Obituaries

Blaine Adkins, 62 of Millsboro, Del., died Friday, July 21, 2006, at home.

Atkins was retired from Melvin Joseph Inc. He was a life member of the Mid Sussex Ambulance Squad. He loved fishing, hunting, and his grandchildren.

He is survived by his wife of 29 years, Cora Lee Armfield Atkins; his mother, Grace Moore; one son, Christopher Edward Atkins and his wife Bonnie; two brothers, Bobby Lee Atkins and John Swithenbank; five grandchildren, Bryan, Michael, Amanda, Alana, Christina; and one great-grandchild, Audrey Rose. He was preceded in death by his father, Dale Atkins.

Funeral services were scheduled for July 24 at Watson Funeral Home, 211 Washington St. Millsboro, Delaware with internment being private.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions maybe made to Compassionate Care Hospice, 201 A West DuPont Hwy, Millsboro, DE 19966.

Thurman J. ‘T’ Bodley, 82

Thurman J. “T” Bodley, 82, of Whaleyville, Md., died July 21, 2006, at Peninsula Regional Medical Center, Salisbury, Md.

During World War II, Bodley served in the United States Navy. After the war, he served in the Merchant Marines and the United States Army. After serving in the military, he became a bus driver and worked for three years for Red Star Motor Coach and three years for Pennsylvania Greyhound. He then went to work for the Coca Cola Bottling Co., retiring in 1979 as a district manager after 26 years of service. After retiring, he worked for the National Park Service on Assateague Island as a seasonal employee for 10 years.

Bodley was an avid sportsman who especially enjoyed fishing, rabbit hunting and baseball. While serving with the occupation army in Japan after the war, he was a pitcher for the All Japan Champion Team, the 8th Army “Chicks.” He was a 32nd degree Mason and a member of the Scottish Rite, the Valley of Salisbury. He was also a life member of VFW Post 8276. “T” looks forward to meeting all his loved ones and friends who have passed on before him, to travel together in spirit forever.

He is survived by his greatest love and joy, his wife, Vivian A. Bodley; four daughters, Cheryl Gronback, Patricia Bodley, Toni Julian and Kimberly Judge; five grandchildren, Aimee Shepherd, Katie Bodley, Robert Johnson, Casey Johnson, and Heather Coleman; two great-grandchildren, Abigail Dix and Emma Johnson. He was preceded in death by his parents, Thurman J. Sr. and Alma Cooper Bodley.

Graveside services were scheduled for July 26 at Dale Cemetery, Sheppards Crossing, Whaleyville, Md..

In lieu of flowers, the family suggest contributions be made to Whaleyville United Methodist Church, c/o Elaine Rogers 12332 Blueberry Rd, Whaleyville, MD 21872.

William S. Cropper IV, 24

William S. Cropper IV, 24, of Roxana, died Sunday, July 23, 2006, at Atlantic General Hospital in Berlin, Md. Cropper was the son of the late William S. Cropper III, who died in 2003. He was an apprentice electrician with Royal Plus Electric in West Ocean City, Md. Cropper was a 2000 graduate of Sussex Tech. He loved spending time with his niece, Jenna. Cropper liked hanging out with his close cousins, Michael and Matthew Evans, and close friend Kenny Bertrand. In addition to hanging out with his friends, he loved car shows, working on his car and car stereos. He was an advocate of organ donation.

He is survived by his mother, Teresa D. (Evans) Cropper, his sister, Cherise Cropper, paternal grandmother, Yvonne Lewis Cropper; maternal grandparents, Joseph and Gladys Evans; niece Jenna Cropper; aunts and uncles, Roy Evans and his wife Barb, Randy Evans and his wife Terry, Tammy and her husband George Mitchell, Rita Deakyne and Karen Daly; and numerous cousins and friends.

A visitation was scheduled for 10 a.m. to noon on Saturday, July 29, at the Frankford Chapel of Melson Funeral Services, Thatcher Street, Frankford, DE. Burial will be private.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions in William’s name to the American Heart Association - Sussex Chapter, 600 N. DuPont Hwy., Georgetown, DE 19947.