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Robert Ford Hamilton
Age 64, departed this life on July 3, 2009. Funeral services and burial will be private.
William J. Heffernan
Age 63, of Ocean View, DE, and formerly of Wilmington, DE, passed away Friday, July 17, 2009, in the St. Francis Select Specialty Hospital
He was the husband of Bernadette Poswinski Heffernan and son of the late William J. and Mary Heffernan, Sr. Bill was a Vietnam Veteran and had been a Communications Tech at the Wilmington and Dover offices of ATT, retiring in 1999.
Besides his father, he was predeceased by his mother, Mary Sorrentino and step father, Joseph Sorrentino.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered 11 am, on Wednesday, July 22, in St. Hedwig Catholic Church, where relatives and friends may call at 10 am. Burial will be in Delaware Veterans Cemetery, Millsboro, DE.
In lieu of flowers, it is suggested to send memorial contributions to the St. Vincent DePaul Society, c/o St. Hedwig Church, 408 S. Harrison St., Wilmington, DE 19805.
Arrangements by JOHN F. YASIK FUNERAL HOME
Ernest O. Lundgren,
Jr. ("Ernie")
Ernest O. Lundgren, Jr., age 91, passed away peacefully on July 16, 2009, after a long illness.
Ernie was a lifelong Wilmingtonian, the eldest son of first-generation Americans who emigrated from Sweden. A member of the first graduating class of P.S. duPont High School in 1935, Ernie worked in retail and as an appliance mechanic until enlisting in the Army in April 1941. After reading a bulletin board notice advertising the new Army Air Corps while at Gunnery School in Laredo, Texas, he signed up and attended Bombardier School in Childress, Texas, prior to being stationed at Great Ashfield, England. His flying career was short-lived, however, as a month later he was forced to parachute from his B-17 over Germany and captured; he was initially mistaken for actor James Stewart, who was also flying in the European Theater at that time. Ernie was a prisoner of war for the next year before being released in the spring of 1945. In recognition of his service to the nation, Ernie received the Purple Heart, an Air Medal, Prisoner of War Medal, American Defense Service Medal with Bronze Star Device, European-African-Middle Eastern Theater Campaign Ribbon, and the World War Two Victory Medal with Bronze Star Device. Upon returning to the United States, Ernie attended Drexel University on the G.I. Bill and studied architecture. As an architect with Whiteside, Moeckel, and Carbonell, the State of Delaware, and DPM National Consulting, Ernie designed and collaborated on dozens of public and private projects, including Alfred I. duPont School District buildings and the University of Delaware's Smith Building. A longtime member of Aldersgate United Methodist Church, he was the sole designer of the 1962 expansion of the church sanctuary and social hall. Having discovered a love of theatre and the arts prior to his military service, Ernie began several decades' work for area theatre groups, including The Ardensingers, The Brandywiners, Breck's Mill Cronies, Candlelight Music Theatre, Lyceum Players, Wilmington Drama League, and Wilmington Opera Society/Opera Delaware. When not at his drawing board or a nearby theatre set, Ernie enjoyed traveling throughout the United States and abroad and enjoyed sailing in Rehoboth Bay and Chesapeake Bay.
Ernie is survived by his brother Carl and sister-in-law JoAnn of Newtown, PA. He is also survived by his 3 children by his first wife, Jane, who passed away in 1989: daughter, Ruth, of Montreal, Canada; Ernest III and Alice Lundgren of North East, MD; and Robert and Kathy Lundgren of Media, PA. He is also survived by his second wife, Nanette Guy Lundgren, and her children: Anne M. Guy of Chevy Chase, MD, and Jonathan and Susan Guy of Newtown, PA. "Farfar" (a nod to his Swedish heritage) is also survived by grandchildren Ernest Lundgren IV and Robert Lundgren of Newark, DE, and Elizabeth Guy of Newtown, PA, as well as Jane Dunaway of Wilmington and Robert Dunaway of Port Charlotte, FL.
A memorial service will be held at Aldersgate United Methodist Church on Monday, July 27, at 11 am. Burial will be private.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Delaware Hospice or the Aldersgate United Methodist Church Sanctuary Lighting Fund.
Arrangements by CHANDLER FUNERAL HOMES & CREMATORY
Vera E. McGee
Age 94, formally of Blue Rock Manor, Wilmington, DE, passed away peacefully on July 17, 2009, at Windsor Place Assisted Living Home in Hockessin DE.
Vera was born in Baltimore MD the only child of Evelyn Lucia and Angelo Barsanti. She spent many of her early years visiting family in Wilmington where she met and eventually married her husband of 44 years Daniel F. McGee. Vera was instrumental in the founding of St. Mary Magdalen Catholic Church in Wilmington DE. She remained active in the parish into her 80's where she helped the girls in the kitchen prepare weekly lunches for the members of the church's Adult Center. Nona, as her great-grandchildren called her, enjoyed cooking and attending her grandchildren's and great grandchildren's school programs and sporting events.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Dan, of 44 years; her mother and father and her step father, Howard (Chappy) Chapman. Vera is survived by her 2 sons, Daniel R. and his wife Lois of Webster, NY, and Robert H. of Wilmington DE; by 3 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren. Vera will be especially missed by her cousin, Francis (Billie) Orechwo, with whom she traveled extensively.
A visitation will be held on Tuesday, July 21, from 1-2 pm, at CHANDLER FUNERAL HOME, 2506 Concord Pike Wilmington, DE. There will be a short service at 2 pm, at the funeral home with burial following at Grace Episcopal Church Cemetery on the Concord Pike in Wilmington DE.
Stephen A. Parisi, Jr.
Stephen A. Parisi, Jr., 60 of Wilmington, DE, peacefully passed away surrounded by his loving family on Saturday, July 18, 2009.
Mr. Parisi was born in Wilmington on November 29, 1948, son of the late Stephen and Anne (Ciemania) Parisi. He was employed with the DuPont Company in various capacities for 31 years, and was also employed as a computer technologist with St. Elizabeth's High School. Mr. Parisi was a faithful and active member of St. Elizabeth's Parish, where he served as a Eucharistic Minister, a past member of the parish council, a former RCIA director, a former marriage encounter instructor and a past rector for men's retreat weekends. He was an avid computer enthusiast and enjoyed photography, fishing and relaxing at his home in West Beach.
Mr. Parisi will be dearly missed by his wife of 39 years, Monica (Pastuszka) Parisi; his daughters, Amy Devlin and her husband, T.J. and Debi Bender and her husband, Jon; and his beloved grandson and best friend, Ben Devlin. He is also survived by his sister, Victoria Parisi; his brother, Thomas Parisi; and his sisters-in-law, Mary Eustergerling and Erika Schaefer.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Elizabeth's Church, Cedar & Clayton Sts., Wilmington on Tuesday, July 21, at 7 pm. Family and friends may visit at the church prior to the Mass from 5:30 - 6:45 pm. Interment will be held privately.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations in memory of Mr. Parisi to St. Elizabeth's Elementary School Tuition Assistance Program, 1500 Cedar St., Wilmington, DE 19805. DOHERTY FUNERAL HOMES
Doris Hanby Robinson
Age 73, of Marion, NC, died July 19, 2009. Service will be held Tuesday, July 21, 11 am, at Glenwood Baptist Church. Family will receive friends 10-11 am, prior to the service at the church. Westmoreland FH & Crematory.
Rita Sahlit
Age 91, of Wilmington, DE, passed away on July 18, 2009.
She was born in Wilkes-Barre, PA to the late Frank and Helen Ritz. Rita attended Temple University and was a buyer for Strawbridge and Clothier in Philadelphia. She was a member of the Junior Board of Riverside Hospital for over 19 years. She was also a member of the Federation of Women's Clubs in Claymont for twenty-five years and held several offices during this time. She was President of the Pennsylvania National Osteopathic Guild Association and Vice-President of Beta Sigma Phi. Rita was an active volunteer for Meals on Wheels, The Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxiliary and the Cub Scouts. She played organ and sang with the coral group, Grace Notes for many years. She loved music, oil painting, ceramics and coin collecting.
Besides her parents, Rita was predeceased by her siblings, Edward Ritz, Frank Ritz, Helen Davis, Joseph Ritz, Gerald Ritz, John Ritz and Harry Ritz. She is survived by her husband, Norman Sahlit of Wilmington; her brothers, Charles Ritz and his wife Gertrude of Middle River, MD and Ernest Ritz and his wife Joan of Ewing, NJ. Also surviving are many nieces and nephews.
A service will be held on Wednesday, July 22, at 11 am, at the Evangelical Lutheran Church of the Good Sheppard, 1530 Foulk Rd., Wilmington where friends may call after 10 am.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Evangelical Lutheran Church of the Good Sheppard.
Arrangements by MCCRERY FUNERAL HOMES, INC
Caroline B. Skura
Age 90, passed away Friday, July 17, 2009. A service is being scheduled for Thursday, July 23rd and a full obituary will appear in the Tuesday and Wednesday editions of The News Journal. John F. Yasik Funeral Home.
John D. Smolka
Age 66, formerly of Wilmington passed on June 16, 2009 in Stockton, CA. Memorial mass, 10am, Saturday, July 25 at St. John The Beloved Church, 907 Milltown Rd., Wilmington, DE 19808.
Richard Scott Swayne
Age 56, of Landenberg, PA, died peacefully at his home on July 17, 2009, with his family at his side.
He was the devoted husband of Anita Frezzo Swayne, with whom he shared 20 years of marriage and was the beloved father of Michael J. Swayne. Born in Lancaster, PA on December 7, 1952, he was the son of the late George H. and Marian Lee Cater Swayne. Richard was co-owner of Swayne's Inc., a plumbing, heating, and air conditioning business that he started 29 years ago. Richard loved his work and customers dearly. His passions were fishing and riding his motorcycle.
In addition to his wife Anita and son, Michael at home, Richard is survived by 1 brother, George Swayne of West Grove, PA; 2 sisters, Donna Doss of Kelton, PA, and Robin Sydensticker of Lincoln University, PA; 7 nieces, and 2 nephews.
Family and friends may visit with his family from 5:30-9 pm, Wednesday, July 22, at the FOULK AND GRIECO FUNERAL HOME Inc., 200 Rose Hill Road, West Grove, and again on Thursday, July 23, from 9-10 am, at the Church of the Vineyard, 111 Vineyard Way, West Grove, PA. His funeral service will follow at the church at 10 am. Burial will be in Union Hill Cemetery, Kennett Square, PA.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Michael J. Swayne College Fund, C/O First National Bank of Chester County, 741 West Cypress Street, Kennett Square, PA.
Andrew Philip Curran Watkins
Of Lincoln University, PA, died Saturday, July 18, 2009. Service, 11 am, Wednesday, July 22, Sacred Heart Church, 203 Church Rd., Oxford, PA. Visitation, 9:30-10:45 am. Arr by Edward L. Collins FH.
Yvonne L. Watson
Age 70, of New Castle, DE, departed her life on July 15, 2009.
Loving wife to the late Harry Watson. Devoted children, Derek and Deborah Washington, both of Delaware.
Service, Tuesday, July 21, at People Baptist Church, 50 South Street, Hamilton Park, New Castle, DE where family and friends may call from 10 am-12 noon. Interment, Gracelawn Cemetery, New Castle.
Arrangements by BELL FUNERAL HOME
