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John E. Castle,
DuPont retiree, inventor
On Friday, Nov. 16, 2007, John Castle was freed from his battle with Alzheimer’s disease.
John was a native of Minneapolis, Minn., where he attended secondary school. He graduated from Carleton College in 1940 with a bachelor’s degree in chemistry and received his PhD in chemistry in 1944 from the University of Wisconsin. John was employed at the DuPont Company in Wilmington for 34 years, initially as a research chemist and ultimately in management in electrochemicals, energy and materials, and central research.
During his career at DuPont, he published a variety of research papers in organic and biochemistry and obtained several patents on processes involving organonitrogen and fluorocarbon compounds. Following retirement from DuPont, John became an adjunct professor at the College of Marine Studies of the University of Delaware in Lewes where he helped to invigorate programs in research and graduate education and did research on chitin in his own laboratory.
During his life in the Wilmington area, John was a devoted participant in his resident community at Horseshoe Hill, an elder at Westminster Presbyterian Church and a member of the school board of the Alexis I. DuPont school system. He was also an avid carpenter and gardener, amateur radio operator (K3MXH) and sailor, who frequented the Chesapeake Bay, Virgin Islands and taught courses in the Wilmington area Power Squadron. John’s final years were spent at Kendal at Longwood where he and his wife, Alice, became the heart of the amateur pottery community. John was a valued contributor to Kendal’s long-range planning committee and to the resident computer support facilities; he was also founder of the in-house television station. Throughout his life, he was an avid photographer, and he pursued this passion with his friend, Sarah Zimmerman, right to the end.
John Castle was preceded in death by Alice, his wife of 59 years. He is survived by his three children, David Castle, Mary C. Duncan and Nancy C. Pranaitis; seven grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. A service commemorating John’s life will be held at 2:30 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 1, at the Westminster Presbyterian Church.
Robert I. Salisbury,
master mechanic
Robert I. Salisbury, 74, of Lincoln, passed away Saturday, Nov. 17, at Harrison Senior Living in Georgetown.
He was born Dec. 10, 1932, in Orabell, N.J, son of the late Donald H. and Mary E. Robbit Salisbury.
For 42 years Mr. Salisbury worked as a master mechanic for Sappah Shovel Service in Parkridge, N.J., until 1994. He continued to work in this capacity for Olori Crane Service, Nanuet, N.J., retiring in 1997 after three years of service. Mr. Salisbury belonged to the American Legion Post 7 in Harrington and was a Korean War veteran.
Mr. Salisbury was preceded in death by his parents and by his stepmother, Dorothy Bogart Salisbury. He is survived by his wife of 47 years, Mildred A. Ferrier Salisbury; his brother, Donald Salisbury of Greenbackville, Va.; his half-sister, Margaret Forbes of Dagsboro; five nieces; four nephews; and five great-nieces.
A memorial service will be held at a later date in New Jersey.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggest memorial contributions be made to Safe Haven Animal Sanctuary of Sussex County, P.O. Box 430, Nassau, DE 19969.
Erik Nathan Friend,
heavy equipment operator
Erik Nathan Friend, 31, of Harbeson, died suddenly Saturday, Nov. 17 as a result of a car accident. He was born March 30, 1976, in Everson, Wash., son of Cecil R. and Barbara (Zydanowicz) Friend of Boynton Beach, Fla.
Erik was a graduate of Sussex Central High School in 1993. He worked as a heavy equipment operator in the field of directional drilling. He loved his work because it took him all over the world. He was an avid outdoorsman. Erik was a loyal friend to many in Delaware and Florida. He had recently moved back to Delaware from Florida. Erik was loved by all who knew him.
In addition to his parents, he leaves behind two sisters, Sonja Friend Uhl and Jessica Friend, and his niece Brianna Uhl, all of West Palm Beach, Fla., and many friends. He will be greatly missed by all.
Funeral services will be at 11 a.m., Wednesday, Nov. 21, at Parsell Funeral Homes & Crematorium, Atkins-Lodge Chapel, 16961 Kings Highway, Lewes, where friends may call one hour prior to the service. Interment will be private.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions be made to the Salvation Army, 525 N. Front St., Georgetown, DE 19947.
Vernon Fountain, 44
U.S. Navy veteran
Vernon Fountain, 44, of Millsboro died Wednesday, Nov. 14, 2007, at his home, peacefully, surrounded by loved ones. He was 44.
Mr. Fountain was born Aug. 1, 1963, in Cuthbert, Ga., to Margaret Graddy Fountain and Johnson V. Fountain.
He was educated in the Cape Henlopen School District.
Mr. Fountain served in the U.S. Navy for three years and was honorably discharged.
In June 1987, he was united in marriage to Kathy Deputy Fountain.
During his civilian employment, Mr. Fountain worked at the Delaware Hospital for the Chronically Ill and later at the Stockley Center until his health began to fail.
He was a loving and compassionate person who enjoyed listening to music as well as helping others.
Mr. Fountain was preceded in death by his daughter, Vertrice Fountain.
He is survived by his wife of more than 20 years, Kathy Fountain of Millsboro; a daughter, Vernette Fountain of Millsboro; two stepdaughters, Charlotte Castillo (Oscar) of Easton, Pa., and Crystal Deputy of Effingham, S.C.; a stepson, Charles Murray of New Castle; his mother, Margaret Fountain of Dover; two sisters, Veronica Fountain of Bowie, Md., and Cheryl Fountain of Mount Rainier, Md.; his maternal grandmother, Ceola Harrison; four grandchildren, Chanelle, Terry, Jason and Naomi; his mother-in-law, Katheryne Deputy; two sisters-in-law, Gloria Minus (Thomas) and the Rev. Dorthulia Bradley of Felton; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends.
Funeral services will be 1 p.m., Wednesday, Nov. 21, at the Dagsboro Church of God, where friends may call two hours prior.
Interment will be private.
Arrangements are being handled by Bennie Smith Funeral Home, Millsboro.
Elizabeth Helen Jones,
expert seamstress
Elizabeth Helen Jones, 89, of near Georgetown, passed away peacefully, Saturday, Nov. 17, 2007, at her residence with her family surrounding her bedside. Mrs. Jones was born on Nov. 2, 1918, in Wilmington, daughter of the late Andrew Cichocki and Jesse Pawlokowski Cichocki.
Mrs. Jones was an expert seamstress and had worked at many of the sewing factories in Delaware over the years. She had also worked at the Mr. Donut in Midway and Milford. She was devoted to her family and especially to watching her grandchildren in Little League and other sports. She attended Adult Plus+ where she played cards and she was known for her baking, especially her cookies.
She was predeceased by her husband, James Frank Jones Jr. in 1968.
She is survived by her son, James F. Jones III and wife Diane of Sarasota, Fla.; and her daughter, Barbara Elizabeth Truitt and husband Jim of Georgetown; four grandchildren, Beth Redden and husband Ralph of Millsboro, Brooks Truitt and wife Lisa of Georgetown, Brett Truitt and wife Cristina of Norristown, Pa., and Sharon Bartolome and husband Carlos of Sarasota, Fla.; one great-grandson, Roy Truitt; and two step- great-grandchildren, Christopher and Arianna Bartolome.
She is also survived by very close friends, Becky and Jacob Breasure of Georgetown.
Funeral services will be at 10 a.m., Wednesday Nov. 21, at the Parsell Funeral Homes & Crematorium, Dodd-Carey Chapel, 307 North Bedford St., Georgetown, where friends may call one hour prior to services. Burial will be graveside at 1:30 p.m. at Gracelawn Memorial Park, New Castle, Delaware
In lieu of flowers contributions are suggested to Delaware Hospice, 20167 Office Circle, Georgetown, DE 19947.
Dwinton O. Morgan,
retired engineer
Dwinton O. “D.O.” Morgan, 84, of Laurel went to be with the Lord on Thursday, Nov. 15, 2007, at his home. He was 84.
Born in Baltimore, Mr. Morgan was the son of the late Walter and Bessie Morgan.
He proudly served the nation as an officer in the U.S. Navy.
Mr. Morgan later retired from the DuPont Co., Seaford, as an electrical design engineer, with more than 30 years of service.
He was a member of Centenary United Methodist Church, Laurel.
Mr. Morgan was an associate member of the Laurel Lions Club and a past member of the American Legion Post 19.
He was a graduate of Clemson and Columbia universities.
Mr. Morgan was known by his family as a loving father and family man. They will remember him as willing to make sacrifices in order to pave the way for others; a leader who was confident, strong and skilled; and a man who loved unconditionally with a generous and compassionate heart.
He is survived by a son, Dwinton O. Morgan II of Georgetown; his daughters, Deborah Mitchell of Laurel, Dawn McWilliams of Crownsville, Md., and Doris Valenti of Lewes; and his grandchildren, Dorsey Mitchell, Morgan McWilliams, Anthony Valenti and Nathaniel Valenti.
A funeral service will be 11 a.m., Wednesday, Nov. 21, at Centenary United Methodist Church, 200 W. Market St., Lewes. The Rev. John Van Tine will officiate. Interment will follow with full military honors in Laurel Hill cemetery.
Donations can be made in his memory to Leader Dogs for the Blind, 1039 S. Rochester Road, Rochester, MI 48307.
Arrangements are in the care of the Hannigan, Short, Disharoon Funeral Home, Laurel.
Gerald J. Connor,
retired policeman
Gerald J. “Gerry” Connor, 72, departed this life on Wednesday, Nov. 14, 2007, at Capital Nursing Home, Dover, after a lengthy battle with cancer.
Gerry was born and raised in the city of Wilmington by his parents, Charles and Mary Yasik Connor, who preceded him in death. Gerry attended St. Elizabeth’s Parochial School and Wilmington High School, class of 1953. He followed up with higher education classes at the University of Delaware, where he was a member of the Alpha Alpha Chapter of the Theta Phi fraternity. Gerry served his country in the Navy Reserve from 1952 to 1959. He then went on to serve the citizens of the City of Wilmington as a police officer for 22 years. Following retirement from the police department, Gerry worked as a judicial assistant for the state of Delaware in Family Court for 10 years before retiring to Long Neck.
Gerry loved to play cards with his buddies and go fishing. He was a past member of the Stapler Club, the Irish Cultural Club and the Emerald Society of Delaware. He belonged to the American Legion Post 28 in Oak Orchard at Riverdale. Upon staying in Florida with his wife, he joined the local American Legion Post 186 in Brookside at Spring Hill. He was a lifetime member of the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 1, the Delaware Association of Police and the National Rifle Association.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his two siblings, his brother, Charles “Chuck” Jr. and his sister, Mary Ann. Gerry is survived by his wife of 37 years, EIleen Caroline O’Connell Connor; sons, the oldest, Kevin James and wife Carol, the middle son, Gerald Joseph Jr. and wife Jill, and the youngest, Sean Michael and wife Carmen; eight grandchildren, Amanda, Erin, Shane, Rebecca, Breandan, Richard, Tatiana and Damian. He is also survived by his sister-in-law, Bernadette Millman and husband Vincent of Delaware; family in Ireland; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
A Mass will be offered at 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, Nov. 20, 2007, in St. Elizabeth Church, Cedar & Clayton sts., with burial to follow in All Saints cemetery, Wilmington.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions be made in Gerry’s name to the Helen Graham Cancer Center, 4701 Ogletown-Stanton Road, Newark, DE 19713.
Arrangements by John Yasik Funeral Home.
Nancy Leaming Glassmire Glynn,
musical performer
Nancy Leaming Glassmire Glynn, 77, of Wilmington and Rehoboth Beach, passed peacefully in her sleep Thursday, Nov. 15, 2007, at home after a lengthy battle with cancer.
Nancy studied choral music at Upper Darby High School in Pennsylvania under Dr. Clyde Dengler. She majored in vocal music and minored in piano at Pennsylvania State Teacher’s College at West Chester, now West Chester University of Pennsylvania, earning a B.S. with honors in 1951. As a senior, Nancy sang the lead in Kurt Weil’s “Down in the Valley.” A donated seat in Phillips Memorial Auditorium bears her name. During college, Nancy waited tables at Shawnee-on-Delaware in the Poconos, where she attended workshops led by Fred Waring and his Pennsylvanians. Nancy taught English and directed the flag and twirling corps at Conrad High School beginning in 1951. Stints in music in the Marshallton and Stanton school districts and glee club at St. Elizabeth High School followed. For more than 20 years, Nancy was a regular substitute at Stanton and Skyline junior high schools. Organist and choir director for 13 years at St. Elizabeth Roman Catholic Church, Nancy worked with the Rev. Dr. James Grant. Under her direction, the choir produced a record of music for High Mass. For 36 years, Nancy coordinated the music at St. Mark’s UMC, directing the Chancel and Boulden Bell choirs, orchestra and the Minstrels, who performed more than 500 music and comedy shows at nursing and retirement homes.
At her urging, members of St. Mark’s obtained the pipe organ from the Harrison St. UMC in Wilmington. A carillon dedicated to Nancy and organist Doreen Sonchen was added, and a grand piano honors Nancy’s service in music. Nancy organized choir exchanges between St. Mark’s and Epworth UMC in Rehoboth Beach; many friendships have arisen from the shared Christian fellowship. In 2001, choristers from St. Mark’s, Epworth and Aldersgate UMC sang at 11 English churches including Yorkminster and Salisbury cathedrals and John Wesley’s Church in London. A 49-member choir from St. Mark’s and Epworth sang at seven Protestant and Catholic churches across the Irish countryside. Fellowship between the churches was further strengthened when Nancy joined the Epworth choir for several summers and filled in as director. Over her career, Nancy directed or performed with other groups, including the Clarence Snyder Choral Group, the Wilmington Opera Co. with Chick Laird, the Ladies’ Auxiliary of the Mill Creek FireCo., and a girls’ sextet. She sang or played the organ at countless weddings and funerals; many local students benefited from her piano instruction.
Nancy is remembered as an exceptional mother and grandmother. She cherished time with family and friends at her homes and on the beach at Tower Road; she and George made many new friends on trips in the U.S. and abroad. Nancy’s license plate reads “FALALA,”a tribute to her animated “chicken wing” direction; her rendition of “Johnny Schmoker” was a delight. Nancy’s sticky buns and Million Dollar Pound Cake were signature gifts - a lifelong labor of love. She played contract and duplicate bridge and held master’s points.
Nancy is survived by her husband of 54 years, George E. Jr.; daughter, Susan Robinson (Everett) of Hockessin, son, Jeffrey of Riva, Md., and daughter, Kelly of Wilmington; grandchildren, Matthew Robinson (Michelle), Kathleen Grieco (Joseph) and Maggie Glynn, all of Wilmington, and Ryan Glynn of Davidsonville, Md.; sisters, Suzanne Olds of Annapolis, Md., and Gail Nichols (Edward) of Newtown Square, Pa.; and a large extended family. She was predeceased by her parents, Albert Thomas and Marie Leaming Glassmire, and grandson Collin Robinson.
Funeral services will be held at noon Tuesday, Nov. 20, at St. Mark’s UMC, 1700 Limestone Road, Stanton. Burial will be private.
In lieu of flowers, please send donations in memory of Nancy Glynn to Epworth UMC, 20 Baltimore Ave., Rehoboth Beach, DE 19971, or the West Chester University School of Music, West Chester, PA 19383.
Hallie Mitchell,
World War II veteran
Hallie J. Mitchell, 91, of Millsboro, passed away Thursday, Nov. 15, 2007, at Coastal Hospice at the Lake, Salisbury, Md.
Born near Millsboro, he was the son of the late Charles W. and Amelia Mitchell.
Mr. Mitchell was a trouble and service man for Delmarva Power when he retired in 1981 after 35 years of service. He served his country proudly during World War II, spending 39 months in the Army’s 1st Armored Division and seeing action in Africa, Sicily, Anzio, Rome and the Po River Valley of Italy. He was a member of Grace United Methodist Church and the American Legion in Millsboro.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 56 years, Olive Mitchell; six brothers; and a sister.
He is survived by two sons, Gary L. Mitchell and his wife Carol of Laurel and Douglas H. Mitchell of Millsboro; a daughter, Barbara M. Hopkins and her husband Douglas of Salisbury, Md.; and a granddaughter, Amanda L. Mitchell of Laurel.
Services will be 11 a.m., Tuesday, Nov. 20, at the Watson Funeral Home, 211 Washington St., Millsboro, where friends may call one hour before the service.
The Rev. Rob Townsend and the Rev. W. Leroy Jones will officiate the service. Interment will be in Millsboro cemetery, State Street, Millsboro.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the Grace United Methodist Church, PO Box 566, Millsboro, DE 19966; or Coastal Hospice at the Lake, PO Box 1733, Salisbury, MD 21802-1733.
