Obituaries

Charles Wayne “Sparky” Sparks, 75, of Georgetown, Del., passed away Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2009, at home. Sparks retired from Stockley Center after working in the maintenance department for many years. He loved fishing, boating, motorcycling and camping.

Sparks was preceded in death by his parents, Charles Walter and Ada Blanch Rawley Sparks. He is survived by his companion, Crystal Parsons; three sons, Paul Sparks and his wife, Lynda, of Angola, Del., Charles W. Sparks Jr. of Georgetown, Del., and Wayne Charles Sparks of Georgetown, Del.; two daughters, Cheryl Wootten of Georgetown, Del., and Wendy O’Neill and her husband, Mike O’Neill, of Georgetown, Del., several members of his extended family, friends and his beloved canine, Thor.

A memorial service is scheduled for 6 to 7 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 2, 2009, at the Watson Funeral Home, 211 S. Washington Street, Millsboro, Del. In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations to the Delaware Hospice Center, 100 Patriot’s Way, Milford, Del. 19963, in memory of “Sparky” Sparks.

Regina L. Taylor, 48, of Georgetown, Del., passed away Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2009, at Bayhealth/Milford Memorial after a long illness. Taylor was a food-service dietician at the Atlantic Shores Nursing Home in Millsboro, Del. She was a member of the World Alive Ministry. She loved her sons, loved to cook and loved animals of every kind.

Taylor was preceded in death by her parents, Clifton and Rosie Elise Mae Smith. She is survived by her husband, Bruce O. Taylor; two sons, Bruce O’Keith Taylor of Dover, Del., and Kawan David Taylor of Georgetown, Del.; a godson, Duane Smith; four brothers; James Smith of Seaford, Del., Martin Smith and his wife, Edna, of Frankford, Del., Clifton Smith of Dagsboro, Del., and Marcus Smith of Snow Hill, Md.; five sisters, Loretta Matthews and her husband, Robert Matthews, of Camden, N.J., Sarah Cannon of Bridgeville, Del., Christine Smith of Camden, N.J., and Darlene Smith of Bridgeville, Del.; two special sisters, Rachel Bivens of Frankford, Del. and Judith Bess of Philadelphia, Pa.; many nieces and nephews; and extended family.

A memorial service was scheduled for Monday, Sept. 28, 2009, at the Calvary Pentecostal Church, U.S. Route 113, Bishopville, Md., with interment in the Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Millsboro, Del., at a later date.

K. Jean Coffin, 72, of Selbyville, Del., passed away Thursday, Sept. 17, 2009, at home. She had been a cashier for many years at the former Rayne Brothers Food Rite in Selbyville.

Coffin was preceded in death by her parents, Edward Norton and Pauline Donaway Hall; her husband, Robert T. Coffin; and two sisters, Libby Mumford and Margarete Hall; and a brother, Bill Hall. She is survived by two sons, David B. Coffin of Lewes, Del., and Kenneth T. Coffin and his wife, Wendy, of Dagsboro, Del.; a daughter, Patricia A. Sheppard and her husband, Jeff, of Selbyville; one brother, Ray Hall; four sisters, Betty White, Dot Mumford, Doris Quillen and Hilda Foskey; and three grandchildren, Michael and Matthew Coffin and Andrew Sheppard.

A funeral service was scheduled for Monday, Sept. 21, 2009, with interment in New Hope Cemetery, Willards, Md. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Delaware Hospice, 100 Patriots Way, Milford, DE 19963.

Walter Leroy “Lee” Monroe, 89, of Millsboro, Del., passed away Friday, Sept. 18, 2009, in the family home where he was born. He was owner and manager of the family retail clothing store, Monroe Apparel, which started in Millsboro and was a successful multi-generational family business for 83 years.

Monroe was a veteran of World War II; a survivor of the Battle of the Bulge (Bastogne Campaign); and was a crewmember of the 445th Anti-Aircraft Battery. He was a member of Grace U.M. Church, and taught Sunday-school after the war. He was awarded a 60 year membership pin. He was a member of both the American Legion Post 22 and the VFW Post 7422, serving as post commander for several terms in the Legion. He became a civic leader, co-founding the Chamber of Commerce in Millsboro, and served 15 years on the Millsboro Town Council and one year as president of the council. He also served on the Millsboro Cemetery Committee.

Monroe was preceded in death by his parents, Walter P. and Bertha Moore Monroe; and a brother, Millard W. Monroe, who was his business partner in Monroe Apparel for many years. He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Thelma D. Monroe; and four children: Walter Keith Monroe and his wife, Marie, of Millsboro; Mark William Monroe and his wife, Emily, of Ruckersville, Va.; Karen Jo Monroe Reed and her husband, Jim, of Lansing, Kansas; and Pamela Monroe Warrington and her husband, Daniel, of Millsboro; eight grandchildren; one great-grandchild; a niece, Tamara Monroe Toomey and her husband, Everett.

Funeral services were scheduled for Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2009, with interment in Millsboro Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions to Delaware Hospice, 100 Patriot’s Way, Milford, DE 19963.

John W. Morgan, 78, of Dagsboro, Del., passed away Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2009, at home. He was retired from the University of Delaware in Georgetown, Del., after 25 years of service. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army.

Morgan was preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Bessie Banks Morgan; his brothers, Ernest and Oliver Morgan; and his sisters, Emma Robbin, Naomi Abey and Mable Harley. He is survived by his son, John W. Morgan Jr. of Fla.; his daughter, Anna Lisa Morgan of Salisbury, Md.; his sisters, Mary Ann Moxey of Dagsboro and Janet Tingle of Georgetown, Del.; and one brother, Russell Morgan Sr. of Dover, Del.

A funeral service was scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 19, 2009, with interment in Dagsboro Redmen’s Cemetery.

George J. Whitworth, 73, of Selbyville, Del., formerly of Malvern, Pa., passed away peacefully on Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2009, in the Delaware Hospice Center, Milford, Del. He worked 18 years as a milk truck driver for Clayton Exner in Exton, Pa. In 1970, he became co-owner of Jones Disposal in Malvern, Pa. After retiring from Jones Disposal, he moved to Selbyville and became a poultry grower, working until his illness.

Whitworth was preceded in death by his parents, Horace C. and Ella Jefferis Whitworth; his brothers, Charles and Nelson Whitworth; and his sister, Charlotte Jones. He is survived by his loving wife of 56 years, Martha P. (Dorazio) Whitworth; his sons, George Jr. and his wife, Jeanne, of Laurel, Del., Edward and his wife, Jane, of Malvern, Pa., Gerald of Miami, Fla., and John and his wife, Sarah, of Schnecksville, Pa.; his daughter, Lynne Yannitto and her husband, Loren, of Selbyville; 22 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; and his brother, David, of West Chester, Pa.

Funeral services were scheduled for Sunday, Sept. 20, 2009. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Delaware Hospice, 100 Patriots Way, Milford, Del.; or The River (Roxana Wesleyan Church), 35175 Roxana Rd., Frankford, DE 19945.

David Vernon Wible, 68, of Selbyville, Del., formerly of Baltimore, Md., passed away Saturday, Sept. 12, 2009, in Delaware Hospice Center, Milford, Del. He was a U.S. Army Vietnam veteran and a member of the Ocean City Elks Club and the East Sussex Moose Lodge #2542. He had retired from The Lewes Carpet Co. as a salesman. He was also a local D.J. known as “Doctor Dave.” He was an avid Ravens and NASCAR fan.

Wible was preceded in death by his parents, Vernon and Marsha Gordon Wible. He is survived by his wife, Joan L. Wible; three sons, Eric, Jeffrey and Steven; three daughters, Heather, Tanya and Stacey; a brother, Stephen; a sister, Lynn; three grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

Services will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Delaware Hospice; 100 Patriots Way, Milford, DE 19963; or East Sussex Moose Lodge #2542, 35993 Zion Church Rd., Frankford, DE 19945.

Carl Henry Blackburn, 68, of Ocean View, Del., formerly of West Chester, Pa., passed away Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2009. He retired, after 39 years in research and development, from Sun Company in Marcus Hook in 2001 and moved to the shore with his wife, Catherine, to enjoy some of his favorite things: traveling, fishing, camping, golfing, gardening, caring for others, telling stories and enjoying time with family and friends.

Having served in the National Guard, he was a member of the American Legion and he was a recent member of the Ocean City, Md., Elks Lodge. He enjoyed the outdoors and new friendships as part of the greens maintenance crew at Bear Trap Dunes Golf Course.

An avid volunteer, he was committed to his community and preserving open spaces wherever he resided. His service on volunteer committees in Pennsylvania and Delaware has left a legacy of open spaces for community recreation that will endure for his grandchildren. He also volunteered with Meals on Wheels, delivering food and friendship to seniors.

Blackburn is survived by his wife, Catherine Blackburn; children Kym, Jill and Scott; grandchildren Dylan James, Bastian Carl and Cole Patrick; and sisters, Nancy Loftis and Claire Kraus.

Services were scheduled for Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2009. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in his honor to Best Friends Animal Society, a no-kill animal sanctuary, online at www.bestfriends.org.

Peter F. Brown, 81, of Ocean View, Del., passed away Thursday, Sept. 10, 2009, at Peninsula Regional Medical Center, Salisbury, Md. He was a retired building maintenance worker.

Brown was preceded in death by his parents, Emanuel and Mary Brown; and his brother, Emanuel Brown Jr. He is survived by his children, Ruth Brown, Laura Brown, Peter Brown and his wife, Rosemary; a sister, Lorraine Brown Grassio; a brother, Albert Brown; four grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.

A Mass of Christian Burial was scheduled for Thursday, Sept. 17, 2009, with interment in Gate of Heaven Cemetery, Dagsboro, Del. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions to St. Ann’s Catholic Church Building Fund, 691 Garfield Pkwy., Bethany Beach, DE 19930; or the Marvel Carriage Museum, 510 S. Bedford St., Georgetown, DE 19947.

Bradford James Donovan, 53, of Bridgeville, Del., passed from this life on Monday, Aug. 31, 2009, in Nanticoke Memorial Hospital, after a long illness. He worked for Mundy of Seaford, Del., in the maintenance department. He was a veteran of the U.S. Navy.

Donovan was preceded in death by his mother, Edna Jewell Donovan; and younger brother, Robert. He is survived by his father, Alfred Donovan, and his father’s longtime companion, Dyanna Waldridge; two aunts, Virginia Breeding of Federalsbury, Md., and Ann Taylor of Millsboro, Del.; and a cousin, Betty Smith, of Greenwood, Del.

A graveside service was scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 12, 2009, at Dagsboro Redmen’s Cemetery, Dagsboro, Del.

Mary Ellen Donaway, 79, of Georgetown, Del., passed away Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2009, in Delaware Hospice Center, Milford, Del. A homemaker, she was a devoted dog lover and dedicated to her beloved “Skipper.” She had a great sense of humor. A campground host for many years at Trap Pond, she was also a member of Shiloh U.M. Church and the Mary Rebekah Lodge #15, associated with the Odd Fellows.

Donaway was preceded in death by her parents, George Edward and Pearl V. Hitchens Hudson; her husband, Reese W. Donaway; two brothers, Pete and Ronald Hudson; and a sister, Geneva Ackerman. She is survived by her three daughters, Sharon Jester of Lewes, Del., Gayle Wilson and her husband, Charles, of Georgetown, and Kara Lambert and her husband, Mike, of Seaford, Del.

A funeral service was scheduled for Monday, Sept. 14, 2009, with interment in Union Cemetery, Georgetown, Del. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to Delaware Hospice Center, 100 Patriot’s Way, Milford, DE 19963.

George W. Hudson, “N3ZFM,” 71, of Millsboro, Del., passed away Friday, Sept. 11, 2009, at home. He had retired as a mechanic from Hitchen’s Auto Supply in Millsboro, Del. He was a Baptist and attended Calvary Baptist Church in Georgetown, Del. He was a loving husband, father and grandfather. Also, an avid fan of amateur radio, he was active in ham radio clubs.

Hudson was preceded in death by his parents, Thomas and Leona Powell Hudson; a brother, Roland Hudson; and a sister, Odetta Bradner. He is survived by his wife of 39 years, Rachel White Hitchens; four sons, Steven Hudson and his wife, Mary, of Millsboro, Buddy Lockwood and his wife, Tish, of Georgetown, Del., Troy Allen Lockwood and his wife, Jill, of Syracuse, N.Y., and Tony Hudson of Georgetown; two brothers, Paul Hudson of Dagsboro and William Hudson of Selbyville, Del.; a sister, Elsie Jarman of Dagsboro; nine grandchildren; one great-grandchild; many nieces, nephews, friends and pals in the ham radio club.

Services will be held Friday, Sept. 18, 2009, at 11 a.m. at Watson Funeral Home, 211 S. Washington St., Millsboro, where friends may call one hour prior for viewing and visitation. Interment will be in Cokesbury U.M. Church Cemetery.

Ernest C. “Butch” Long Jr., 59, of Laurel, Del., passed away after a long illness on Monday, Sept. 7, 2009, in Milford Memorial Hospital, Milford, Del. He was a career police officer with a distinguished record, having received a citation for bravery in the capture of an armed robber. During his career, he served as an officer in South Bethany, Ocean View, Dagsboro, Frankford and Millsboro. Often he worked two jobs; working in two different departments simultaneously. He served as a police chief during the 1970’s and early 1980’s in Ocean View, Frankford and Dagsboro. His last assignment was in Millsboro, where he retired at the rank of sergeant.

He was always about fairness and meticulous in his work. His hobbies included hunting, fishing and being in the great outdoors. He was living with his daughter, Angel, who was his primary caregiver in the recent months of his illness.

Long was preceded in death by his parents, Ernest C. Long Sr. and Jeanette Donaway Long; a brother, Richard; and a sister, Mary Elizabeth Stevens. He is survived by his wife, Deborah V. Long; two children, Wayne Burton Long and his wife, Jill, of Frankford, Del., and Angel Lynn Melson and her husband, Ernie, of Georgetown, Del.; two brothers, Dale William Long and his companion, Donald Vaughn, of Salisbury, Md., and David Wayne Long and his wife, Rosemary, of Millsboro, Del.; two sisters, Virginia Lee Shockley of Millsboro and Amy Louise Swift and her husband, C.W., of Georgetown; two grandchildren, Ernie “Andy” Melson III and L.J.; and six step-grandchildren. He is also survived by extra special friends, John and Shirley Baker and Chelsea, and numerous nieces, nephews and friends, as well as his two canine friends, Barney and Fred.

Amelia J. (Poulakis) Garrison, 90, of Bethany Beach, Del., passed away Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2009, at Coastal Hospice at the Lake in Salisbury, Md. She had been a certified property manager in the Washington, D.C., area for many years, retiring to Delaware in the early 1980’s. She was the first woman president of the Washington, D.C., Property Management Association. She was an avid reader and a devoted Washington Redskins fan.

Garrison was preceded in death by her parents, John G. and Helen (Zaharis) Poulakis; and her husband, Edward Rhey Garrison. She is survived by her son, Peter Jon Garrison of Bethany Beach.

Services were scheduled for Monday, Sept. 14, 2009, with entombment in the Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Millsboro, Del. Contributions are suggested to the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation, 100 West 10th St., Wilmington, DE 19801.

Courtland R. McCabe, 81, of Frankford, Del., passed away Saturday, Sept. 12, 2009, at Delaware Hospice Center in Milford, Del. He worked for Murray’s Feed in Frankford and continued employment there under different ownerships until retiring as mill superintendent after 43 years of service. He had served on the Frankford Town Council and was a member of the Selbyville Elks Lodge for 35 years and the Salisbury Moose Lodge for 33 years. He enjoyed camping, gardening, listening to country music and, most importantly, his family.

McCabe was preceded in death by his daughter Terri; and grandson Allen. He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Janette; his son, Wayne McCabe and his wife, Elaine; his daughter, Vickie Pickett and her husband, John; three grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.

Friends and family may call on Thursday evening, Sept. 17, 2009, from 6:30 to 9 p.m. at the chapel of Melson Funeral Services, Thatcher St., Frankford. Funeral services will be private. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions to Delaware Hospice Center, 100 Patriots Way, Milford, DE 19963

Frank H. Sampson, 89, of Ocean View, Del., passed away Monday, Sept. 14, 2009, in Harbor Healthcare & Rehabilitation Center, Lewes, Del. He was a retired accountant for CSX Railroad, formerly B&O Railroad Company of Baltimore, Md. He was a veteran of World War II and Korea, serving with the U.S. Navy.

Sampson was preceded in death by his parents, Ernest and Clara (Kroll) Sampson; and his beloved wife of 59 years, Regina Sampson. He is survived by two daughters, Janet L. Smith of Frankford, Del., and Jennifer N. Gnandt of Boyertown, Pa.; three grandchildren, Kerry Meadows, Tracey Hankins and Michael Smith; and a great-granddaughter, Regan Hankins.

Burial will be held privately at the Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Millsboro, Del. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions to Compassionate Care Hospice of Sussex, 31038 Country Gardens Blvd., Suite D2, Dagsboro, DE 19939.

Cornelia D. “Connie” Bradshaw, 75, of Frankford, Del., formerly of Rockville, Md., passed away Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2009, at Peninsula Regional Medical Center in Salisbury, Md. She was a member of the Fenwick Women’s Club, Keenwick Women’s Club, Ocean City Elks Ladies Auxiliary and the Red Hats.

Bradshaw was preceded in death by her parents, Edwin Ralph and Gladys Cornelia Millin Donaldson. She is survived by her husband, Richard E. Bradshaw; a son, Gary R. Bradshaw of Leesburg, Va.; a daughter, Janice L. Bausch of Georgetown, Del., a brother, John D. Donaldson of Sunset Beach, N.C.; a sister, Cindy Blum of Phoenix, Ariz.; five grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.

A funeral service was scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 5, 2009, with interment in St. Paul’s Episcopal Cemetery, Georgetown.

Kimberly G. “Kim” Esham, 50, of Millsboro, Del., passed away Friday, Sept. 4, 2009, at Nanticoke Memorial Hospital. She was retired as a beautician from Stockley Center after 25 years of service. She was an auxiliary member of Gideons International. A wonderful wife, mother and grandmother, she was the perfect hostess who always took care of everyone. She loved being a mom-mom and camping with her “Brucie.”

Esham is survived by her parents, Herbert W. and Elizabeth Feick Gabel; her husband of 28 years, Bruce James Esham; her son, Matthew James Esham; her in-laws, Beatrice Esham Nelson and stepfather, Dave Nelson; also, two brothers, Gregory A. Gabel and his companion, Nancy Denham, of Georgetown, Del., and Donald W. Gabel and his wife, Dora, of Rochester, N.Y.; her sister, Kathy E. Scott and her husband, Leon M., of Houston, Del.; one grandchild, Blake James Esham; four nephews, Christopher, Anthony, Calvin and Jeffrey; three nieces, Samantha, Liana and Candice; numerous cousins, aunts, uncles and extended family and friends.

Funeral services were scheduled for Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2009, with interment in Westwoods Cemetery, Gumboro, Del. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions to Gideon’s International, Sussex County Camp, P.O. Box 281, Millsboro, DE 19966-0281.

Robert J. “Bob” Benton, 77, of Dagsboro, Del., passed away peacefully at his residence on Sunday, Aug. 16, 2009, surrounded by his loving family. Growing up in South Baltimore, he attended Southern High School, where he was an All-American and nick-named “Bird-Footed All-Star.”

Following high school, he served with the U.S. Navy for four years as an aircraft engine mechanic; he was on active duty during the Korean War. He lived in Woodlawn, Md., for 20 years and in McDaniel, Md., for another 20 years. He was employed by C & P Telephone Co. for 35 years and then by Corsica Telecom before retiring to Dagsboro in 1999.

He was always ready to lend a hand and contributed a great deal of time and effort in the construction of his church, Peninsula Community Church. He was “Mr. Personality,” had a quick wit and enjoyed watching others smile.

Benton was preceded in death by his parents, John W. and Mildred (Mitchell) Benton; a grandson, Craig Wood; and his sister, Rosemary Haspert. He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Mary Patricia; five children, Regina Hogsten and her husband, Dave, of Catonsville, Md., Loretta Warfield and her husband, Richard, of Frankford, Del., Robert Benton of Chestertown, Md., Mary-Christine Wood and her husband, Michael, of Frankford, and Steven Benton and his wife, Michelle, of Ocean View, Del.; 16 grandchildren, Laura and her husband, Damon Costantini, Brandon and his wife, Holly Wood, Cpl. David Hogsten (USMC), Kyle Warfield, Melinda Warfield, Katie Benton, Erin Wood, Ben Warfield, Steven Benton, Christopher and his wife, Emily Hogsten, Kristen Benton, Ryan Wood, Max Benton, Matthew Hogsten, Kimberly and Carolyn Benton; two great-grandchildren, Zachary and Ethan Costantini; and two brothers, John and Paul Benton.

A memorial service will be held Saturday, Sept. 12, 2009, at 2 p.m. at Peninsula Community Church, 28574 Cypress Road, Selbyville, Del. Interment will be private at the Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Millsboro, Del. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions be made to Peninsula Community Church, Attn: Children’s Ministry, 28574 Cypress Rd., Selbyville, DE 19975; or VITAS Hospice Charitable Fund, 100 Commerce Dr., Suite 302, Newark, DE 19713.

Arthur Gilbert Collison Jr., 66, of Frankford, Del., went home to bask in the glory of our Lord on Saturday, Aug. 22, 2009. He was lovingly called “Junior” by his family. He suffered a short illness but he suffers no more. He enjoyed a trucking career and trucking did not leave his blood after retirement. He loved the Lincoln (Del.) Auction, a good yard sale, as well as life itself. He had a great sense of humor and could sit and tell jokes for hours. He loved the Dallas Cowboys and Dale Earnhardt.

Collison was preceded in death by his parents, Arthur G. Collison Sr. and Pauline Willey Collison. He is survived by a loving family, which includes his sister, Charlotte A. Hannum of Frankford; an adoring niece, Amy McNatt-Russell and her husband, of Salisbury, Md.; a great-niece, also of Salisbury and a great-nephew, David Lee Adams, of Millsboro, Del; a trucking buddy known as “Slow Motion,” whom he thought the world of and with whom he loved to trade those road stories. A brother, uncle and friend, he will be forever missed.

Services will be private and at the discretion of the family. In lieu of flowers, family member said Collison would have appreciated donations be made to the Delaware Hospice Center, 100 Patriots Way, Milford, DE 19963. The family issued many thanks to them.