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Frances Joseph Wilgus,
active church member
Frances Joseph Wilgus, 88, of San Jose, Calif., and formerly of Georgetown, passed away Monday, Oct. 29, 2007, at El Camino Hospital in Mountain View, Calif.
She was born in Lewes, the daughter of the late John Edward and Clara Prettyman Joseph.
Mrs. Wilgus was a homemaker.
She was a longtime member and had been very active in St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Georgetown.
In addition to her parents, Mrs.Wilgus was preceded in death by her husband, Rodney Wilgus in 1998.
She is survived by a daughter, Janelle Hickey and her husband Mike of San Jose, Calif.; and several grandchildren and great grandchildren.
A graveside memorial service will be held at 3 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 17, at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church cemetery, Pine and Academy streets, Georgetown.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions be made to the church.
Arrangements handled by Short Funeral Services, Georgetown.
Dr. Jane Burkhardt,
noted physician
Janie Mae Millwood Burkhardt, 88, died on Wednesday, Oct. 31, 2007.
A daughter of the deep South, Dr. Burkhardt graduated from Oglethorp University in Georgia, where she met and later married Robert Burkhardt. In 1942, she and her small family moved to Washington, D.C .
She began her distinguished career on Capitol Hill and was present there when Harry S. Truman was inaugurated.
She took a position at the National Institutes of Mental Health in Bethesda, Md., and next at Chestnut Lodge, in Rockville, Md. as a research assistant, which sparked Dr. Burkhardt’s interest in mental health.
In the 1950s she began to pursue a doctorate in educational psychology first at American University and then at George Washington University, all the while devoting most of her time to raising her two daughters.
When her girls were nearly grown and the doctorate within reach, she began counseling students at the George Washington University Counseling Services, where she remained through the 1960s and early 1970s.
In the early 1970s Dr. Burkhardt and her husband moved to West Virginia, where she accepted a position counseling veterans at the Veterans Administration in Martinsburg.
During that time period she founded the first chapter of NOW in the Eastern Panhandle and spent much time working for women’s rights, serving on the Governor’s Advisory Board for women’s affairs. In the early 1990s she and her husband retired to Lewes Beach, where she began the Quakertown Counseling Center.
Throughout her life, she remained devoted to women’s issues, from rape counseling to battered women’s shelters.
She is survived by two daughters, Beth Burkhardt and Evelyn Ogden, and a granddaughter, Leigh Anderson.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be sent to Families in Transition, 112 Airport Road, Milford, DE 19963. A memorial service will be held in Atlanta, Ga. at a later date. Arrangements by Parsell Funeral Homes, Atkins-Lodge Chapel, Lewes.
John M. Schaffer,
had friends in Rehoboth
John Meyers Schaffer died Friday, Nov. 2, 2007. Mr. Schaffer was the former husband of Louisa M. Schaffer, the dear father of Ruth Ann Carroll, John H. Schaffer, Jean S. Goldbeck and the late Richard H. Schaffer; dear father-in-law of Mark Carroll, Robin Schaffer, Paula Schaffer and John Goldbeck Jr.; dear grandfather of Kathryn and Ryan Sorestad, Matthew Carroll, Jonathan and Jenna Schaffer, Jennifer and Jerry Pierson, Michelle Schaffer and the late Christine Schaffer; the devoted great-grandfather of Taylor Marie, Christian and Tucker Pierson; devoted brother of Quinton A. Schaffer Jr. and his wife Shirley; devoted uncle of Barbara Schaffer and Q.A. “Skip” Schaffer III; and survived by many devoted friends in Baltimore and Rehoboth Beach.
A memorial service will be held at 3 p.m., Sunday, at Christ Episcopal Church, 200 Church Road, Milford.
Contributions in lieu of flowers are suggested to the Stella Maris Hospice, 2300 Dulaney Valley Road, Timonium, MD 21093.
Virginia Joy,
Rehoboth Realtor
Virginia Joy, 91, formerly of Rehoboth Beach, peacefully began her life in eternity, Sunday, Oct. 28, 2007.
She resided at Cokesbury Village, Hockessin, for the last 20 years. Virginia celebrated her 91st birthday October 13, 2007.
Virginia traveled extensively throughout the world, for several years serving aboard the Matson Lines in the South Pacific. She enjoyed a varied real estate career in New Castle County, Kent County and eventually became sales manager for Anderson Stokes in Rehoboth Beach. In 1966, she opened Virginia Joy, Realtors, in Rehoboth Beach, which she sold out to her associate, Patricia Campbell-White, in 1981, when Virginia retired. In 1974, she partnered with Patterson-Schwartz Associates of New Castle County in providing sales and management services for The Henlopen condominiums, Rehoboth Beach.
A member of Westminster Presbyterian Church, Rehoboth Beach, Virginia served as president of the Rehoboth Beach Chamber of Commerce, and in 1974 was president of the Delaware Association of Realtors and a member of the board of directors of the National Association of Realtors. In 1974, she served as a member of the Delaware Tomorrow Commission for the state of Delaware.
Born in Pittsburgh, Pa., in 1916, Virginia was preceded in death by her father, Henry Grady Joy in 1919, and her mother, Alice Cox Joy in 1985. Having no immediate family members, she is survived by her friend and former business associate, Patricia Campbell-White and her husband, Donald C. White of Rehoboth Beach.
A memorial service will be conducted by the Rev. John Dean, at Cokesbury Village, Community Room, Level A, Hockessin, at 2 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 10. Interment will be private. In lieu of flowers, contributions are suggested to the Safe Haven Animal Sanctuary of Sussex County, P. O Box 430, Nassau, DE 19969.
Arrangements by Chandler Funeral Home & Crematory.
Margaret M. Rehkamp,
retired nurses aide
Margaret M. Rehkamp, of Georgetown, passed away Friday, November 2, 200,7 in Lewes Convalescent Center. She was 71.
Margaret was born in Melrose, Minn., daughter of the late George and Bernadette Bushay Upton.
She was a nurses assistant with VNA and retired several years ago.
She is survived by three children, Wayne N. Rehkamp Sr. of Iowa, David L. Rehkamp and wife Lois of Milton, and John Rehkamp of Washington; five grandchildren, Wayne Rehkamp Jr., Michael Rehkamp, Davis Rehkamp II, Brandy Rehkamp and Jerry Rehkamp; two great-grandchildren; and three siblings, Pat Karnes and Norbert Upton of Minnesota and Buzz Upton of Florida.
Services and burial will be private.
Arrangements handled by Short Funeral Services, Milton.
Margaret N. Purnell,
enjoyed reading
Margaret N. Purnell, 69, of Millsboro, died Thursday, Nov. 1, 2007, at Beebe Medical Center in Lewes.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Clarence Pitts and Marjorie Williams.
Survivors include her husband of 43 years, Henry E. Purnell Sr.; children, Kim L. Purnell of Orlando Fla., Phillip Purnell of Wilmington, Henry Purnell Jr. of Seaford, and Henry Purnell III of Wilmington; brothers, Vincent Davis Sr. and wife Nancy of Frankford, Calvin Davis and wife Jennie of Campbell Town, Md., and Jeffrey Taylor of Lewes; sisters, Debra Taylor of Millsboro, Janet Johnson of Pasadena, Md., and Pamela Davis of Frankford; six grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews and friends.
Margaret was a homemaker. She graduated from Worcester High School in Snow Hill, Md. She enjoyed reading, cooking and traveling.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m., Friday, Nov. 9, 2007, at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, 405 Flower St., Berlin, Md., where friends may call one hour prior.
The Rev. Barbara Harmon will officiate.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Military Order of the Purple Hearts, 5413 Backlick Road, Springfield, VA 22151.
John S. Weiant,
retired drywall mechanic
John S. Weiant, 84, of New Castle, passed away Wednesday, Oct. 31, 2007, at the Veterans Medical Center in Elsmere.
Born in Wilmington, he was the son of the late John D. and Ida Brown Weiant. Mr. Weiant served his country faithfully in the U.S. Army during World War II and in Korea. John had been employed in the construction field as a drywall mechanic.
He was predeceased by two sisters, Lilian Fleming and Charlotte Barzak. Left to cherish his memory are his siblings, Richard Weiant of New Castle, Betty Garcia of New Castle, Carolin Smith of Smyrna, Katherine Maichle of Rehoboth, Doris Waters of Mobile, Ala., Roy Weiant of Middletown, Charles Weiant of Bear; and a host of nieces and nephews.
The funeral service will be at noon, Wednesday Nov. 7, at Gebhart Funeral Home, 531 Delaware St., New Castle. Visitation will be 6-8 p.m., Tuesday, Nov. 6, at the funeral home. Burial in Delaware Veterans Memorial cemetery. Arrangements by Gebhart Funeral Homes of New Castle County.
Edna Romano,
retired cafeteria manager
Edna Romano, 102, of Millcroft Manor in Newark, went home to be with the Lord on Thursday, Nov. 1, 2007.
She was quite the seamstress and made most of the shirts and dresses for her children. When grandchildren came along, she made the girls beautiful smocked dresses. She was manager of the Bayard School Cafeteria until retiring in 1968. After retiring, Edna helped as one of the founding members of the Clarence Fraim Senior Center. She served as a board member, took classes and taught sewing. She advocated exercise and especially water aerobics, which she did for 33 years. Since moving to Millcroft, she exercised with a group five days a week and encouraged others to join with her. She was a member of Silverbrook United Methodist church until moving to Millcroft, where she then attended church services.
She was predeceased by her husband, John Romano; a son, Laurence Smith; and a sister, Ann Pitts. She is survived by three daughters, Alice Eileen Simione and Mary Edna Krejci, both of Wilmington; and Joan Lester and her husband Bailey of Lewes; two sons, Donald R. Romano and his wife Joan of Collegeville, Pa., and John Romano of Wilmington; a sister, Dorothy Lane; and a brother, Joseph Lane, both of Wilmington; 19 grandchildren and many, many great- and great- great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m., Wednesday, Nov. 7, at Chandler Funeral Home, 7230 Lancaster Pike, Hockessin, where friends may call from 10 to 11 a.m. Interment will follow in Silverbrook cemetery, Wilmington.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to the Clarence Fraim Senior Center, 669 S. Union St., Wilmington, DE 19805
James R. Daggett,
Boeing retiree
James R. Daggett, 83, of Bear, passed away on Thursday, Nov. 1, 2007.
Mr. Daggett was born in Lancaster, Pa., to Estella G. and James G. Daggett.
He served in the Army during World War II. He retired from Boeing Vertol Corp. in Ridley Park, Pa., after more than 30 years of service.
He was preceded in death by his sister Frances A. Hoover, and grandson Matthew R. Daggett.
He will be sadly missed by his wife of 55 years, Jean M. Daggett; his sons, William B. Daggett of New Castle, and Mark L. Daggett and his wife Jennifer of Newark; and his daughter, Mary E. Lawson and her husband Kirk of Harbeson; a granddaughter, Kristen L. Daggett, and a grandson Robert W. Lawson; his sisters, Harriet E. Chassereau of Millsboro and Ruth M. Baker of England; and many nieces and nephews.
A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m., Tuesday, Nov. 6, at Trinity Presbyterian Church, Naamans and Darley roads, Wilmington.
In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to the Delaware Association for the Blind, 800 West St., Wilmington, DE 19801.
Helen E. ‘Pat’ Borcherding,
childcare provider
Helen E. “Pat” Borcherding, 77, of Lewes, went to be with her Lord and Savior on Thursday, Nov. 1, 2007.
Mrs. Borcherding was born in Baltimore on May 29, 1930, daughter of Isaac Green and Ella Wells.
A loving childcare provider for 25 years, Mrs. Borcherding touched the lives of many children and families.
She and her husband, Ed, loved to travel and saw much of the United States.
Mrs. Borcherding was a great cook and cake baker, kept a spotless home and loved to be surrounded by family and friends.
She gave much more than she ever received.
She is survived by her devoted husband, Edward F. Borcherding; sons, Robert A. Hamilton of Millsboro, Dr. Edward J. Hamilton and his wife Pamela of Roanoke, Va., and R. Dale Hamilton and his wife Kathleen of Dover; grandchildren, Jeff, Chris, Kristin, Scott, Kevin, James, Jerry, Jake, Kirby and Andrew; seven great-grandchildren; her sister, Dolores Harper and husband John “Bud” of Lewes; her brother, James F. Green and wife Patsy of Murray, Ky.; and four nephews.
Services were held in Pippin Funeral Home, Wyoming, with burial in Loudon Park cemetery, Baltimore.
