Search Archived Marriage Records
Bays, Wayne Albert
Wayne Albert Bays, 91, of Dover and formerly of Felton passed away Wednesday, March 3, 2010 in Westminster Village, Dover.
He was born on May 31, 1918, in Terre Haute, IN, son of the late Estel and Martha (Clark) Bays. He graduated from High School in Terre Haute and attended Franklin University in Columbus, OH. He met and married his wife while stationed with the Navy in Jacksonville, FL. He served in the U.S. Navy during WWII in the South Pacific. He graduated from the U. of FL with a degree in forestry and became a forester with Hudson Pulp and Paper Company (which was bought and is operated by Georgia Pacific Corp.) in Palatka, FL, and resided in Interlachen, FL, where he served on the Town Council from 1959 to 1965, and where he was active in the Congregational Church of Interlachen. After moving to Jacksonville, FL in 1966 he and his wife opened several child daycare centers which they operated until moving to Dover, DE in 1982. He was a member of the Milford Kiwanis where he was past president. He was an active member of Grace Presbyterian Church where he served on the building committee. He enjoyed the fellowship of the ROMEO (Retired Old Men Eating Out) men's fellowship.
He was preceded in death by his parents, stepfather Emery Cline, 3 sons: Wayne Albert Bays, Jr., Mark Estel Bays, Keith Douglas Bays, and a daughter Waynetta Bays Talley.
He is survived by his wife of 68 years Alberta Lyles Bays, his sons, Bruce Bays (Denise) of West Union, South Carolina, Brian Bays (Julie) of Annapolis, Maryland, brothers-in-law, Robert E. Hodges (Martha)of Greensboro, North Carolina, and John D. Lyles (Mary Anne)of Interlachen, Florida and grandchildren, Amy Brogden, Scott Talley, Greg Talley, Dustin Bays, Jackie Bays, Joel Bays, Ben Bays, Jessica Bays and six great-grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held at Grace Presbyterian Church, 350 McKee Road, Dover at 2:00 PM on Friday, March 5. Reception will follow for friends and family. Burial will be private.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions to Grace Presbyterian Church, 350 McKee Rd., Dover, DE 19904 in memory of Wayne Bays.
Melton, Betty
Betty Melton, 67, of Dover passed away Monday, March 1, 2010 in Kent General Hospital, Dover.
She was born on October 11, 1942 in Dover, Delaware, daughter of the late Victor and Elizabeth (Hunter) Caldwell.
Betty started her working career with the Delaware State News and then worked for the Capital School District in the cafeteria for 30 years retiring in 2002. She then worked part time at Price Honda from 2002 until present.
She was a member of the Lebanon Wesley Church since 1960 and also the Trinity Wesleyan Church, where she was a Sunday School teacher, secretary and worked with the youth. She also was a member of the Pilgrim Wesleyan Church in Milford where she also was with the youth ministry.
Betty enjoyed crafts, crocheting, ceramics where she was good with her hands.
Besides her parents, she is preceded in death by a brother Thomas Caldwell.
She is survived by her husband of 50 years Rev. Evan Melton, a daughter Debra Janess and her husband Raymond of Felton, a son Robert Melton of New Orleans, LA, four brothers Victor Caldwell of FL, Johnny Caldwell of Camden, Freddy Caldwell of Woodside, Jimmy Caldwell of FL, a sister Sandy Caldwell of FL, her granddaughter, who was the joy of her life Brittni Janess and very dear friends Margaret Blake and Charlotte Owens.
Service will be 1 pm Thursday, March 4 at the Trinity Wesleyan Church, 1564 S. State St., Dover, where friends may gather two hours earlier. Burial will follow in Odd Fellows Cemetery, Camden.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions to Trinity Wesleyan Church, 1564 S. State St., Dover, DE 19901 or Kent General Hospital, Attention: Kidney Dialysis, 640 S. State St., Dover, DE 19901.
Benham, Derek Michael
Derek Michael Benham of San Diego, CA died suddenly of an aortic dissection on Sunday, February 28, 2010.
Derek was born on June 29, 1980 in Milford Delaware to Mary Elisabeth and Stephen Michael Benham.
Derek attended Caesar Rodney High School in Camden, Delaware, graduating in 1998. While attending CRHS, Derek was active in the band, chorus and drama club. He was also a member of the 1998 State Champion Texaco Challenge Team. At graduation, Derek received an "All School Letter" award. After graduating HS, Derek worked at Burris Foods and Dover Downs before relocating to San Diego California in 2003. After relocation, Derek attended UCSD in San Diego, and graduated in 2009 with a Bachelor of Science Degree, majoring in Molecular Biology. While attending college in San Diego, Derek worked at Best Buy and remained employed with Best Buy on a part-time basis until the time of his death. After graduating from UCSD, Derek was employed by the FQubed Company, as a bio-med technician, for the past year.
Derek was a well-rounded person who enjoyed every aspect of life. He cherished time spent with his family and friends, and he also enjoyed traveling. Derek was an avid reader, he was a loyal Green Bay Packers fan, and he liked to play golf, and listen to various types of music. One of his favorite TV shows was Jeopardy. He got a real kick out of the Maury Povich show.
He was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents Robert M. and Joan Benham, and his maternal grandmother Mary F. Coppage.
Derek is survived by his parents, Stephen M. Benham and Mary E. Benham, who reside in Camden, DE. Also survived by his maternal grandfather, Howard Hurd of Louisana and a host of family and friends throughout the United States. Among these are; April Baldrich of San Diego, CA (formerly of Delaware) lifelong friend/"sister", Teresa Johns and family of Milan, Indiana, Marcia Wetzel and family of Moores Hill, Indiana and Bonnie and Gary Walstead and family of Georgetown, Delaware.
Service will be 2 pm Sunday, March 7 at Pippin Funeral Home, 119 W. Camden-Wyoming Ave., Wyoming, where friends may gather beginning at 11 am.
Burial will be 11 am Thursday, March 11 at Cravens Cemetery, Milan, Indiana.
The family strongly encourages donations be made in lieu of flowers to the following foundation: National Marfan Foundation, 22 Manhasset Ave., Port Washington, NY 11050.
Destaffany, Joseph James
Joseph James Destaffany, 93, of Dover passed away February 28, 2010 in Kent General Hospital.
He was born on February 28, 1917 in Wilmington, Delaware, son of the late John and Margaret Destaffany.
Joseph served his country proudly in the U.S. Army during WWII.
He later worked for the DuPont Company in Wilmington,
Joseph was an avid deer hunter. He and his wife enjoyed the outdoors.
He is survived by his wife Sophia Destaffany, two daughters Patricia Rogers and her husband Butch of Marshallton, DE and Loretta Colaricci of Miamisburg, OH, a nephew and niece Robert and Virginia Briccotto of Odessa and their children Rob and Barbara, nine grandchildren and 15 great grandchildren.
Service will be 11 am Tuesday, March 2, in the Pippin Funeral Home, 119 W. Camden-Wyoming Ave., Wyoming, where friends may call one hour earlier. Burial will follow in Gracelawn Memorial Park, New Castle.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions to Westminster Village of Dover, 1175 McKee Road, Dover, DE 19904
Cordeiro, John Thomas
John T. Cordeiro, Sr., 79, of Dover went home to be with his Lord Tuesday, Feb. 23, 2010 in Kent General Hospital, Dover.
He was born on November 24, 1930 in Bristol, RI, one of 14 children of the late Joseph and Artemesia (Sousa) Cordeiro.
John served his country proudly in the U.S. Air Force with four years active service and 16 years in the reserve.
He later worked 14 years with DAFB Civil Service for aircraft quality control inspection retiring in 1990.
John enjoyed reading, doing crosswords, his computers and carpentry work. He was known for his great sense of humor.
He was a devoted member of Capitol Baptist Church, VFW, AARP and the Union Masonic Lodge.
John is survived by his wife of 54 years Dorothy M. Cordeiro, five children Kenneth W. Cordeiro and his wife Joyce of Dover, George R. Cordeiro of Magnolia, John T. Cordeiro, Jr. of Magnolia, Michael J. Cordeiro of Dover and Mary Gunter and her husband Jerry of Felton, seven siblings Mary Pendleton of Dover, Arty Medeiros of RI, Teresa Kruger of RI, Dot Cordeiro of RI, Laura Oakes of RI, Lorraine Colouro, of RI and Virginia Cordeiro of CT, nine grandchildren and nine great grandchildren and his devoted canine companion Missy.
Service will be 1 pm Monday at Pippin Funeral Home, 119 W. Camden-Wyoming Ave., Wyoming, where friends may gather two hours earlier. Burial will follow in Odd Fellows Cemetery, Camden.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Capitol Baptist Church, 401 Kesselring Ave., Dover, DE 19904 or Kent County SPCA, 32 Shelter Circle, Camden, DE 19934.
Wright, Nancy E.
Nancy E. Wright, 81, of Dover passed away Saturday, Feb. 20, 2010 in Pinnacle Nursing and Rehab Center, Smyrna.
She was born on September 18, 1928 in Millsboro, Delaware daughter of the late Steven Henry and Sarah Elizabeth (Robinson) Eashum.
Nancy had worked as a telephone operator for Diamond State Telephone and later for Bay Shore Communications.
Besides her parents, she is preceded in death by her daughter Kathy Carla King on March 31, 2009.
She is survived by two sons Bruce King and his wife Cathy of Lewes, and David Wright of Norristown, PA, a sister Patricia Carpenter of Newark and four grandchildren.
Burial will be private in Odd Fellows Cemetery, Camden.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to Kent County SPCA, 32 Shelter Circle, Camden, DE 19934.
