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Ann Van Herpe,
master gardener
Ann Dieffenbach Van Herpe, 75, of Potomac, Md., passed away peacefully June 25, 2007, in her home, after a courageous battle with cancer.
Ann was a lifelong resident of the Washington metropolitan area, as well as spending 45 years as a part-time resident of Rehoboth Beach, where she spent many summers with her family. Rehoboth was one of Ann’s favorite places. She became part of the local community as she spent more and more time there. She was an active member the North Shores Homeowners Association in addition to volunteering her time as a docent during the Annual Cottage House Tour. Ann maintained two gardens, one at her home in North Shores and one at her residence in Potomac, Md., which she lovingly tended. Ann’s knowledge of gardening was expanded as she acquired a degree and certification as a master gardner.
As Ann’s love of gardening deepened over the years, her gardens reflected that beauty and became a source of satisfaction and fulfillment. Ann’s second love was reading, and through this she gained a vast knowledge of history, as well as many other subjects.
Through Ann’s voracious reading and interest in her own family history she began to research her ancestry, which became a source of great comfort and pride to her toward the end of her life.
She was born in Garfield Hospital in Washington, D.C., Oct. 30, 1931. She resided in Bethesda, Md., and was a graduate of Bethesda Chevy-Chase High School as a member of the class of 1948.
After being awarded an associate’s degree from Marjorie Webster in 1950, she was employed by the Department of Interior as a secretary, where she worked until she married her husband June 11, 1955, in Bethesda.
After her husband completed his residency in orthopaedics the couple settled in Somerset, Md., on Dorset Avenue then in Bethesda on Still Spring Court, In 1969, they moved to their current residence in Potomac Falls, Md.
Ann made her spiritual home at St. Francis Episcopal Church in Potomac for 45 years where she dedicated her time, energy and efforts to their outreach program. She was a member of the Arlington County Physicians Wives Association. Ann tirelessly devoted herself to her husband, children and later her grandchildren and her many friends and acquaintances.
She is survived by her beloved husband of 52 years, Dr. Leo B. Van Herpe; and by her five children, two sons Michael A. of Potomac, and Christopher L. and his wife Cyndi of Cazenovia, N.Y.; three daughters, Sandra A. Christian and her husband Steve of Gaithersburg, Md., Leslie L. Van Herpe-Shockley and her husband Paul, of Owasso, Okla. and Pamela G. Bohner and her husband Scott of Mill Valley, Calif.; and eight grandchildren, Bryant, Lindsey, Molly, Emily, Christian, Catherine, Charlie and Christopher. She is also survived by twin brothers Paul Dieffenbach of Littlestown, Pa., and Philip (Helene) Dieffenbach of Urbana, Md.
Willie M. Taylor,
former business owner
Wille M. Taylor, 62, of Millsboro, died June 28, 2007, at Beebe Medical Center, Lewes.
He was the son of Willie and Quinnie Grimsly Taylor.
Willie was the former owner of Tri-state Mobile Home Supply for 22 years. Willie was a U.S. Army veteran, serving in Vietnam. He was a member of the American Legion Post 24 in Dagsboro. He had been in the Virginia National Guard for 12 years before moving to Delaware.
He was a former member of the Millsboro Chamber of Commerce, Lions Club and Fraternal Order of Police Auxiliary .
He enjoyed having cookouts and cooking, and he loved animals - including his favorites, pugs. He was a very generous person who was always willing to lend a hand.
He is survived by his wife of 24 years, Patricia L. Taylor; his children, Joe Taylor and his wife Mary of Cheraw S.C., the Rev. Robert L. Smith and his wife Patricia of Cleveland, Tenn., Ronald L. Smith and his wife Etta of Lynchburg, Va., Ricky L. Smith and his wife Debra of Monroe, Va., Rayna Low and her husband David of Hoffman of Estates, Ill., Raymie L Miller and her husband Roger of Millsboro and Sara A. Zarea of Mesa, Ariz.; a brother, Gerald Taylor and his wife Rena of Florence S.C.; his sisters:, Ruby Legette, Shelby Watts, Eva Mae Gaddy and Doris Emanuel, all of Dillon, S.C.; nine grandchildren; and two great grandchildren.
Services were held at Watson Funeral Home, Millsboro with interment private.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Tunnel Cancer Center 424 Savannah Road, Lewes, DE 19958.
Arrangements by Watson Funeral Home, Millsboro.
Vienna L. Head,
retired insurance rep
Vienna L. Head, 65, of Millsboro and formerly of Harrisburg, Pa., passed away Thursday, June 21, 2007, at Beebe Medical Center in Lewes.
Mrs. Head was employed by Highmark Life Insurance Co. as a customer-service representative in the claims department, retiring in 1998 before moving to the Millsboro area.
She was a member of the Long Neck United Methodist Church, a member of the United Methodist Women and a Ladies Auxiliary member at the American Legion Post 28 in Millsboro. She enjoyed fishing and boating.
She is survived by her loving husband of 47 years, William Head; two sons, Kenneth Alan Head and his wife Sharon of Hummelstown, Pa., and William Thomas Head of Oberlin, Pa.
A memorial service will be at 11 a.m., Tuesday, July 10, at the Long Neck United Methodist Church, 32051 Long Neck Road, Millsboro, DE 19966. Interment will be private.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions in Vienna’s name to the American Cancer Society Sussex County Unit, P.O. Box 163, Salisbury, MD 21805.
Arrangements by the Long Neck Chapel of Melson Funeral Services.
Roy F. Soots,
TV repair shop owner
Roy Franklin Soots, 68, of Lewes, passed away Saturday, June 30, 2007, at Wilmington Hospital, surrounded by his family.
He was born Feb. 13, 1939, in Indianapolis, Ind., son of the late Herschell William and Nellie Crystal Conger Soots.
Mr. Soots was the former owner and operator of Night and Day TV, a televison repair shop.
Prior to his illness, he was employed by Beebe Medical Center.
He enjoyed bowling and being with his family and friends.
He is survived by his two daughters, Tamara Ann Soots of Millsboro and Jennifer Mayer of Georgetown; his sister, Helen Patton of Indianapolis, Ind.; and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be at 11 a.m., Thursday, July 5, at Parsell Funeral Homes & Crematorium, Atkins-Lodge Chapel in Lewes; there will be no calling hours. Interment will be at Delaware Veterans Memorial cemetery , Millsboro.
Frances H. Wiley,
former Lions Club member
Frances H. Wiley, 93, of Millsboro, formerly of Aston, Pa., passed away Wednesday, Aug. 29, 2007, in her home.
Frances was born in Concord, Pa., daughter of the late Clarence and Orpha Walters Husbands.
She was a homemaker.
While residing in Aston, Frances was an active member of the Mount Hope U.M. Church and a Lioness with the Aston Lions Club. She moved to Millsboro about seven years ago.
In addition to her parents, Frances was preceded in death by her husband, Charles B. Wiley, and two sons, Barry Wiley and Gene Wiley.
She is survived by two sons, Frank Wiley, with whom she lived in Millsboro, and Walter Wiley of Charlotte, N.C.; nine grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.
Memorial services at Mount Hope U.M. Church in Aston will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Mount Hope U.M. Church, 4020 Concord Road, Aston, PA 19014.
Arrangements handled by Short Funeral Services, Milton.
Joseph E. Keate,
traveled extensively
Joseph E. Keate, 79, of Rehoboth Beach and The Villages, Fla., passed away Sunday, Aug. 26, 2007, in Florida. He was born July 9, 1928, in Los Angeles, Calif., son of the late Joseph and Janet Keate.
Mr. Keate retired from the Montgomery County, Md., Department of Transportation and moved to Rehoboth Beach in 1983. He worked for Coldwell Banker Rehoboth Resort Realty and Anderson Stokes. He then traveled extensively and became a Florida sun bird.
He was active in St. Edmond’s parish as a eucharistic minister, a member of the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults and a member of the St. Vincent de Paul Society. He overcame many medical problems with a cheerful heart and now has earned his well-deserved rest.
Mr. Keate was the beloved husband of Barbara Keate and the brother of Mae Miles of Solvana, Calif. Joe loved being a part of Barbara’s large family - her eight children, their spouses and nineteen grandchildren.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m., Friday, Aug. 31, at St. Edmond’s Catholic Church, King Charles Avenue and Laurel Street, Rehoboth Beach. Friends may call at the church one hour prior to Mass. Interment will be private. Arrangements are being handled by Parsell Funeral Homes & Crematorium, Lewes.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions be made to the St. Vincent de Paul Society, c/o St. Edmond’s Catholic Church, P.O. Box 646, Rehoboth Beach, DE 19971.
Theodore E. Willing Sr.,
enjoyed fishing
Theodore Elwood Willing Sr., 72, of Greenwood, formerly of Salisbury, Md., passed from this life Monday, Aug. 27, 2007, in Nanticoke Memorial Hospital in Seaford.
He was born in Salisbury on Dec. 11, 1934, son of the late Raymond Willing and Elizabeth Ruggiero.
Mr. Willing worked at various jobs, including poultry producer, welder, mechanic, carpenter, heavy equipment operator and repairing railroad cars in Texas. He became disabled in 1992.
He enjoyed working on small motors, fishing and in his younger days, riding motorcycles.
Mr. Willing was a member of Old Paths Church of Christ in Georgetown.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, Joseph J. Willing; and a sister, Roselene King.
He is survived by his children and their spouses, Theodore Willing Jr. of Eden, Md., Preston and Jennie Willing of Mardela, Md., James and Kathy Willing of Bedford, Pa., Paul and Ylonda Willing of Hebron, Md., and Daisey Myers of Selbyville; four brothers and their spouses, Leon and Doris Willing of Bridgeville, James S. and Lora Jean Willing of Salisbury, Charles and Ruth Ruggiero of Lewes, and Lennie Ruggiero of Ellendale; two sisters, Vivian Szabo of Virginia, and Teresa Myers of Ellendale; 10 grandchildren, Preston Jr., Brian, Andrea, Paul, Christopher, A.J., Rebecca, Raymond “Buck,” Jason and Bradley; his great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be at noon, Friday, Aug. 31, in Old Paths Church of Christ, 18295 Redden Road, Georgetown, where family and friends may call one hour prior. Interment will be held at the adjoining cemetery.
Flowers are accepted, or donations can be made to Old Paths Church of Christ, 18295 Redden Road, Georgetown, DE 19947.
Joseph Garber,
U.S. Army Air veteran
Joseph Garber, 85, of Rehoboth Beach and formerly of Wilmington, died Tuesday, Aug. 28, 2007.
A U.S. Army Air Corps veteran of World War II, he was an entrepreneur.
He is survived by his daughter, Judy Yaakovian; his grandsons, Matthew and Michael Yaakovian; his great-grandchildren, Ethan and Natalie; his sister, Claire Cohen of Wilmington; and his companion, Florence Levy.
Graveside services were held at the Jewish Community cemetery , Wilmington.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to Seaside Jewish Community, P.O. Box 1472, Rehoboth Beach, DE 19971.
Amedeo E. DeBastiani,
U.S. Steel retiree
Amedeo “Mickey” E. DeBastiani, 85, of Milton, formerly of Ligonier, Pa., passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family Monday, Aug. 27, 2007, at his home. Mr. DeBastiani was born in Renton, Pa., Jan.15, 1922, son of the late Giacomo and Antoinette Pinazza DeBastiani. Mickey was a veteran of World War II serving in the Navy and Merchant Marines.
Mr. DeBastiani retired after 34 years of service at United States Steel in Pittsburgh, Pa. Mickey enjoyed photography, gardening, fishing, reading and music. He was also a member of St. Michael’s Catholic Church choir in Georgetown, the choir at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Ligonier and the choir at the Georgetown CHEER Center. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by five brothers and sisters, Gino DeBastiani, Gilda Potter, Thelma Rice, Elsie Dabin and Bruno DeBastiani. He is survived by his loving wife of 62 years Asunta “Sue” Nuzzo DeBastiani; a son, James DeBastiani and his wife Barbara of Georgetown; two daughters, Louise DeBastiani of Milton, and Bobbie DeBastiani of Lewes; four grandchildren, Annette, Mary Beth, Antonia and Tessa DeBastiani; and two sisters, Emma Pavlick of New Kensington, Pa., and Erma Grajcar of Prince Frederick, Md. A memorial mass was held Wednesday, Aug. 29, in Georgetown, with in the Delaware Veterans Memorial cemetery , Millsboro. In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorial contributions in Mickey’s name to Delaware Hospice, 20167 Office Circle, Georgetown, DE 19947.
Ruth G. Peck,
retired accountant
Ruth G. Peck, 81, passed away on Wednesday, May 30, 2007, at Martin Nursing and Restorative Care Center in Stuart, Fla.
Born in Providence, R.I., she had resided in Jensen Beach, Fla., since 1982, coming from Millsboro.
Prior to retirement she was a tax accountant for H.B. Mitchell & Son in Millsboro for over 20 years.
She was a member of Grace United Methodist Church in Millsboro before moving to Florida.
She is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Randy and Alice Peck of Fort Worth, Texas. She is also survived by two grandchildren, Jack and Zoe.
Ruth was preceded in death by her parents, Harold A. and Gladys I. Gardner; and one brother.
A graveside memorial service will be held on Saturday, Sept. 1, at 11 a.m. at the Millsboro cemetery , Millsboro.
Arrangements by Watson Funeral Home, 211 Washington St., Millsboro.
Kathy J. Goff LeCates,
floral designer
Kathy J. Goff LeCates, 57, of Millsboro, died Friday, Aug. 24, 2007, at home.
Kathy was born on Sept. 29, 1949, in Fremont, N.C., to the late Willie E. and Agnes M. Bass Goff.
Kathy had just started working at Jeff’s Greenhouses in Bethel as a floral designer; she was a designer all her life going back to working with her parents in their florist shop years ago. In addition to being an excellent floral designer she loved to read and make jewelry, and she loved her grandchildren.
Kathy is survived by two daughters, Danika Swan of Wilmington, and Montera L. Dorsey of Millsboro; two brothers, Willie E. Goff Jr. of Greenwood, and John K. Goff of Millsboro; two sisters, Cheryl Ellwanger and Beverly West, both of Millsboro; and eight grandchildren, Adrian, Olivia, Quinn, Jozias, Juliana, Jacob, Jeradus and Samuel.
Services will be private and at the discretion of the family.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that contributions be made to the National Wildlife Federation, 11100 Wildlife Center Drive, Reston, VA 20190-5362 in memory of Kathy LeCates.
Paul ‘Gene’ Barker,
retired custodian
Paul E."Gene" Barker, 75, of Georgetown, went to be with the Lord Saturday, Aug. 25, 2007, at St. Francis Hospital in Wilmington. He served in the U.S. Army where his specialty was boxing. Gene retired in 1994 after serving 40 years as an Indian River School District custodian. He loved horse racing, fishing and traveling. In addition to his parents, Gene was predeceased by his wife, Mary Lee Barker, in 1993; his sister, Joann Edwards; and a stepson, David McDaniels. He is survived by his stepdaughter, Nancy J. Ireland of Dover; a stepson, Bobby McDaniels of Smyrna; his sister, Patty McClelland of Rutland, Ohio; and a host of grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Services will be held at Parsell Funeral Homes & Crematorium, Dodd-Carey Chapel, 307 N. Bedford Street, Georgetown, at noon, Thursday Aug. 30, with a viewing at 11 a.m. Interment will follow in Union cemetery , Georgetown.
