. He was an avid fisherman and an exceptional cook, who enjoyed spending time with his family and going camping. He was also a member of Masonic Temple Lodge  9 in Milford.

Sgt. Mann is survived by his loving wife of 13 years, Joyce (Downes Palmatary) Mann; five daughters: Yvonne Maruschak of Phillipsburg, Pa., Carla Skaggs of Kitts Hills, Ohio, Theresa Nicholson of Stanton Island, N.Y., Melissa Fletcher of Rome, N.Y. and Jessica Mann of Holland Patent, N.Y.; 10 grandchildren; and his stepdaughter, Amy English of Annapolis, Md.

Funeral Services will be held Friday, June 13, at 1 p.m., at Parsell Funeral Homes & Crematorium, Dodd-Carey Chapel, 307 N. Bedford St., Georgetown, where friends may call Thursday, June 12, from 7 to 9 p.m. Interment will follow funeral services at 2 p.m., Friday at Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Millsboro.

Memorial contributions may be made in Sgt. Mann's memory to Joshua House Ministries, 38140 Millsboro Hwy, Millsboro, DE 19966.