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Bertha N. Lee,
retired Bell employee
Bertha N. Lee, 98, of Milford died Saturday, March 4, 2006, in Milford Center Nursing Home.
Mrs. Lee was born April 9, 1907, in Overbrook, daughter of the late Edward and Bessie Donovan Millman.
She was employed by Bell Telephone Co. in Philadelphia in the late 1930s. She was a member of the Landsdowne Chapter 441 order of the Eastern Star in Landsdowne, Pa., for 43 years. She also was a member of Harrington Baptist Church and the Harrington Senior Center.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband of 58 years, James E. Lee Jr.; two sons, James E. Lee III and Paul A. Lee; eight brothers, Howard E. Millman and Preston E. Millman, both of Lewes, and Richard Millman, Harold C. Millman, Roland P. Millman, Fred A. Millman, James M. Millman and Henry B. Millman, all of Milton; and a sister, Frances M. Hitchens of Milton.
She is survived by two sisters, Elizabeth Wilkerson and Sarah J. Tracey, both of Milton; three brothers, Jesse M. Millman and Everett L. Millman, both of Milton, and Robert P. Millman of Milford; two sons, Richard A. Lee of Milford and Robert J. Lee Sr., of Seaford; eight grandchildren, James W. Lee, Larry P. Lee, Richard J. Lee, Robert J. Lee Jr., David A. Lee, Brenda N. Lee, Duane Schmidt and Susan Schmidt; and 18 great-grandchildren.
Services will be noon, Thursda March 9, in the chapel of Berry-Short Funeral Home, 119 N.W. Front St., Milford, where friends may call one hour earlier.
The family suggests memorial contributions to White’s Chapel United Methodist Church, c/o Shirley Millman, 16753 Coastal Highway, Lewes, DE 19958; or Harrington Baptist Church, 111 E. Liberty St., Harrington, DE 19952.
Nancy E. Zerr,
Grotto Pizza accountant
Nancy E. Zerr, 67, of Millsboro, formerly of Reading, Pa., passed away peacefully Sunday, March 5, 2006, at Beebe Medical Center, Lewes. Nancy was born Aug. 19, 1938, in Reading to the late Ralph and Esther Hulsizer. She was an accountant for Grotto Pizza in Long Neck.
She is survived by a daughter, Karla K. Mengel of Birdsboro, Pa.; grandson, Richard Mengel III; and a brother, Richard Hulsizer.
A viewing will be from 4 to 6 p.m., Thursday, March 9, at Melson Funeral Services, Long Neck Road. A graveside service will be at 3 p.m., Friday, March 10, at Forest Hills Memorial Park, 391 West Neversink Road, Reading.
The family suggests contributions to the American Cancer Society, Sussex Unit, P.O. Box 163, Salisbury, MD 21805.03/03/06
Margaret B. Andrews
retired bookkeeper
Margaret B. Andrews, 79, of Lewes, formerly of Baltimore, Md., passed away Monday, Feb. 27, 2006, in her home.
Mrs. Andrews was born in Johnstown, Pa., daughter of the late Forest and Catherine Byroade.
She lived in Baltimore for many years before moving to Lewes 17 years ago. Before retiring several years ago, she was a bookkeeper for 20 years with the George Transfer Trucking Co. She enjoyed traveling.
Mrs. Andrews was very active in the Cape Henlopen Elks Lodge.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Joseph Wilson Andrews; a sister, Elaine Maxwell; and a brother, Dennis Byroade.
She is survived by two sisters, Nancy Hyde and Joann Mai, both of Maryland; a brother, Forest Byroade of Maryland; and several nieces and nephews.
Elk’s Honor services were held in the chapel of Short Funeral Services, Milton. A private burial will be in Arlington National cemetery.
The family suggests memorial contributions to Delaware Hospice, 600 DuPont Highway, Georgetown, DE 19947; or Cape Henlopen Elks Lodge 2540, PO Box 68, Nassau, DE 19969.
Sally J. Reed,
native of Magnolia
Sally Jarrell Reed, 87, of Millsboro, died Monday, Feb. 27, 2006, at Green Valley Terrace Nursing Home in Millsboro.
Mrs. Reed was born in Magnolia, daughter of the late Harry and Elsie Blood Jarrell.
She moved to Wilmington in 1936 after her marriage, where she was employed at the Wilmington Club for 38 years, retiring in 1983 as dining room manager. She was a wonderful cook, and will always be remembered at the Wilmington Club for her favorite fruit cakes, lemon squares, chocolate chip cookies and macaroons.
Mrs. Reed opened her beach cottage in Bethany Beach in 1955.
In addition to her parents, Mrs. Reed was pre-deceased by her husband of 63 years, Thomas Reed, in 1998, and four siblings Gertrude, Emma, Ralph and William.
She is survived by her daughter, Rose Ann Reed of Bethany Beach; a granddaughter Karyn Keay-Otte and her husband Patrick of Akron, Ohio; two brothers, Winver Jarrell and his wife Mary of Lewes, and Harry Jarrell and his wife Grace of Venice, Fla.; two sisters, Mary Ann Lambertson and her husband Saxton of Dover, and Pauline Monismith of Dover; and a brother-in-law, the Rev. Newell Reed and his wife Elizabeth of Dover.
Funeral services will be held Friday March 3, at 2 p.m., at Parsell Funeral Homes & Crematorium, Atkins-Lodge Chapel, 16961 Kings Highway, Lewes, where friends may call one hour prior to services.
Pastor Charlie Arnold will officiate. Interment will be Saturday, March 4, at 11 a.m., at Barratts Chapel cemetery
in Frederica.
Memorial contributions are suggested to either Delaware Hospice Southern Division, 600 N. Dupont Highway, Georgetown, DE 19947; the American Diabetes Foundation, Community Service Building, 100 W. 10th St. Suite 102, Wilmington, DE 19801; or Alzheimers Association, Delaware Chapter, 2306 Kirkwood Highway, Wilmington, DE 19805.
Valerie Reti Jacoby,
biology teacher
Valerie Csoboth Reti Jacoby, 67, of Wilmington, passed away Sunday, Feb. 26, 2006, at her daughter’s home in Collegeville.
She was the wife of George W. Jacoby of Wilmington, with whom she shared 14 years of marriage.
Born in Bucharest, Rumania, and raised in Szombathely, Hungary, she was the daughter of the late Karoly and Irene Solymossy Csoboth.
She graduated from Kanizsai Dorottya Leanygimnazium in Hungary. After coming to this country, she earned a bachelor’s degree in secondary education in biology from West Chester State Teachers College in 1963.
She was a Downingtown High School biology teacher for 28 years before retiring in 1996.
She attended services at Evangelical Presbyterian Church of Newark, and New Covenant Presbyterian Church of Rehoboth. She was a member of the national organization WIC (Women in Church) and a member of P.S.E.A. She loved traveling and going back home to Hungary each year. She enjoyed classical music.
In addition to her husband, George, Valerie is survived by two daughters, Valerie M. Smith of Collegeville and Diane E. Wilkinson of Downingtown; a brother, Charles Csoboth Jr. of Wilmington; and two granddaughters, Christine and Kelly Wilkinson. She was predeceased by her first husband, Gabor S. Reti and a brother, Frank Csoboth.
A funeral service was held at the James J. Terry Funeral Home, 736 E. Lancaster Ave., Downingtown. Interment was in Valley Forge Memorial Gardens, King of Prussia.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, 5005 LBJ Freeway - Suite 250, Dallas, TX 75244, www.komen.org/contacts.aspx.
Ethel Meyer Finley,
World War II pilot
Ethel Meyer Finley, 85, of Rehoboth Beach, died Friday, Feb. 24, 2006, at the home of her daughter in Forked River, N.J.
Mrs. Finley, who was born in Lake City, Minn., lived on a farm near there until graduating from high school in 1937., She earned a bachelor’s degree in science, mathematics and physical education from Winona State Teachers College and she was the first woman at the school to participate in the Civilian Pilot Training Program with the renowned aviator Max Conrad. She taught school for a year before she learned she could not earn a living and have enough left to fly planes so she went to work operating the Link trainer at the airport n exchange for flying time.
In March 1943, she entered the Army as a member of the Women’s Airforce Service Pilots (WASPS). She was one of about 1,000 women who were the first to serve as United States military aviators. She trained military pilots, logging more than 1,000 hours of flying before the WASPS were disbanded in Dec. 1944.
While in the Army, she met James A. Finley Jr. from Media, Pa. and Odessa and they were married in Dec. 1944.
She left aviation to raise a family, living in West Virginia and Pennsylvania before settling in Summit, N.J., in 1952. They lived there for 30 years and she became active in women’s affairs by starting halfway houses for women recovering from substance abuse.
After moving to Rehoboth Beach, Mrs. Finley again became active with the WASP organization. She served a variety of positions and continued to travel to national air shows and events throughout the country, telling the story of the women aviators and encouraging young women to follow their dreams. She was president of the organization from 1992 to 1994 during which time Congress granted the women veteran status.
She received the Delaware Trailblazer Award in 1995 and was named to the Delaware Aviation Hall of Fame in 2001. She was a member of the Wright Flight Youth Program Board of Directors in Tucson, Ariz. and served on the Dover Air Mobility Museum Foundation Board. For seven years, through 2005, she organized the WASP activities at the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) Fly-In in OshKosh, Wisc. and the national Sun and Fun Air Show in Lakeland, Fla.
In Delaware, Mrs. Finley remained active in women’s affairs, serving on the Delaware Commission for Women and helping to establish Tau House and Houston Hall in Georgetown.
She is survived by her sister, Ione Olson of Minnesota; and her children, Janet Finley of Steamboat Springs, Co., Michael J. Finley of Odessa and Joanne Marine of Forked River, N.J. She had four grandchildren; and two great-granddaughters.
Services will be held at 11 a.m., Friday, March 3, at St. Edmond’s Catholic Church, Laurel Street and King Charles Avenue, Rehoboth Beach, wqi6th a reception to follow at the house. Burial will be in Old Drawyers cemetery , Odessa.
The family suggests contributions to the WASP Endowment Fund, Texas Women’s University, P.O. Box 425528, Denton, Texas 76204 or The Shrine of St. Joseph, 1050 Long Hill Road, Stirling, N.J. 07980.
Frank S. Bennett Sr.,
professional tower
Frank Swainey Bennett Sr., 78, passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2006 at home following a brief illness.
He was born Jan. 7, 1928 to the late J. Swainey and Marie S. Bennett. Frank currently owned and operated J.S. Bennett & Son Inc., which was established in 1933, providing 24-hour wrecker service and also truck rentals and leasing. He was previously a local farmer and poultry producer. He retired from Cargill Inc., in 1987 as fleet transportation manager.
Frank was a founding member of Southern Delaware Towing Association and honorary member of Millville Fire Company. Frank served as councilman and mayor for the town of Millville in the sixties. He was a member of the Doric Masonic Lodge of Millville, the Tall Cedars of Lebanon and was a 32 Degree member of the Delaware Consistory in Wilmington. Frank was dearly loved and will be sorely missed by his family and friends.
In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his granddaughter Ashley Baker.
He is survived by his loving wife of 44 years Elva F. Bennett; two sons, Frank S. Bennett Jr. and wife Dorothy, and Franklin S. Bennett and wife Diane; two daughters, Brenda Hodgeman and husband Daniel and Suzette Powell and husband Rexford; two sisters, Betty Evans and husband John, and Gloria McCabe and husband Ronald; a brother-in-law, Charles E. Lindale; nine grandchildren; nine great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.
A funeral service will be held Friday, March 3, at 1 p.m. at St. George’s United Methodist Church, Rt. 26, in Clarksville where friends may call after 11 a.m. Interment will be in the adjoining church cemetery.
The family suggests memorial contributions in Frank’s name to Delaware Hospice, 20167 Office Circle, Georgetown, DE 19947; Millville Vol. Fire Co., P.O. Box 64, Millville, DE 19967 or St. George’s Church, Rt. 2 Box F, Clarksville, DE 19970.
Arrangements by Melson Funeral Services of Frankford.
Rayburn H. Nelson,
decorated WWII veteran
Rayburn H. Nelson, 86, of Rehoboth Beach, and formerly of Bethesda, Md., passed away on Saturday, April 22, at his home surrounded by his beloved wife and best friend Madeline, and four cherished daughters; Sally Jozwiak and her husband Richard of Lewes, Jean Nelson of Falls Church, Va., Mary Anne Elia-Buttrick and her husband John of Phoenix, Ariz. and Susan Nelson and her husband Walt Witkowski of Glendale, Calif.
Born in Powers Lake, N.D., to Ole and Inga (Anderson) Nelson, he grew up in Lake Wales, Fla. Mr. Nelson, a World War II veteran (1937-1958) in the 1st and 3rd Marine Divisions, served primarily in the South Pacific where he received three battle stars and one Purple Heart. He was part of the Bikini Marine Detachment, Operation Crossroad, Task Force One, Bikini Atoll.
Mr. Nelson was a long-standing active member of the Rehoboth Beach Lions Club, Elks Club, American Legion, Beebe Hospital Auxiliary, and Veteran’s of Foreign Wars, and took great satisfaction in supporting the American Cancer Society. He enjoyed his 25-year retirement sharing jokes with friends over coffee and completing his building projects at home. All he did for 58 years was in full partnership and love with his Madeline.
After retirement from the Marine Corps, Mr. Nelson worked for the U.S. Postal Service in Washington, D.C. as a postal equipment technician until his retirement in l970. From 1970-1981, he was self-employed.
His brothers, Edwin and David Nelson, Lake Wales, Fla., and sister, Norma Hanson, Grand Rapids, MN, predeceased him.
He leaves four adored grandchildren; John Jozwiak and Heather Keane, Frederick, Md.; Logan and Max Elia, Phoenix, Ariz.; and six dearly-loved great grandchildren of Frederick; and many nieces, nephews and good friends.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m., Friday, April 28, in St. Edmonds Catholic Church, King Charles & Laurel Streets, Rehoboth Beach. Burial to follow at Delaware Veteran’s Memorial cemetery , Patriots Way, Millsboro.
Contributions may be made to Tunnell Cancer Center, 424 Savannah Road, Lewes, DE l9958, in memory of Rayburn H. Nelson, or to the charity of your choice.
Stanley F. Stajkowski Sr.,
decorated WWII veteran
Mr. Stanley F. “Stack” Stajkowski Sr., 84, of New Castle, died Sunday, April 23, 2006, at the Veterans Administration Medical Center in Wilmington.
Mr. Stajkowski was born in Wilmington October 8, 1921, son of the late Stanley Stajkowski and Stella Swiderski Stajkowski.
A U.S. Army Air Corps veteran of World War II, he was trained as a radio operator, gunner and airplane armorer. In 1943, Mr. Stajkowski was serving on the flight crew of a heavy bomber during a mission over Japanese-held Tarawa when his aircraft was shot down over the Pacific Ocean.
The only survivor of 10 crew members, he was seriously wounded and drifted for four days and three nights in a life raft before he was rescued. Mr. Stajkowski was awarded the Purple Heart for injuries received in service of his country.
A pipe fitter by profession, Mr. Stajkowski was employed with the DuPont Company for 25 years, retiring from the Chambers Works site in Deepwater, N.J.
He later accepted a position as a pipe fitter with the Chrysler Corporation in Newark, where he was employed for more than 10 years.
A devout Catholic, Mr. Stajkowski was a member of St. Peter the Apostle parish in New Castle. He was an avid hunter and sportsman and looked forward to his annual big game hunt in Canada.
He also greatly enjoyed fishing, golf, gardening, camping and beach vacations.
Mr. Stajkowski will be lovingly remembered above all else as a devoted family man, who delighted in nothing so much as spending time with his beloved children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.
His wife, Sophie O. Cerkownuk Stajkowski, died in 1978. He was also preceded in death by a brother, Paul Stajkowski; and two sisters, Aurelia Wisniewski and Wanda “Vi” Sansone.
He is survived by eight children, Patricia Atallian of Apopka, Fla., Susan Huff of Lewes, Stanley Stajkowski Jr. of Katy, Texas, Steven Stajkowski of New Castle, Thomas Stajkowski of Milford, Conn., Martin Stajkowski of New Castle, Robert Stajkowski, with whom he lived, and Judith Dierkes of Middletown; three siblings, Leon Stajkowski, Helen Campbell and Jenny Chmiel, all of Wilmington; 15 grandchildren; and 12 great-grandchildren.
Friends may call 9 -10 a.m., Friday, April 28, at the Spicer-Mullikan Funeral Home, 1000 N. Dupont Parkway, New Castle. A Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 10:30 a.m. at St. Peter the Apostle Catholic Church, Fifth and Harmony streets, New Castle. Interment will be in All Saints cemetery , 6001 Kirkwood Highway, Wilmington.
The family suggests contributions to Disabled American Veterans, PO Box 14301, Cincinnati, OH 45250-0301.
Charlotte Ann Lucas
devoted to family
Charlotte Ann Lucas of Williamsburg, Va., formerly of Lewes, died Monday, April 24, 2006, in Williamsburg Community Hospital, Williamsburg.
Mrs. Lucas was born in Lewes, daughter of the late Walter and Edna Morris.
She attended William Jason High School and Delaware State College.
Mrs. Lucas was devoted to her home and family and was affectionately known as “Granny Ann.”
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a brother, Walter Roland Morris.
She is survived by her husband of 43 years, Leroy Lucas; a son and daughter-in-law, Kevin and Quincy Lucas of Dover; three grandchildren, Malcolm Lucas, Victoria Lucas and Benjamin Lucas, all of Dover; a sister and brother-in-law, Ethelda and John R. Burton of Lewes; a mother-in-law, Jesse Lucas of Richmond; five sisters-in-law; a brother-in-law; and a host of nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.
Services will be 5 p.m., Friday, April 28, in the Lucas residence, 4066 Midlands Road, Williamsburg, for family and close friends.
Arrangements by Carter Funeral Home, Newport News. Local arrangements by Miller Funeral Services, Lewes.
