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Julian M. Smith,
local farmer
Julian “Junie” M. Smith, 81, of Broadkill Road, Milton, passed away Friday, July 20, 2007, at his home. Mr. Smith was born in Milton, the son of the late James W. and Leila Bryan Smith.
He was a well-known area farmer. Mr. Smith was a former and honorary member of Milton Volunteer Fire Co. and former member of Endeavor Lodge No. 17 A.F. & A.M. He owned and operated Smith Farms and Smith Family Camp Ground in Milton.
In addition to his parents, Mr. Smith was preceded in death by his wife, Jeanette Mitchell Smith in 1995, and a baby daughter. He is survived by one son, William Henry Smith and his companion Pat Huffman of Milton; three grandchildren, Tracy McLamb and her husband Donald of Bear, Jennifer McKean and her husband Michael of Rehoboth Beach and Katie Smith and friend Scott Shockley of Milton; and three great-grandchildren, Hannah, Kelsie and Melanie.
Funeral services will be held Tuesday, July 24, at 1 p.m. in the chapel of Short Funeral Services, 416 Federal St., Milton, where friends may call one hour prior. Interment will be in Milton Odd Fellows cemetery . Contributions may be made to Delaware Hospice, 20167 Office Circle, Georgetown, DE 19947 or Milton Fire Department, Station 85, 116 Front St., Milton, DE 19968.
Rita V. Morelli Damato,
Philadelphia native
Rita V. Morelli Damato, 82, of Rehoboth Beach, died Tuesday, July 10, 2007, at Brandywine Assisted Living in Rehoboth Beach. Mrs. Damato was born in Philadelphia, Pa., daughter of the late John Morelli and the late Concetta Franciani Morelli.
She is survived by her daughter, Concetta Damato Genstein and husband Stanley of Rehoboth Beach; two sons, Joseph Damato of Philadelphia and Anthony Damato and his wife Terry of Absecon, N.J; four grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
Mrs. Damato was predeceased by her husband, Joseph Damato, in July 2005.
Services and interment will be private. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions may be made to Compassionate Care Hospice, 31038 Country Garden Blvd., Dagsboro, DE 19939.
Arrangements by Parsell Funeral Homes & Crematorium, Atkins-Lodge Chapel, Lewes.
Linda J. Zacovic,
retired secretary
Linda J. Zacovic, 66, of Dover, died Thursday, July 19, 2007, in her home surrounded by her loving family.
She was born on Sept. 24, 1940, in Uniontown, Pa.
Linda had worked as a secretary in the Capital School District office until 2002 when illness forced her retirement. She was a member of the Elks Lodge 19 and a member of the Wyoming United Methodist Church. Linda loved landscaping, traveling and new adventures.
She was preceded in death by her father, James Zacovic.
Linda is survived by her mother, Mildred Zacovic of Chesapeake City, Md.; former husband, Richard Martin of Lewes; a son, Richard Martin of Milton; a daughter, Deborah Guelette and her husband Richard of Hartly; a sister, Joyce Peters and her husband Donald of Loudon, Tenn.; grandchildren, Jonathan McGuire of Felton, Christopher Martin of Dover, Sarah Martin of Dover and Taylor Guelette of Hartly; a great-grandson, Jin McGuire of Felton; and longtime friend, Ronald Melville of Hartly.
Services were held Monday, July 23, in Wyoming.
Instead of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions to the Wyoming United Methodist Church Building Fund, 109 Broad St., Wyoming, DE 19934.
William Melvin Berry,
retired Marine
William Melvin Berry, 54, of Dover, passed away suddenly Tuesday, July 17, 2007, in Bayhealth-Kent General Hospital.
Mr. Berry was born Nov. 12, 1953, in Camden, to Hilda Giddens and the late Marion L. Tolson.
He graduated from Polytech High School, Woodside. Upon graduation, Mr. Berry joined the U.S. Marine Corps in 1974, and also the U.S. Army Reserves. He retired in 2004 with full honors.
He was a hard worker. He took on several jobs. He was employed at Avenue Medical part time and employed full time at the Dover Air Force Base until his death.
Mr. Berry attended several churches, but was very devoted to the Dover Air Force Base Chapel.
He enjoyed spending time with family and friends. He also loved to fish, hunt, ride his motorcycles, travel and cook home-cooked meals.
Mr. Berry was a loving son, brother, father, grandfather, uncle and cousin. He had many good friends and devoted neighbors.
He was preceded in death by his father, Marion Tolson; his stepfather, Thomas Giddens; and a brother, John A. Berry.
He leaves to cherish his memories three sons, Tyrin, Melvin Jr. and Terrace, all of Wilmington; Victoria E. Berry, the mother of his sons, of Wilmington; his mother, Hilda Giddens of Felton; his grandfather, Nolan Tolson Sr. of Magnolia; two granddaughters, Kimia Godeaux and Ziona Cooper, both of Wilmington; two grandsons, Troy C. Baker and Kevin Berry, both of Wilmington; five sisters, Delores Berry, Audrey Smith and Clara Berry, all of Felton, Eunice Piper of Milton, and Connie Driggus of Dover; seven brothers, Ronald Berry, Wayne Berry and Hew Tolson, all of Dover, Terriane Giddens of Felton, Allan Tolson and Llodey Tolson, both of North Carolina, and John Michael Blue of Savannah, Ga.; three sisters-in-law, Ann Berry of Dover, Melissa Giddens of Felton and Akishia Berry of Dover; two brothers-in-law, Kenneth Smith of Dover and Noah Piper of Milton; a special devoted friend, Carolyn Harris of Dover; a loving aunt and uncle, Orville and Ruth Sulder of Wyoming; a host of uncles, aunts, cousins, neighbors and friends; and Antonia M. Stevens and Sarah E. Baker, the grandchildren’s mothers of Wilmington.
The viewing will be from 6 to 8 p.m., Tuesday, July 24, in Bennie Smith Funeral Home, Dover. Services will be 11 a.m., Wednesday, July 25, in Union Baptist Church, Dover. Burial will be in Sharon Hills Memorial Park, Dover.
Martha J. Danish,
John Wanamaker retiree
Martha J. Danish, 87, passed away at her home on Tuesday, July 17, 2007.
Born in Wilmington to Nellie Weaver Horay and Charles Horay, she lived in Wilmington all her life. She last worked for the John Wanamaker store and prior to that for Addressograph-Multigraph Corp. doing layouts for artwork.
Martha was a loving mother and grandmother and will be greatly missed. She had a wonderful sense of humor, was very fond of animals, especially cats, had an inquisitive mind and enjoyed reading and crossword puzzles.
Martha is survived by her daughter, JoAnn R. Deery and her husband Richard of Hockessin; granddaughter, Laura D. Asteris and her husband George of Earleville, Md.; her sister, Anna B. McCready of Wilmington; and two nieces, Ann Hilaman and her husband Richard of Lewes and Rhoda Hebert and her husband Kenneth of Winter Park, Fla.
Memorial services were held at Chandler Funeral Home, Hockessin, with burial private.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Delaware Humane Assoc., 701 A St., Wilmington, DE 19801; or to a charity of choice.
Navada Tingle,
Berlin employee
Navada Loretta Tingle, 58, died Sunday, July 15, 2007, in her Flower Street apartment in Berlin, Md.
Born in Whaleyville, Md., she was the daughter of Clarence Williams Sr. and Ella Mae Williams.
She was employed with the Berlin Nursing and Rehabilitation Center for the past five years.
Mrs. Tingle was formerly employed with Phillips Beach Plaza Hotel in Ocean City, Md., for several years.
She was a member of Spirit of Excellence Ministry of Deliverance Church in Dagsboro.
Mrs. Tingle was preceded in death by her husband, Lester Tingle, in 1979; a daughter; and a brother, Clarence Williams Jr.
She is survived by two children, Leslie Tingle of Berlin and Bryan Banks of Selbyville; one granddaughter, Ma’nyah Banks of Berlin; a devoted friend, Wallace Purnell of Berlin; six sisters and four brothers, Melvin Williams of San Bernadino, Calif., Alice and her husband, Kendall Price, Stanford Williams, both of Berlin, Ernestine and husband, Sam Tindal, Pastor Gloria and her husband, Elder Ronnie Johnson, all of Millsboro, Sally and her husband, Drayton Showell of Newark, Ella Blount, Marcella Williams, John and his wife, Daphne Williams, all of Selbyville and Ronald Hall of Clarksville; and a host of nieces and nephews.
Services were held in Spirit of Excellence Ministry of Deliverance Church, with burial in Curtis United Methodist Church cemetery , Bishopville, Md.
Rebecca Johnson,
Milton homemaker
Rebecca Woods Johnson, 70, of Milton, died on Saturday, July 14, 2007, at Beebe Medical Center, Lewes, after a lengthy illness.
Mrs. Johnson was born on May 29, 1937, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. She resided in Coolspring. Mrs. Johnson was preceded in death by her son, Daniel Johnson Jr.; and stepfather, Willis E. Harmon.
She is survived by six daughters, Wanda Hudson and Darlene Lofland, both of Coolspring, Connie Hawkins of Edgewater, Md., Rose Daisey of Lewes, Dandalyn Wilson of Severn, Md., and Linda Morris of Coolspring; two sons, Kenneth Johnson of Coolspring and James Johnson of Harbeson; one brother, Alfred Jerome Woods Sr. of Coolspring; one aunt, Cordell McLean of California; 21 grandchildren; 25 great-grandchildren; a special niece whom she raised, Stacey Maker; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Funeral services were held at The Apostolic Faith Church of Jesus Christ the Lord Inc., Millsboro, with interment in Henlopen Memorial Park.
Walter E. Kee Sr.
avid sailor
Walter E. Kee Sr., 86, of Lewes, formerly of New Castle, died Sunday, July 22, 2007, his birthday, at his home on Lewes Beach. Mr. Kee was born July 22, 1921 in New Castle, to Mr. and Mrs. Herbert C. Kee. Mr. Kee was also known as “Pick,” a nickname obtained as a boy in New Castle.
His wife of 51 years, Lillian Curtin Kee, preceded him in death on July 2, 2000. In 1949, Mr. Kee adopted his wife’s son, Ronald S. Pancoast, whose father perished in World War II. Ron also preceded Mr. Kee in death in January 2003. Mr. Kee is survived by his three children, W. Edwin Kee Jr. of Lincoln, Susan K. Eisenbrey of Odessa and Dewey Beach, and Deborah K. Maclntire of Lewes. He is also survived by nine grandchildren: Karey K. Reed, Jessica Kee, John R. Eisenbrey III, Lauren Eisenbrey, Ginney Eisenbrey, Lindsay Maclntire, Benjamin Maclntire, Elizabeth Maclntire and John E. Pancoast.
Mr. Kee graduated from William Penn High School in 1939. Growing up in New Castle, he fell in love with the water and sailing. His father bought him his first boat when he was 10 years old, a dinghy for which he lathed out a mast. Mr. Kee’s mother sewed together canvas flour sacks into a sail. Soon he was sailing across the Delaware River to New Jersey. After high school, he served as a deckhand on H. B. duPont’s yacht, Noreaster. With the outbreak of World War II, he went to the Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point, N.Y., graduating in 1943. As an officer, he sailed in many military convoys, including the largest ever, in March 1944, in preparation for the Normandy invasion. After the war, he joined the W. R. Grace Steamship Company, sailing on numerous trips through the Panama Canal to various South American ports. In 1949, he left the sea to marry and began a 29-year career with the DuPont Co. as a supervisor and procurement manager for the kitchens of the Hotel DuPont. He never missed a day’s work to illness during his career. Mr. Kee was a devoted husband and father. He always had time for his children and grandchildren. He also taught scores of kids on Lewes Beach how to sail. He and his wife, “Sug,” were blessed with a wonderful retirement, enjoying their family and the beaches of Marathon, Fla. and Lewes for the rest of their lives.
Memorial services will be held at noon, Friday July 27, at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, Second Street, Lewes. Memorial donations may be made to Delaware Hospice, 20167 Office Circle, Georgetown, DE 19947.
Donald E. Dawson,
master plumber
Donald E. Dawson, 84, of Rehoboth Beach, formerly of Bellemoor, passed away Friday, July 20, 2007, on his 61st wedding anniversary, at his residence from complications of diabetes.
He was born July 7, 1923 in Wilmington, son of the late Irwin J. and Mary T. Dawson; he was raised in Union Park Gardens.
A 1942 graduate of Wilmington High School, Don was employed by the Pennsylvania Railroad before joining the U.S. Army. He served with the U.S. Cavalry during World War II from 1943 to 1946. He was stationed in China, Burma and India. He was part of an elite regiment that lived with, and taught military skills to the native Chinese population; he was a rifleman instructor. He was awarded several medals: Asiatic-Pacific Service Medal with two bronze stars, Good Conduct Medal and WW II Victory Medal.
After returning from China, Donald owned his own plumbing and heating business for 40 years, earning his Master Plumber certification. He was a past member of the Christiana Hundred Lions Club, Diamond State Post No. 2863, and a current member of the Rehoboth Beach Yacht & Country Club. Don was an avid hunter, fisherman and sports fan with season tickets for the University of Delaware, the Philadelphia Eagles and the Phillies.
He had a second home for many years in Dewey Beach. Don was the general contractor during the building of his dream home in the Rehoboth Beach Yacht & Country Club. For the last 20 years Don enjoyed his retirement, his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his son, Sgt. Donald E. Dawson in 1969 who died while serving in Vietnam.
He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Marcella D. Dawson; his daughter, Mary Ann Warner and her husband Bruce of Hockessin; three granddaughters, Heather Dougherty and her husband Joed and their children, Miles and Sean, all of Wilmington, Lori May and her husband Charles and their children Logan, Charlie and Cameron, all of Wilmington, and Gwynne Borsello and her husband Michael and their children Thomas and Lola all of Hockessin; two brothers, Irwin J. Dawson and his wife Betsy of Lewes, and Fred T. Dawson and his wife Helen of Newark; and many nieces and nephews, He will be dearly missed for his wit and many stories. Services will be held at 11 a.m., Friday, July 27, at Parsell Funeral Homes & Crematorium, Atkins-Lodge Chapel, 16961 Kings Highway, Lewes, where friends may call one hour prior to the service. Burial will be private.
Shirley A. Ortlip,
loved to fish
Shirley A. Ortlip, 57, of Rehoboth Beach, formerly of Boyertown, Pa., passed away Tuesday, July 17, 2007, at her home, surrounded by her loving family.
She was born in West Chester, Pa., daughter of the late Rose and Jay Fiore.
She was a graduate of Phoenixville High School in Phoenixville, Pa.
Shirley was a sales assistant for Hook Line and Sinker Bait & Tackle Shop at the Cape Henlopen State Park in Lewes. She enjoyed dancing, loved to fish and was a member of the Delaware Mobile Surf-Fishermen association.
In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by her husband, Kerry Ortlip, in 2002. She is survived by two sons, Timothy and Joseph Ortlip of Rehoboth Beach; a sister, Joan Redmon of Florida; and dear friends, Josephine Brett and Debbie DiNunzio of Delaware.
Friends may call from 10 a.m. to noon, Monday, July 23, at the chapel of Devlin-Rosmos-Kepp Funeral Home Inc, 517 S. Main St., Phoenixville. A graveside service will be held at 12:30 p.m., Monday, at the Limerick Garden of Memories, 44 Swamp Pike, Limerick, Pa.
In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorial contributions in Shirley’s name to Delaware Hospice, 20167 Office Circle, Georgetown, DE 19947, or Safe Haven Animal Sanctuary, PO Box 430, Nassau, DE 19969.
Local arrangements by Melson Funeral Services of Long Neck.
Robert Lee Walker Jr.,
master plumber
Robert Lee Walker Jr., 45, of Berlin, Md., died Tuesday, July 17, 2007, at his home surrounded by his wife and daughters, after a courageous battle with cancer.
Bob was born July 20, 1961, in Baltimore, Md., son of Robert and Dolores Walker of Ocean City, Md.
He graduated from Stephen Decatur High School in 1979. After attending Salisbury University, Bob became a master plumber and was employed by his family’s business, Walker Plumbing in Ocean City. He was a member of Stevenson United Methodist Church, Berlin Lions Club and Promise Keepers.
Over the years Bob played in several softball and bowling leagues. Bob coached Berlin Little League for many years as well as Worcester County Pony Tail Softball and Worcester County soccer. He was always available to assist his wife in coaching indoor and summer league field hockey for Stephen Decatur High School. Bob was happiest when he was spending time with his family. He could always be seen at Lindsay and Caitlin’s sporting events or chaperoning a school trip whenever possible. He also enjoyed fishing and relaxing on the beach.
Bob will be dearly missed by his family as well as many friends. He was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, Alvin and Ethel Unger. In addition to his parents, he is survived by his wife of 23 years, Terry Wyatt Walker, and their daughters, Lindsay Marie and Caitlin Jane, both at home; his brother, Michael Walker and his wife Sandi and their sons Steven and Bradley of Lewes; a special aunt and uncle, Nancy and Sandy Ledger of Thurmont, Md.; parents-in-law, Ed and Jane Wyatt of Rehoboth Beach; sister-in-law, Susan Lee and her husband Michael and their children Brian and Samantha of Lewes; brother-in-law, Tim Wyatt and his wife Marie and their sons Tyler and Andrew of Grasonville, Md.
A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m., Friday, July 20, at Stevenson United Methodist Church in Berlin. Friends may call from 6 to 8 p.m., Thursday evening, July 19, at the church. Interment will be in Evergreen cemetery
in Berlin.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Bob’s memory to Stevenson United Methodist Church, 123 Main St., Berlin, MD 21811 or Berlin Lions Club, PO Box 213, Berlin, MD 21811.
Arrangements handled by Burbage Funeral Home, Berlin.
