Obituaries

Francis J. “Tweet” Knauer, 78, of Millsboro, Del., formerly of Baltimore, Md., passed away Thursday, May 29, 2008, at home. He was a retired carpenter with Local 101 in Baltimore, where he was a member for 60 years. He loved to work in the yard.

Knauer was preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Teresa Knauer; a brother, Robert J. Knauer; and two sons, Frances J. Knauer Jr. and Lt. Gerald T. Knauer, a former Baltimore City firefighter. He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Betty Jo Bogle Knauer; a daughter, Elizabeth “Betsy” Hires and her husband, Richard, of Salem, N.J.; a sister, Maryalice Schmidt of Lufton, S.C.; five grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.

Funeral services were scheduled for Saturday, May 31, 2008, with interment privately held. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Compassionate Care Hospice, 31038 Country Garden Blvd., Suite D2, Dagsboro, DE 19939.

Mildred G. (DeNight) Hayes, 86, of Millsboro, Del., formerly of New Castle, Wilmington and Lewes, Del., passed away Sunday, June 1, 2008, at Harrison Senior Living in Georgetown, Del. She retired as a lab technician from the DuPont Experimental Lab. She was a charter member of Calvary Assembly of God Church in Wilmington, where she served in many capacities, including VBS director and Sunday-school teacher.

Hayes was preceded in death by her parents, Howard and Mary (Adel) DeNight; her husband of 54 years, George H. Hayes; and her brother, Woodard H. DeNight. She is survived by her daughters and sons-in-law, Sandra and Frank Hoesch, and Beverly and Joe Cook; a grandson, Donald Cook; her brother and sister-in-law, Howard and Eleanor DeNight; sisters-in-law, Dorothy DeNight and Sarah Garrett.

A service to celebrate her life was scheduled for Thursday, June 5, 2008, with interment in Gracelawn Cemetery, Wilmington.

Elizabeth “Betty” Bennett Evans, 81, of Millville, Del., passed away Saturday, May 31, 2008, in Berlin Nursing & Rehab Center, Berlin, Md., after a short illness. Her passions were her grandson and great-grandsons, needlework and crafting. She was very talented in all kinds of handiwork and was very giving. She also loved to watch and attend, when possible, baseball games. She was a member of the VFW Ladies Auxiliary, past member of the Millville Volunteer Fire Company Ladies Auxiliary and Republican Committee Woman for the 38th District for many years.

Evans was preceded in death by her parents, J. Swainey and Marie Bennett; and a brother, Frank S. Bennett Sr. She is survived by her husband of 59 years, John “Jack” Evans; son and daughter-in-law, Scott and Carol Evans of Dagsboro, Del.; grandson and wife, J.S. and JoAnna Evans of Frankford, Del.; two great-grandsons, John and Joel; a sister and her husband, Gloria and Ronald McCabe; several nieces, nephews and cousins.

A graveside service was scheduled for Thursday, June 5, 2008, with interment in Millville Methodist Cemetery in Millville. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions be made to Seaside Christian Academy, 12637-A Ocean Gateway, Ocean City, MD 21842.

Russell D. Brittingham, 78, of Salisbury, Md., formerly of Selbyville, Del., passed away Friday, May 30, 2008, at home. He was a retired banker, retiring from the Baltimore Trust Company in Selbyville, Del., after 46 years of service. He was formerly a member of Salem United Methodist Church in Selbyville. He was a member of Asbury United Methodist Church in Salisbury, the Doric Masonic Lodge #30 A.F. & A.M. in Millville, Del., and the Delaware Consistory, Wilmington, Del. He was a veteran of the Korean War, serving in the United States Navy. An avid golfer, he was a member of the Ocean City Golf Club and a member of the Salisbury Elks Club, Salisbury. He had been a member of the American Institute of Banking.

Brittingham was preceded in death by his parents, Dee and Mildred Williams Brittingham; and his wife, Iris Clogg Brittingham. He is survived by his fiancée, Shirley Tyndall; a brother, Wayne L. Brittingham and his wife, Doris, of Dagsboro, Del.; a niece, Denise J. Farber of Dagsboro; two great-nieces, Katlyn and Kara Farber; adopted sons, Tim Tyndall and his wife, Beth, of Newark, Md. and Larry Tyndall and his companion, Bob Feuer, of Kansas City, Mo.; and adopted grandchildren, Danny, Megan and Ashley.

Funeral services were scheduled for Tuesday, June 3, 2008, with interment in Prince Georges Cemetery, Dagsboro, Del. In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate that donations be made in his name to any local hospice.

David Bowen, 53, of Frankford, Del., passed away Sunday, June 1, 2008, at Beebe Medical Center in Lewes, Del. A retired farmer, he loved drag racing, liked working outside and loved to drive around in his truck and waste gas. He was a devoted family man and was excellent at lecturing on staying on the right track.

Bowen was preceded in death by a sister, Elizabeth Collins. He is survived by his wife of 24 years, Ida D. Bowen; three sons, David Lee Bowen and his wife, Misty, of Bridgeville, Del., Fabian Wayne Bowen of Chambersborgh, Pa. and Steven Allen Bowen of Ocean View, Del.; two daughters, Kimberly Bernice Bowen of Ocean View and Karen A. Bowen of Clarksville, Del.; two brothers, William Bowen and his wife, Kathleen, of Millsboro, Del., and John Bowen of Frankford; three sisters, Nancy Bowen of Wilmington, Del., Melinda Bowen of Seaford, Del. and Tina Bowen, also of Seaford; eight grandchildren and two on the way.

A service was scheduled for Wednesday, June 4, 2008, with interment held privately.

Jennifer M. Beauchamp, 37, of Millville, Del., passed away Sunday, June 1, 2008, at Beebe Medical Center in Lewes, Del. She was a graduate of Indian River High School in Frankford, Del. and a member of St. Ann’s Catholic Church in Bethany Beach, Del.

Beauchamp was preceded in death by her father, Robert Brown; and her husband, James P. Beauchamp Sr. She is survived by her mother, Joan T. Brown; a son, James P. Beauchamp Jr.; a daughter, Joelle E. Beauchamp; a brother, Brian Brown and his wife, Tina; two sisters, Joanne Sapp and her husband, Richard, and Pamela Neuberth and her husband, Robert; and an aunt, Ruth Fefel.

A Memorial Mass was scheduled for Thursday, June 5, 2008. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions to the Jennifer M. Beauchamp Memorial Fund, 204 Atlantic Ave., Millville, DE 19967.

Betty R. Morris, 75, of Frankford, Del., was called home by Jesus on Sunday, May 25, 2008, after a long illness. She was surrounded by her loving family and friends. She was a member of the Frankford United Methodist Church, the Frankford Volunteer Ladies Auxiliary and the Selbyville Elks Lodge.

Morris was preceded in death by her parents, Charles H. and Maggie (McCabe) Rogers; her beloved son, Donald “Duck” Morris; two brothers, Charles Rogers and Herman Rogers; and two sisters, Viola Shockley and Gladys Collins. She leaves behind her beloved husband of 55 years, Raymond Morris; two daughters, Janet O’Neal of Millsboro, Del. and Bonnie Shockley and her husband, Chris, of Frankford; a son, Terry Morris and his wife, Robin, of Frankford; five grandchildren, Carey Baker (daughter of the late Duck Morris and Marty Quillen) and her husband, Thomas, Kevin O’Neal and his wife, Melissa, Christy Shockley, Leigh Ann McIlvain and her husband, Shawn, and Zachary Morris; her beloved sister, Charlotte Clark and her husband, Donnie, of Gumboro, Del.; three great-grandchildren, Garrett, Jake and Zoe O’Neal; and a dear friend, Gertrude Shockley.

A funeral service will be held at 1 p.m. on Friday, May 30, 2008, at the Frankford Chapel of Melson Funeral Services, Thatcher Street, Frankford, where friends and family may call after noon. Interment will follow in Roxana Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions in her name to Delaware Hospice Center, 100 Patriot’s Way, Milford, DE 19963.

Shirley R. Gum, 71, of Bethany Beach, formerly of Pasadena, Md., passed away Monday, May 26, 2008, at the Beebe Medical Center in Lewes. She worked in quality control for the electronic systems division at Northrop-Grumman in Baltimore, Md., retiring in 1997 after 37 years of service.

Gum was preceded in death by her parents, Ray and Mae Andrikin; and her son, Steven Snodgrass. She is survived by her loving husband of 11 years, William “Bill” R. Gum; her daughters, Scarlett Snodgrass of Ocean View, Del., Melody Edwards of Baltimore, Md., Constance Shifflett of Pasadena, Md., a step-daughter, Susan Widener and her husband, Harry, of Columbia, Pa.; step-sons, William R. Gum and his wife, Lonnie, of Manheim, Pa., Joseph W. Gum and his companion, Sharon, of Harwood, Md.; seven grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren; and her grandchildren, Noelle Crawford and Stephen Snodgrass, both of Ocean View.

A funeral service will be held on Saturday, May 31, 2008, at 10:30 a.m. at the Bethany Chapel of Melson Funeral Services on West Avenue in Ocean View, where friends may call on Friday evening from 6 to 8 p.m. and Saturday morning after 9:30 a.m. Burial will be in Gate of Heaven Cemetery in Dagsboro.

Elaine Elizabeth Casale, 79, of Millsboro, Del., passed away Friday, May 23, 2008, at home. Many years ago she worked on an assembly line constructing brake assemblies. She was very involved with her family and friends, who were the love of her life. She worked as a CHEER volunteer for as long as she could before her illness. She loved having her nieces from Jersey down, loved “colorful” jokes, was the life of the party and always loved having a good time with her family.

Casale was preceded in death by her parents, Thomas and Isabella Yarton Hood; two brothers, Phillip Hood and Thomas Hood Jr.; and a sister, Adelaide Gibson. She is survived by two sons, Michael Casale and his wife, Lisa, of Dagsboro, Del., and Robert D. Freeland and his wife, Diana, of Sonoma, Calif.; a sister, Muriel Phillips of Oakland, N.J.; four grandchildren, Michael and Garrett Casale and Bobby and Lilly Freeland; three great-grandchildren, several nieces and nephews, cousins, friends and her beloved canine, Dee Dee.

Funeral services were scheduled for Thursday, May 29, 2008, with interment in the Gate of Heaven Cemetery, Dagsboro. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that contributions be made in her memory to the Delaware Hospice Center, 100 Patriot’s Way, Milford, DE 19963.

Edward D. Carroll, 80, of Millsboro, Del., passed away Saturday, May 17, 2008, at Beebe Medical Center in Lewes. He served in the United States Navy during World War II and worked as a driver for Bond Bread and Modern Laundry for 32 years.

Carroll was preceded in death by his parents, Charles and Margaret Carroll. He will be dearly missed by his loving wife of 55 years, Carol; his three sons, Stephen, Martin and Danny; two daughters, Ellen and Elizabeth; 13 grandchildren; and one great-grandson.

A Mass of Christian Burial was scheduled for Thursday, May 22, 2008, and a graveside service will be held Friday, May 23, 2008, at 12 noon at Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery, Bailey Road, Yeadon, Pa.

Daniel Jay Dick, 69, of Georgetown, Del., formerly of South Bethany, Del., and Bethesda, Md., passed away suddenly at his home on Thursday, May 15, 2008. He was a veteran of the United States Marine Corps and a self-employed salesman of auto parts and equipment. He enjoyed gardening and fishing.

Dick was preceded in death by his parents, Walter J. and Harriett (Wilkins) Dick. He is survived by his loving wife of six years, Chiau Ling Dick; four children, Elise Soliz of West Va., Sandra Flores of Md., David J. Dick of Fla. and Dana Rocks of Md.; a brother, Howard and his wife, Sue, of Ocean View, Del.; 11 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

A funeral service was scheduled for Wednesday, May 21, 2008, with interment in Mariner’s Bethel Cemetery in Ocean View.

W. Harold Hastings, 82, of Ocean Pines, Md., formerly of Selbyville, Del., passed away Friday, May 16, 2008, in Atlantic General Hospital, Berlin, Md. A graduate of Selbyville High School, he attended George Washington University and Temple University. An Army veteran of World War II, he served with the 9th Army in the 548th Field Artillery Battalion in Europe. After Victory in Europe Day, he was promoted to first-sergeant. Upon his discharge, he was awarded a direct commission as a second-lieutenant in the Army Reserve.

For 47 years, he owned and operated the former Hastings Pharmacy in Selbyville, which was established by his father in 1929. He served on the Selbyville Town Council for five years and was a 50-year member of the Lions, having been a member of the Selbyville Lions Club and the Berlin Lions Club. He was a member of St. John Neumann Catholic Church, Ocean Pines, Md., and was a devoted, lifelong fan of the Chicago Cubs.

Hastings was preceded in death by his parents, W. Earl and Nellie Maverick Hastings; and a son, William Gary Hastings. He is survived by his much beloved wife of 58 years, Mary Jane Hastings; a son, Glenn Hastings of Selbyville; two daughters, Nancy H. Fox and her husband, Don, of Charleston, S.C., and Janet H. Loveland and her husband Mark of Frankford, Del.; three grandchildren, Jennifer Fox Campbell and her husband, Robby, Michael Loveland Sr. and his wife, Mary, and Adam Hastings Fox; and one great-grandson, Michael Loveland Jr.

A Mass of Christian Burial was scheduled for Tuesday, May 20, 2008, with interment in the Gate of Heaven Cemetery, Dagsboro, Del. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to St. John Neumann Catholic Church, 11211 Beauchamp Road, Berlin, MD 21811.

Gordon E. Martin, 70, of Ocean View, Del., formerly of Dundalk, Md., passed away peacefully, surrounded by his loving family, on Wednesday, May 14, 2008, at Beebe Medical Center in Lewes, Del. He retired from General Motors in Baltimore, Md., after 27 years of service. He was a member of the UAW retirees, the American Legion, the Elks Lodge 2540 of Lewes, Del., and also served as a leader of the Sea Scouts. He enjoyed boating, traveling, target shooting, and playing baseball and lacrosse.

Martin is survived by his loving wife of 12 years, Charlotte I. Martin; four children, Michael Martin and his wife, Ann, of Kingsville, Md., Kathy Wildberger and her husband, Daniel, of Essex, Md., Terrence Martin and his wife, Sherryl, of Hubert, N.C. and Jeffrey Martin of Rosedale, Md.; two brothers, Douglas Martin and his wife, Delores, of Bel Air, Md., and Bruce Martin and his wife, Carol, of Berlin, Md.; seven grandchildren, Michael Martin Jr., Kelsey Wildberger, Daniel Martin, Troy Wildberger, Sarah Martin, Erika Martin and Hayley Martin.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, May 24, 2008, at the Lutheran Church of Our Savior, 7 Bay Vista Road, Rehoboth Beach, Del. A luncheon will immediately follow. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions to the American Liver Foundation, Delaware Valley Chapter, 111 Presidential Blvd., Suite 214, Bala Cynwyd, PA 19904; or to the American Diabetes Association, P.O. Box 11454, Alexandria, VA 22312.

Margaret G. “Josie” Moffitt, 86, of Ocean View, Del., formerly of Baltimore, Md., passed away Sunday, May 18, 2008, at the Beebe Medical Center, Lewes, Del. She was a retired retail buyer for a department store in Baltimore. She attended St. Ann’s Catholic Church in Bethany Beach, Del.

Moffitt was preceded in death by her parents, Vincent and Maria DiGiorgio; and her husband, James Moffitt. She is survived by two sons, James Michael Moffitt and his wife, Nancy, of Waldorf, Md. and Timothy David Moffitt; her sister, Rose Powell of Ellicott City, Md.; a caregiver, Sharol Dunkum of Ocean View; three grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.

Services and burial were private.

Joseph S. Ryan, 94, of Bethany Beach, Del., formerly of Potomac, Md., passed away Wednesday, May 14, 2008, at Atlantic General Hospital, Berlin, Md. A graduate of Purdue University, he was a veteran of World War II, serving in the Army and retiring as a lieutenant colonel. He then worked in defense satellite communications at the Defense Communications Agency, retiring in 1976. He was a past president of Sussex Shores Beach Association and he loved politics, cooking and gardening.

Ryan was preceded in death by his parents, Frank A. and Wanda (Weldy) Ryan; and his loving wife of 65 years, Eva Ward Ryan. He is survived by a daughter, Deborah Cairns and her husband, Scott, of Jacksonville, Fla.; a son, John Ryan and his wife, Kathleen Vetter, of Cabin John, Md.; five grandchildren, Joshua and James Ryan, Sam, Elizabeth and Allison Cairns; and a sister, Dorothy Doty of Indianapolis, Ind.

A memorial service will be held at 4 p.m. on Friday, May 23, 2008, at St. Martha’s Episcopal Church, Pennsylvania Ave. & Maplewood St., Bethany Beach, Del. Interment will be private.

Donald Eugene Snyder, 73, of Long Neck, Del., formerly of York, Pa., passed away at his home on Sunday, May 18, 2008. He was a retired toolmaker for Caterpillar Inc. He was deacon of East Gate Presbyterian Church in Long Neck (Millsboro), Del. He enjoyed woodworking and fishing.

Snyder was preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Ellen (Spangler) Snyder; and his grandson, Justin Snyder. He is survived by his loving wife of 55 years, Sandra (Kinsey) Snyder; two daughters, Barbara Jean Spangler and her husband, Raymond, and Karen Ann Veilleux and her husband, Terry; a son, Craig Snyder and his wife, Jane; 10 grandchildren, Ryan and Christopher Veilleux, Savannah and Quin Snyder, Raymond, Christine, Bonnie, Jill, Beverly and Danny Spangler; as well as two brothers, William and Frank Snyder.

A memorial service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, May 23, 2008, at the East Gate Presbyterian Church, 34806 Church Lane, Millsboro, Del.

Helen C. Souder, 78, of Dagsboro, Del., passed away Tuesday, May 13, 2008, at Atlantic Shores Rehabilitation and Health Center in Millsboro, Del. She was a member of the Friends of Prince George’s Chapel Association in Dagsboro. A bonsai tropical tree grower, she was also a member of the Bonsai Society and traveled throughout the world attending their meetings.

Souder was preceded in death by her parents, Russell L. and Mildred (Adkins) Parsons; and her husband, Raymond Souder. She is survived by two sons, Stephen Campbell and Russell Campbell and his wife, Cheryl; a sister, Barbara Laws; three grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

A funeral service was scheduled for Saturday, May 17, 2008, with interment in Dagsboro Redmens Memorial Cemetery, Dagsboro.

Gregory Alan White, 40, beloved son of Sandy and Dave White of Ocean View, Del., passed away Saturday, May 10, 2008, in Phoenix, Ariz.

He has left his loved brother David and his wife, Erin; and two nephews, Justin and Sean. There are many family and friends who are also suffering with the family in this tragic loss. All funeral arrangements were private. “The family asks that you help a lost soul you meet along your path of life. Greg was so fortunate to have met his angels, Noel and his family, at his darkest hours of need. They never questioned, but gave him respect and l love.”

William A. Tull Sr., 76, of Millsboro, Del., passed away Wednesday, May 7, 2008, at Nanticoke Memorial Hospital, Seaford, Del., after being stricken at home. He worked at Townsend’s Inc. in Millsboro, in the automotive maintenance and parts department, retiring in 1993 after 45 years of service. He most recently worked part-time at the Cheer Center in Long Neck, near Millsboro. He was a United States veteran of the Korean War. He was a member of the Church of the Lord Jesus Christ of the Apostolic Faith, Ellendale, Del. and the Cheer Center in Long Neck. He enjoyed family gatherings and many different sports, including auto racing, NASCAR, football, tennis, hunting and many other sports.

Tull was preceded in death by his parents, Alonzo and Edith Selby Tull; a brother, Milton Tull; and a son-in-law, Leander Anthony. Tull is survived by his wife of 53 years, Corella Hall Tull; four sons, William A. Tull Jr. and his wife, Lorna, of Millsboro, Tyrone A. Tull and his wife, Carla, of Harbeson, Del.; Telford L. Tull and his wife, Linda, of Millsboro and Wade B. Tull and his wife, April, of Georgetown, Del.; six daughters, Cynthia B. Tull of Millsboro, Vernetta Y. Swann of Millsboro, Francine R. Tolliver and her husband, Roland, of Upper Marlboro, Md., Tujuana T. Tull of Upper Marlboro, Md., Katrania G. Anthony of Seaford, Del. and Tegra L. Woody and her husband, Grady, of Seaford, Del.; four brothers, James Tull, David Tull and Lorenzo Tull, all of Millsboro and Rufus Tull of Columbus, Ga.; 18 grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.

Services were scheduled for Monday, May 12, 2008, with interment in the Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Patriots Way, Millsboro, Del.

Patricia Robinson-Hendrickson, 53, of Millsboro, Del., passed away Tuesday, May 6, 2008, at Delaware Hospice Center in Milford, Del. She was a retired courier. She was a loving wife and enjoyed her pets.

Robinson-Hendrickson was preceded in death by her parents, Charles and Zola Whaley Houser. She is survived by her husband, William Hendrickson; a sister, Sandy Poe of Wilmington, Del.; her dear friend, Paula; her beloved dogs, Amy and Toby; nieces and nephews.

Services and burial were private.