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Kimberly A.P. Drayton,
licensed practical nurse
Kimberly Ann Pusey Drayton, 43, of Seaford, died Tuesday, Dec. 18, 2007, at home.
She is survived by her husband, Earl Drayton of Seaford; father and stepmother, Gerald and Hazel Pusey of Millsboro; mother and stepfather, A. Louise and Rick Stone of Millsboro; a son, Travis Fisher of Seaford; a sister, Terri Lee Jenson of Lewes; a half brother, Quintin Stone of Laurel; half sisters, Kim Hall of Princess Ann, Md., and Dee Wertzel of Houston, Texas; two nephews, Shane and Casey; and her canine child, Brutus.
Kimberly graduated from Delaware Technical & Community College in 2003. She was a licensed practical nurse employed by Nanticoke Memorial Hospital.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m., Friday Dec. 21, at Watson Funeral Home, 211 Washington St., Millsboro, where a calling hour will be from 10 to 11 a.m. The Rev. Edward Wilkins will officiate. Interment will be in Millsboro cemetery, Millsboro.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Compassionate Care Hospice, 31038 Country Garden Blvd., Suite D2, Dagsboro, DE 19939.
Arrangements provided by Watson Funeral Home, Millsboro.
Christena M. Snapp,
noted singer
Christena Margaret Snapp, 65, of Milton, passed away Monday, Dec. 17, after a courageous battle with cancer. She was born in Kings Park, N.Y., the daughter of Chrissy and Thomas Allen, who were both immigrants from Ireland.
Chris found her voice and her soulmate at King’s Park High School. There she met Warren Snapp as a freshman and they were inseparable from then on. Chris and Warren were voted Romeo & Juliet of their graduating class of 1959. True devotion between Chris and Warren has been shown throughout their 46 years of marriage.
Chris had boundless energy and an incredible zest for life. She never sat still for long. Chris sang in numerous stage events throughout high school and continued to sing throughout her life. One of her highlights was singing at Carnegie Hall. Among her favorite hobbies were singing, gardening and especially art. She most enjoyed spending time with her husband, family and friends. In addition to being a loving mother and wife, she also had a career as a secretary and business owner.
Chris saw good in everyone, was nurturing and caring, and always had a genuine concern for others. She enjoyed giving her grandchildren the gifts of time, joy, affection, guidance, support and toys. She encouraged everyone to pursue their own personal interests, hopes and dreams. Even during her battle with cancer, she inspired everyone around her with a positive attitude and outlook.
The family will enjoy many happy memories of their homes, lives, and adventures in Kings Park, Long Island; Andover, Mass.; Denville and Montville, N.J; Weybridge, England; and Southport, N.C. before finally settling in Milton. As the first resident of Paynter’s Mill, Chris enthusiastically welcomed new residents and enjoyed many special bonds with new neighbors and friends.
Chris will be sadly missed by her husband Warren; her children Brian and his wife Donna, Ken and his wife Sara, and Christine and her husband Tom; sisters Maureen Allen and Eileen Bruso; beloved grandchildren Anthony, Michelle, Henry, Justin, Jacob, Thomas and Andrew; and numerous friends.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m., Friday, Dec. 21, at St. Ann’s Catholic Church, 691 Garfield Parkway, Bethany Beach. Interment will follow the Mass at Gate of Heaven cemetery, Dagsboro.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions be made to Tunnell Cancer Center, 424 Savannah Road, Lewes, DE 19958.
Harry Leif Hostvedt,
retired engineer
Harry Leif Hostvedt, 80, of Millsboro, died Monday, Dec. 17, of a stroke.
Mr. Hostvedt, a U.S. Army veteran, retired to Delaware 20 years ago after a career as an engineer with Otis Elevator in Philadelphia and Farmington, Conn.
He had been married for 58 years to Mary Charlotte Kline Hostvedt, whom he met in Akron, Ohio, in 1947 when he went home on military leave with her younger brother.
They were married on Oct. 23, 1949, in Akron and had three sons.
During World War II, Mr. Hostvedt served in the Merchant Marine and the U.S. Army.
Harry and Mary raised their family in Hatboro, Pa., in suburban Philadelphia. Mr. Hostvedt was active with his sons in the YMCA Indian Guide Program, Little League Baseball and Pop Warner Football.
Mr. Hostvedt was a big-hearted neighbor who raked leaves, ran errands and arranged medical care for those in his subdivision who could not get around. He could build or repair anything, and lent his handyman talents to many projects. He is a former member of the Board of Trustees of River Village II.
He was a member and former board member of Long Neck United Methodist Church.
Mr. Hostvedt was born June 1, 1927, in Manteo, N.C. His father, Leif, was a seaman, his mother, Bertha, was a housewife. Each year, he returned to the island for a reunion of his high school classmates. He also helped to orchestrate reunions among his former co-workers at Otis.
The internet was Mr. Hostvedt’s favorite means of communication and he sent a slew of emails each week to friends, and electronic greeting cards and games to his grandchildren.
Mr. Hostvedt enjoyed traveling. In his later years, he and his wife visited Hawaii and took a cruise in Alaska. He talked many times of taking a trip to Norway, the land of his ancestors. When he was in his 70s, he went skydiving for the first time, and proudly displayed the photograph that was taken of him in mid-air.
In addition to his wife, Mr. Hostvedt is survived by his sons, Donald of Stevensville, Va.; Rick of Jamison, Pa., and Douglas of Philadelphia. He had seven grandchildren, Beth, Arne, Ole, Eric, Sean, Phoebe and Ava, and one great-granddaughter, Jillian.
The family will receive guests and a viewing will be held from 2 to 4 p.m., Friday, Dec. 21, at Melson Funeral Home, Long Neck Road, Millsboro, with funeral services immediately following.
In lieu of flowers, the family has requested donations to the Long Neck United Methodist Church, 32051 Long Neck Road, Millsboro, DE 19966.
Bertha M. Joseph,
Stockley Center retiree
Bertha M. Joseph, 83, of near Georgetown, passed away Saturday, Dec. 15, 2007 at her home.
Mrs. Joseph was born on June 7, 1924 in Georgetown, to the late Walter and Alice Parker Betts.
Mrs. Joseph was a member of the Mt. Olivet Brethren Church, Shortly Road, Georgetown. She worked as a caregiver at Stockley Center, Georgetown for a number of years.
She loved being with family and friends, loved her church and loved attending family functions.
In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by her husband Norman E. Joseph and by her daughter Thelma who passed in 1969.
Mrs. Joseph is survived by two aunts, Pearldean Parker of Greenwood and Sarah Parker of Georgetown; her close cousins, Madeleine Lewis and Margaret Conaway of Laurel, Annabel Hignutt of Seaford, Ellery Parker of Georgetown and Isabelle Morris of Raleigh, N.C.; a sister-in-law, Ruth M. Hitchens; and other family members, nieces, nephews, other cousins, and a group of very special friends and neighbors.
Services were held at the Watson Funeral Home, Millsboro, Delaware with interment in Millsboro cemetery, Millsboro.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks for contributions to FMC – Mid-Sussex County (Dialysis Unit), 34 Georgetown Plaza, Georgetown, DE 19947.
Joseph Kneipp,
Korean War veteran
Joseph William Kneipp, 78, of Lewes, and formerly of Clinton, Md., died Friday, Dec. 14, 2007, at Beebe Medical Center in Lewes.
Joseph was born in Newark, N.J., son of the late Joseph Kneipp Sr. and Alice Webber Kneipp.
He served in the Navy during the Korean War and enjoyed golf and spending time with his many children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
In addition to his parents, Joseph was preceded in death by a sister, June Carbone, and a brother, James Kneipp.
He is survived by his wife of 16 years, Dorothy Kneipp; two sisters, Margie Taylor of New Jersey and Laura Bruce of Florida; nine children, Joseph Kneipp III of New Jersey, William Kneipp of Lewes, James Kneipp of Milton, Maryanne Millman of Milton, Joyce Simpson of New Jersey, Steven Kneipp of Lewes, Robert Kneipp of Lewes, June Kneipp of New Jersey and Kathy Kneipp of South Carolina. Joseph was blessed to be survived by an additional six stepchildren: Gary Hopkins, Grant Hopkins, Glenn Hopkins, Greg Hopkins, Gene Hopkins and Gail Morey.
Private services were held for the family.
In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to the VA Hospital, 1601 Kirkwood Highway, Wilmington, DE 19805.
Arrangements by Parsell Funeral Enterprises Inc., Lewes.
Garrett B. Lyons Sr.,
dental director
Dr. Garrett Browne Lyons Sr., 74, of Rockland and Henlopen Acres, beloved by his wife Mary Jane and generations of children, their families and the staff of A. I. DuPont Hospital for Children, died at home, Friday, Dec. 14, 2007.
Dr. Lyons, son of Garrett E. Lyons and Nina Browne Lyons was born in Wilmington on Nov. 10, 1933, grew up on Thirteenth Street and graduated from Archmere Academy.
Garry was a gifted athlete in his teens, competing in football, basketball and baseball. Sports remained a passion throughout his life and he was a fixture at University of Delaware football games hosting lively tailgates and front row box seats full of guests.
Garry attended the University of Delaware where he was a member of the Theta Chi Fraternity and graduated from Mount Saint Mary’s College. He continued his education at Georgetown University Dental School, graduating in 1959. Dr. Lyons served his country as captain in the U.S. Air Force Dental Corps during the Korean War. Dr. Lyons entered private practice in 1961, a career that lasted more than 40 years. At the same time, he became dental director at Alfred I. DuPont Institute where he served for 47 years. Dr. Lyons was instrumental in establishing dental services for the elderly at Nemours Health Center where he was director from 1981 until the end of his life.
Throughout his career Dr. Lyons was a member of the Delaware State Dental Society, serving as president (1972), vice president (1971), treasurer (1970), secretary (1969), and executive council (1973). He was a member of the American College of Dentists, Delaware State Board of Dental Examiners, Delta Sigma Delta Dental Fraternity and the Ionizing Radiation Commission.
Like his father, Dr. Lyons was an active member of the Democratic Party and served as Delaware state chairman in 1971. He was a commissioner of the Delaware River and Bay Authority from 1974-2001, serving several terms as chairman. He was a member of Sen. William Roth’s Academy Review Board. He was elected commissioner to the Town of Henlopen Acres in 1995 until he retired in 2001. Dr. Lyons served on the boards of Farmers Bank, Mellon Bank, Blood Bank of Delaware, Beebe Hospital and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Delaware. Dr. Lyons was an outdoorsman who loved hunting and fishing with family and friends. He was a member of the Delaware and New Castle County Departments of Parks and Recreation and the Brandywine Chapter of Ducks Unlimited.
He was a member of the Wilmington Country Club, Wilmington Club, Rehoboth Beach Country Club and Henlopen Acres Beach Club.
Garry is survived by his high school sweetheart and wife of 51 years, Mary Jane Horty Lyons; sons, David and Gary Jr., their wives, Kate and Patricia; seven grandchildren; and his sister, Gay Lyons Walker.
A Mass of Christian Burial and celebration of life was offered at St. Joseph on the Brandywine Parish, with burial private.
It was Dr. Lyons’ wish that in lieu of flowers, contributions be made to A.I. DuPont Hospital for Children, Attention: Partnership Continued from page 79
for Children’s Health, PO Box 269, Wilmington DE 19899.
John F. Bailey,
lifelong learner
John F. Bailey, 52, of Aston, Pa., died unexpectedly on Saturday, Dec. 15, 2007, at his residence.
Born in Linwood, Pa., on Sept. 24, 1955, he was the son of the late John T. Bailey and Alice M. Forrest Shelley.
John grew up in Claymont and Wilmington, graduating from Mount Pleasant Senior High School in 1973. Although his formal education ended after high school, his boundless curiosity continued to enrich his life and the lives of those around him. His experiential education brought him a wealth of longstanding friendships and a wonderful gift for storytelling that delighted his family and friends.
He was self-employed until he became disabled after a car accident in 1996. Despite his disability, he never lost his zest for life, his humor and his devotion to those he was close to. He remained a loyal brother, uncle, and friend, and derived his greatest pleasures from simple things - spending time with his family at their beach home in southern Delaware, fishing, working on his classic Corvette and getting together with his large circle of friends. His was a life too short, but one that was well lived.
John is survived by his two sisters and their husbands, Gretchen and Alan Rachko of Middletown, and Karen Bailey and Ken Tokarz of North Andover, Mass.; his three nieces Allison and Olivia Rachko, of Middletown and Kira Tokarz of North Andover; and his stepfather, S. Arthur Shelley of Rehoboth Beach. He also leaves behind his tightknit band of brothers, many of them friends for more than 30 years, including Harry Stefchak, a Pennsylvania attorney; Don Werkheiser, a Vietnam War veteran; and Joe Delikat, currently stationed in Iraq with the U.S. Army.
A celebration of John’s life was held at Daniels & Hutchison Funeral Home LLC, Middletown, with interment private.
Instead of flowers, the family requests that donations in John’s memory be made to the Crozer-Chester Foundation, One Medical Center Blvd., Upland, PA 19013.
Earl T. Thomas Jr.,
painting contractor
Earl Thornton Thomas Jr., 46, of Lynchburg, Va., died Thursday, Dec. 13, 2007, in Lynchburg. He was born January 15, 1961. He had been fighting intestinal cancer valiantly for several years prior to succumbing to complications. He was preceded in death by his mother, Kathryn Elizabeth Simmers, and is survived by his father, Earl Thornton Thomas Sr., and his stepfather, Cecil Ray Martin.
Earl is also survived by his sons, Ryan Adam Thomas, 20, and Chad Austin Thomas, 15, and their mother, Lori Thomas, all of Lewes, all of whom will truly miss him; sisters, Judy Thomas and friend Carl Wilson, Betty Dickerson and husband James, Teresa Quails and friend William Casey Jr., and Sara Gilbert and friend Gary Mays, all of Madison Heights, Va. He is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews including Kim Driskill, Robby Gilbert, James Allen Keesee, Sherry Gilbert, Meagan Qualls, Jeffrey Dickerson, Virginia Dickerson, Stacy Mays and Katherine Mays; special friends.
In lieu of flowers the family suggests contributions to the Chad Austin Thomas Trust Fund in care of DelCoast Restorations, LLC, P.O. Box 160, Nassau, DE 19969. Arrangements for final interment have not yet been determined.
