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F. Stephenson “Steve” Matthes,
prominent educator
F. Stephenson “Steve” Matthes, 68, of Frankford, died Tuesday, July 27, while vacationing in Maine.
Mr. Matthes was born on August 12, 1935 in Long Branch, N.J. He was a 1953 graduate of Long Branch High School, and also attended the Peddie School in Highstown, N.J. He graduated from the University of Delaware in 1958 with a bachelor’s degree in education, and was a proud member of the fighting Blue Hens football team and the Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity. He received his masters in education and administration in 1970.
Mr. Matthes was a dedicated educator who taught math and special education for the former Stanton School District in New Castle County, until 1976. Mr. Matthes then served as an elementary school principal at the Lulu M. Ross School in Milford and the H.O. Brittingham School in Milton, and was acting superintendent of Cape Henlopen School District for one year. He was the current principal of Bennett Middle School in Salisbury, Md., a position he held for the last 15 years.
Mr. Matthes enjoyed the outdoors, was an avid sports fan and enthusiastic coach for numerous youth sports teams including baseball, basketball, and swimming. Most of all, he was devoted to his family. He will be fondly remembered for this life long influence on his students and fellow educators.
Mr. Matthes is survived by his mother, Cora Parker of Salisbury, Md; his wife, Mary Margaret; sons, F. Christopher of Bethesda, Md., and F. Stephenson of Harrisburg, Pa.; daughters, Jennifer T. Funk of Wilmington, Jessica L. Matthes of San Diego, Calif.; and five grandchildren. He is also survived by brothers Donald Matthes of New Mexico and Barry Parker of New Jersey.
A mass of Christian burial will held at St. Ann’s Catholic Church, Garfield Parkway in Bethany Beach, with burial in Gate of Heaven cemetery , Dagsboro.
Arrangements by Parsell Funeral Homes & Crematorium.
Gertrude W. Seegar,
avid gardener
Gertrude W. Seegar, 92, of Lewes, died Thursday, July 29, 2004, at her daughter’s residence in Lewes.
Mrs. Seegar was born in Jersey City, N.J., daughter of the late Olga (Roesch) and August Hitzel.
She was a member of Eagles Nest Fellowship Church in Milton. She was an excellent cook, gardener and homemaker, and was very devoted to her family. She also enjoyed making beaded flowers.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Carl Seeger, in 1991.
She is survived by her daughter Beverly Stadler, with whom she resided; a son, Norman Seegar and his wife Joann of Saddle Brook, N.J.; and four grandchildren, Jason and Andrea Stadler; Deborah Ann Seegar; and Jennifer Harcher and her husband Keith.
Services were held at Eagles Nest Fellowship Church, Milton, with burial in George Washington Memorial Park in Paramus, N.J.
Contributions are suggested to Delaware Hospice Southern Division, Suite 107, 600 N. DuPont Highway, Georgetown, DE 19947. Arraignments by Parsell Funeral Homes & Crematorium, Atkins-Lodge Chapel, Lewes
John M. LeCato,
merchant mariner
John M. LeCato, 87, of Charleston, S.C., died Tuesday, July 27, 2004, at home.
Capt. LeCato was born May 13, 1917 in Huntington, W.Va. He was the son of the late John Marvin LeCato and Esther Tubbs LeCato. He was a graduate of Rehoboth High School, Rehoboth Beach, and attended the Naval Academy. He was a merchant mariner and a veteran of World War II, Korea and Vietnam. He was a member of the National Railway Historical Society and the Military Sealift Command Retiree Association of the United States.
He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Maurine Trent LeCato; and his niece, Krista Scudlark of Milton.
Services and burial were private.
Contributions are suggested to Project Liberty Ship John W. Brown, P.O. Box 25846, Highlandtown Station, Baltimore, MD 21224-0546 or to the National Railway Historical Society, P.O. Box 58547, Philadelphia PA 19102.
Mozzellar C. White,
retired from Townsend’s
Mozzellar C. White, 83, of Bridgeville, died Wednesday, July 21, 2004, in Seaford Genesis Health Care Center.
Mrs. White was born June 15, 1921 in Northampton, N.C., the daughter of the late Mack and Fannie Bell Clemons.
She retired from Townsend Poultry Plant in Millsboro.
She was a faithful member of Mount Olive Baptist Church in Bridgeville and a member of Mount Olive Mother of the Church Special. She also did charity work.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Stanford White; three sons, Troy Matthews, Mack Matthews and James Clark Jr.; and two daughters, Mozell Matthews and Pearl Holmes.
She is survived by four sons, Lee Clemons of Jackson, N.C., Temecorie Matthews of Georgetown and Redell Matthews and Andrew Matthews, both of Bridgeville; three daughters, Barbara Boone of Harbor Healthcare in Lewes, Pattie Matthews of Bridgeville and Violet Broughton of Seaford; 41 grandchildren; 54 great-grandchildren; and 23 great-great-grandchildren; two sisters; and a host of other relatives and friends.
Services were held at Mount Olive Baptist Church in Bridgeville, with burial in Mount Calvary cemetery , Bridgeville.
Courtland J. Riggins,
retired waterman
Courtland J. Riggins, 79, of Harbeson, passed peacefully Monday, Aug. 2, 2004, at home.
He was raised in Hoopers Island, Md., the son of the late John Riggins and Jeanette Craighton Riggins. He served in the U.S. Navy in 1945 then lived in Cambridge, Md. prior to moving to the Lewes area 15-20 years ago. He loved his family dearly and devoted most of his life caring for his mother.
He was a member of the Moose Lodge 646 and the American Legion Post 17, both of Lewes. He was a jack-of-all-trades having worked as an oysterman and a crabber at Hoopers Island and Cambridge, Md., as well as a mechanic, carpenter and painter. He was most generous, compassionate, non materialistic, honest and sincere, always finding the good in everyone and had a joyous laugh. He would help anyone: friends, family or strangers. He was loved by all who knew him and was considered a special gift from God. When asked about the weather, he replied in the island lingo as “DISH ALL CAM TODAY” which means it will be a very calm day today!
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister, Berlie E. West by one month; and a nephew, Gordon T. West
He is survived by his niece, Jeanette Dougan of Harbeson and her daughter, Kim Ksebe; three nephew, John A. West and wife Sandy of Milton; Frank G. West of Wilmington and William West of Georgetown; four cousins, Beuna Mae Newcomb, Ruth Newcomb and Teddy Polite, all of Lewes, and Michael Harmon and wife Amy of Harbeson; and his cousin’s children, who were like grandchildren to him, as well as his many dear friends of the Lewes and Cambridge area.
A celebration of life will be held for friends and family Sunday, August 8, at 4 p.m., at the residence of Jeanette Dougan, 20053 Doddtown Road, Harbeson. Memorial contributions can be made to Compassionate Care Hospice, 201-B West DuPont Highway, Millsboro, DE 19966.
Arrangements by Parsell Funeral Homes & Crematorium, Atkins-Lodge Chapel, Lewes.
Horace ‘Buddy Wells Jr.,
retired Merchant Marine
Horace “Buddy” Wells Jr., 59, of Millsboro, died Monday, Aug. 2, 2004, at home.
Mr. Wells was born in Lewes and retired after more than 26 years with Sun Oil-Sun Transport Co. in the Merchant Marines. He also worked for nine years at Bethany Bay Golf Course. He was a NASCAR fan but most of all loved camping with friends and his kids and was a loving father.
Mr. Wells was an especially active Mason, belonging to The Grand Lodge A.F. and A.M. of Delaware, Lodge 37 in Dagsboro, where he was a past master, the Doric Lodge 30 in Millville; the Tall Cedars of Lebanon Delmarva Forest 201 and the Frankford Chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star 12.
He was also active in the Moose International and the Elks Lodge 2173 in Selbyville and a charter member of Moose Lodge 646 in Lewes.
He is survived by his wife of 33 years, Sandy d. Wells of Millsboro; a son and daughter-in-law, Michael L. and Kendra Wells of Millsboro; two daughters and a son-in-law, Dana Lynn Wells and Michele L. and Douglas Vickers, all of Millsboro; two sisters and two brothers-in-law, Margaret and Richard Denis of Bishopville,k Md. and Etta and Bert Ritter of Lewes; his special uncle with whom he lived, Charles West; and five grandchildren.
Friends may call from 7 to 9 p.m., Friday, Aug. 6, at Watson Funeral Home, 211 Washington St., Millsboro. Services will be noon, Saturday, Aug. 7, at the funeral home, where friends may also call at 11 a.m.
The Rev. James Carmean will officiate. Burial will be in Millsboro cemetery.
Contributions are suggested to Delaware Hospice, Southern Division, 600 DuPont Hwy., Georgetown DE 19947.
Dorothy E. Freischmidt,
Milton homemaker
Dorothy E. Freischmidt, 80, of Milton, died Wednesday, Aug. 4, 2004, at home.
Mrs. Freischmidt was born in Philadelphia to the late Charles Sr. and Charlotte Ellis Honer. She was a homemaker who enjoyed spending time with her family and being outdoors gardening. She served in the Women’s Army Corps (WAC) during World War II and was discharged at a Tech 5 in the Hospital Company.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Albert Freischmidt Sr., in 1985.
She is survived by a son, Albert C. Jr. and wife Helen of Milton; a daughter, Patricia Chapman and her husband Steve of Stratford, N.J.; six grandchildren, Debby Gervasi, Kathi Chapman, Karen Chapman, Barbara Chapman, Frank R. Clement and Stephen R. Clement; seven great-grandchildren; four brothers, Charles Honer Jr. of Gettysburg, Pa., Albert Honer of West Chester, Pa., William Honer of Weber City, Va. and David Honer of Atlanta, Ga.; and two sisters, Charlotte Brown of Wichita, Ks. and Virginia Wittler of Lorraine, Ill.
Services will be held at 11 a.m., Friday, Aug. 6, at Short Funeral Services, 416 Federal St., Milton, where friends may call at 10 a.m. Burial will be in Henlopen Memorial Park, Milton.
Grace E. Dill,
retired seamstress
Grace E. Dill, 86, of Greenwood, died Tuesday, Aug. 3, 2004, at home.
Mrs. Dill was a seamstress for Milford Stitching Co. for many years. She was a loving wife, mother and grandmother who loved taking care of her family, sewing, cooking and making quilts.
She enjoyed making wreaths for the holidays and taking her crafts to Spence’s Bazaar to sell. She was a member of Bloomsburg Methodist Church.
She was preceded in death by two sons, John Hamilton and Donald P. Hamilton, who died serving his country in Vietnam; three brothers, Oram Griffin, Russell Griffin and Harry Griffin; and a sister, Blanche Pallard.
She is survived by her husband of 46 years, Robert P. Dill; two sons, James H. Hamilton Jr. of Felton and Leon Hamilton of Lincoln; three daughters, Doris Shane of Smyrna, Virginia Wasson of Lewes and Pearl Fisher of Felton; a brother, Alex Griffin Jr. of Frederica; a sister, Mary King of Bridgeville; 15 grandchildren; 22 great-grandchildren; six great-great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.
Services will be held at 1 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 7, at Melvin Funeral Home, 15522 South DuPont Hwy., Harrington, where friends may call at noon. The Rev. William Sammons will officiate. Burial will be in Hollywood cemetery.
Irene S. Mitchell,
enjoyed gardening
Irene S. Mitchell, 86, of Milford, died Monday, Aug. 2, 2004, at home.
Mrs. Mitchell was a lifelong resident of Milford and enjoyed gardening and spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Dale Mitchell; her parents, Roy and Fannie Campbell Sherman; a brother, George Preston Sherman; and a stepdaughter, Joyce Vincent.
She is survived by a son, John “Jack” Finnefrock of Milford; two stepdaughters, Joan Mitchell and Diane Stayton, both of Milford; three brothers, Edwin Sherman and Howard Sherman, both of Milton and James Sherman of Ocala, Fla.; a sister, Isabel Spurges of Ocala; a granddaughter, Christine Calhoun of Wyoming; a great-granddaughter, Ashley of Wyoming; a great-grandson, John Calhoun of Felton; 12 stepgrandchildren; 18 step-great-grandchldren; and three stepgreat-great-grandchildren.
Services will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday, Aug. 7, at Berry-Short Funeral Home, 119 N. Front St., Milford, where friends may call at 10 a.m. Burial will be in Milford Community cemetery.
Contributions are suggested to Compassionate Care Hospice, 5610 Kirkwood Hwy., Wilmington DE 19801.
Mildred ‘Millie” Nichols,
arbitration board member
Mildred “Millie” Nichols, 93, of Milton, died Monday, Aug. 2, 2004, of natural causes at her residence.
Mildred was born on April 6, 1911, daughter of the late Cornelius VanNess and Theodora Mary (Peters) VanNess of Grand Rapids, Michigan. Millie had resided in the West Patterson-Haledon, N.J. area and had worked there in the Textile Industry, retiring in 1976. During this time she was the first woman appointed to the Board of Arbitration in New York City. Millie was known for a great sense of humor, her energetic personality, love of sports, dancing and dining out, and her enjoyment of life with her many friends. She found great enjoyment at the senior centers both here in New Jersey.
She is survived by a sister, Alice Marie Leonard; a grandson, Walter Drake Nichols, with whom she resided in Milton; two granddaughters, Lorraine Metakes and Patricia Leedy, both of Port Orange, Fla.; a niece Dorothy Sisco; and eight great-grandchildren, Jillian and Chelsea Nichols, Alexis and Nicholas Metakes, and Mark, Kelley, Katie and Eric Leedy. She was pre-deceased by her son Walter J. Nichols in 1981.
Memorial services will be held at St. Jude the Apostle Catholic Church, Route 1 and Five Points, Lewes Wednesday Aug. 11, at 11a.m., with Father Jim Hreha officiating. Donations may be made to the St. Jude’s Building Fund, 152 Tulip Drive, Lewes, DE 19958.
Arrangements are being handled by Parsell Funeral Homes & Crematorium, Atkins-Lodge Chapel, 1449 Kings Highway, Lewes. Interment will be at private.
Ruth V. Evans
hospital volunteer
Ruth V. Evans, 86, of Lewes, died Friday, July 30, 2004, in Washington Hospital Center, Washington, D.C.
Mrs. Evans was a member of Lewes Presbyterian Church and a volunteer with Hospital Auxiliary Gift Shop at Beebe Medical Center, Lewes.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Dewitt F. Evans.
She is survived by her sister-in-law, Mary Sutherland; a cousin, Jeanne Grimaldi; and a niece, Susan Kelly.
Services were held at Lewes Presbyterian Church, with burial in Mariner’s Bethel cemetery , Ocean View.
Arrangements by Melson Funeral Services, Long Neck.
