Obituaries

Albert Sheridan Hahn, 75, of Selbyville, Del., was reborn to the Lord’s grace of heaven on Friday, June 13, 2008. “What was once corruptible has become incorruptible” by the grace of Jesus’ sacrifice and Hahn’s acceptance of that gift of grace. His love was boundless and expressed itself in his service in missions to Red Bird Kentucky, service to St. Matthews UMC, in his voluntary work for the Delaware State Police, the Senior Advocacy program for the Delaware Attorney General’s Office and most recently in his election to the Board of Directors of the Delaware Electric Co-op.

He had deep pride in the fellowship of his brothers of the Masonic Lodge of Palestine #189 in Catonsville, Md. He was Past Worshipful Master of Palestine 189 and also served as lodge secretary. To his great joy, he was nominated to the Grand Masonic Lodge of Maryland as Junior Grand Deacon and also was elected to Right Worshipful Senior Grand Warden. He served his country honorably in the 101st Airborne and retired from the Baltimore Gas and Electric Company after 41 years of diligent service.
Hahn was preceded in death by his parents, Philip “Poppy” and Virginia Hahn. He is survived by his beloved wife, Carol L. Hahn, with whom he celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in 2004. He was a devoted father of Phil, Keith, Cindy, Kathy and Laurie and grandfather of Will, Greg, Alicia, Andrew, Natalie, Adam and Zachary. He is survived by his sisters, Phyllis and Charlotte.
A memorial service will be held at St. Matthews by the Sea on Sunday, June 22, 2008, at 2 p.m. Donations, in lieu of flowers, should be sent to: St. Matthews by the Sea, UMC, 1000 Coastal Hwy., Fenwick Island, DE 19944, At

Michael D. “Donnie” “Bumper” Rhodes-Burross, 26, of Long Neck, Del., passed away Friday, June 6, 2008, at home. He was a landscaper. Known to many as “Donnie” and some closest to him as “Bumper.” He was an avid car fan, and loved music, playing pool, landscaping and working outdoors. He loved to laugh and was a “social bee” that enjoyed making new friends. He loved to talk on the phone so much that his family called him “the operator.” Life was sometimes difficult, but now he is free. He will be sadly missed by his family and friends, as he left them too soon. Rhodes-Burross is survived by his parents, David and Kristen Rhodes Burross of Long Neck; a son, Nicholas Burross, and his mother, Tara Mitchell of Philadelphia, Pa.; maternal grandparents, Arthur L. “Butchie-Boy” Rhodes Jr. and his wife, Nancy, of Bressler, Pa. and Judith Miller of Harrisburg, Pa.; paternal grandmother, Imogene Glimpse of Sardis, Tenn.; two sisters, Jessica Burross of Savannah, Tenn. and Kelly-Linn Burross of Long Neck; five uncles, William Rhodes, Arthur Rhodes III, Michael Hoover, Steven Hoover and Larry Hoover; three aunts, his “Aunt Nimmy” Stacey Avery of Steelton, Pa., Lisa Burross and Teresa Clark; a host of cousins, other relatives and friends.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, June 26, 2008, at the Prince of Peace Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Roman Catholic Church, 815 S. 2nd Street, Steelton, Pa. 17113. In lieu of flowers, a trust fund has been set up to take care of his son. The family asks for contributions to the account of Nicholas M. Burross, Acct. #61526390, c/o Wilmington Trust Co., Rodney Square North, 1100 N. Market St., Wilmington, DE 19890

Dirk R. Sockriter, 54, of Millsboro, Del., died suddenly at his home on Tuesday, June 10, 2008.

Sockriter was preceded in death by his sister, Deborah Sockriter Beard; his father, Russell J. Sockriter; and his mother, Hilda Chandler Sockriter. He is survived by two sons, Brian and Scott Sockriter, both of Millsboro; two brothers, Kevin Sockriter of Laurel, Del. and Myron Sockriter of Roxana, Del.; three sisters, Celeste Hastings of Dagsboro, Del., Sylvia Wilkerson, also of Dagsboro, and Mellissa Collins of Millsboro; two grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Funeral services were scheduled for Friday, June 13, 2008, with interment in Roxana Cemetery, Roxana. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions in his memory to the American Heart Association, 600 N. Dup

Hilda L. Widgeon, 88, of Berlin, Md., passed away Thursday, June 12, 2008, at home. She was a homemaker and loved playing bingo, as well as visits to Atlantic City, Dover and Harrington.

Widgeon was preceded in death by her parents, Oscar and Ray Quillen Pusey; her husband, John V. Widgeon; two daughters, Joyce M. Widgeon and Anita K. Dennis. She is survived by four sons, Larry V. Widgeon and his wife, Judy, of Berlin, Md., David P. Widgeon and his wife, Faye, of Salisbury, Md., Robert E. Widgeon and his wife, Taffy, of Spokane, Wash., and John G. Widgeon and his wife, Linda, of Bishopville, Md.; 10 grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren.
Graveside services were scheduled for Monday, June 16, 2008, with interment in Evergreen Cemetery, Berlin, Md. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations in her name to Coastal Hospice, P.O. Box 1733, Salisbury, MD 21802.

James B. Weisman, 65, of Dagsboro, Del., formerly of Baltimore, Md., passed away Thursday, May 15, 2008, at home.

Weisman is survived by his wife, Janet S. Weisman; a brother, Ronald A. Weisman; two sisters, Patricia Booth and Charlene Engles; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, June 14, 2008, at the St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, State Street, Millsboro, Del., with a reception to follow. Interment will be in the St. Mark’s Columbarium.

Philip A. Smith, 54, of Selbyville, Del., passed away Friday, June 6, 2008, at Beebe Medical Center, Lewes, Del. He was a roofing contractor for 25 years and owned Philip Smith Roofing in Selbyville. He was a life member and past chief of the Selbyville Volunteer Fire Co., a member of Salem United Methodist Church in Selbyville, and a member of the Selbyville Elks Lodge and the Roxana Moose Lodge. He loved baseball and was an avid Yankees fan.

Smith was preceded in death by his father, George F. Smith Jr.; and his sister, Lana Rae Williams. He is survived by his mother, Alice Lee Jones Smith of Selbyville; a brother, G. Frank Smith III and his fiancée, Renee Keen, of Selbyville; three nephews, Dr. Sean Williams, Nathan and Brian Smith; and his faithful dog, Zeno.

Funeral services were scheduled for Wednesday, June 11, 2008, with interment in Redmen’s Cemetery, Selbyville. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made to the Selbyville Volunteer Fire Co., P.O. Box 88, Selbyville, DE 19975.

Marie A. “Rhoda” Schwab, 61, of Ocean View, Del., passed away Sunday, June 8, 2008, at the Beebe Medical Center in Lewes, Del. She was a member of the PETA organization.

Schwab was preceded in death by her parents, Stanley and Conchetta (Capone) Dennis; and her granddaughter, Makayla Renee Dunston. She is survived by three daughters, Wendy Schwab Wisniewski and her husband, Chris, Cindy Dunston and her husband, Sammy, and Robin Jarvis and her husband, Tom; and three grandchildren, Amanda, Chucky and Tori.

Friends and family may call on Thursday, June 12, 2008, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the chapel of Melson Funeral Services on West Avenue in Ocean View. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions to Safe Haven Animal Sanctuary, P.O. Box 430, Nassau, DE 19969.

John Kenneth West, 82, of Dagsboro, Del., passed away Sunday, June 1, 2008, at Atlantic Shores Nursing & Rehabilitation Center, Millsboro, Del. He was an over-the-road truck driver for Perdue Inc. for 20 years. He attended Bayshore Community Church in Gumboro, Del. He loved fishing and being and working outdoors.

West was preceded in death by his parents, John and Elizabeth Short West. He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Betty Revel West; a daughter, Janet Hudson of Dagsboro; and a granddaughter, Sheila Hudson of Millsboro.

Funeral services will be held Friday, June 6, 2008, at 1 p.m. at the Watson Funeral Home, 211 S. Washington Street, Millsboro, where friends may call at noon. Interment will be in Prince Georges Cemetery in Dagsboro. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that contributions be made to the Delaware Hospice Center, 100 Patriots Way, Milford, DE 19963; or to the American Diabetes Association, P.O. Box 11454, Alexandria, VA 22312.

Emily A. Wright Ott, 93, of Mountville, Pa., formerly of Swan Keys, Selbyville, Del., passed away Friday, May 30, 2008, at St. Anne’s Retirement Community, Columbia, Pa. She was a factory worker for Robinson Tile, Morrisville, Pa., for 30 years. She was of the Protestant faith.

Ott was preceded in death by her parents, Wilson and Mary Pepper Burrows; her husband, James E. Wright; and her husband, Arthur Ott; a brother, Harry Burrows; and a granddaughter, Debbie Felver. She is survived by one son, James E. Wright and his wife, Berta Meadows Wright, of Fenwick Island, Del.; one daughter, Judith E. Spitzo of Mountville, Pa.; three grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren.

Private services were held for the family, with interment in Forrest Hills Memorial Park, Philadelphia, Pa.

Virginia M. “Ginny” Osowski, 86, of Millsboro, Del., formerly of Wilmington, Del., passed away Monday, June 2, 2008, at the Renaissance Health Care Center in Millsboro. She was a retired restaurant hostess for the Dinner Bell, the Lamp Post and Bob Evans restaurants, all in the Rehoboth Beach area.

Osowski was preceded in death by her parents, Dominick and Domenica (D’Alizio) Palmarella; and her husband, Walter J. Osowski. She is survived by her son, William J. Osowski and his wife, Jacqueline, of Smyrna, Del.; her daughter, Lonnie Brown of Rehoboth Beach; her brother, Ernest Palmarella of Wilmington; her sister, Lena O’Toole and her husband, John, of Wilmington; two grandchildren, Ed Brown and his wife, Maureen, of Rehoboth Beach and Tara Brown, also of Rehoboth Beach; three great-grandchildren, Connor, Jordan and Nolan Brown; and many nieces and nephews.

A Memorial Mass will be held on Friday, June 6, 2008, at noon at St. Edmund’s Catholic Church in Rehoboth Beach, King Charles and Laurel Street, where friends may call after 11 a.m. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions to Meals on Wheels of Rehoboth Beach, 32409 Lewes-Georgetown Hwy., Lewes, DE 19958.

Welton J. Murray, 79, of Selbyville, Del., formerly of Whaleyville, Md., passed away Sunday, May 25, 2008, in Atlantic General Hospital, Berlin, Md. He had been a security officer for many years and had also been a farmer. He was a member of Salem United Methodist Church in Selbyville and resided with his brother and sister-in-law, Lacey and Carmetah Murray.

Murray was preceded in death by his parents, Curtis W. and Lillie Mae Baker Murray; and his sister, Juanita Simpler. He is survived by a brother, Lacey Murray Sr. of Selbyville; a nephew, Lacey Murray Jr. of Ocean City, Md.; a niece, Saundra Wolstenholme of Springfield, Va.; two great-nieces; and four great-great nieces and nephews.

Funeral services were scheduled for Thursday, May 29, 2008, with interment in Redmen’s Cemetery, Selbyville, Del. The family suggests that, in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Salem United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 410, Selbyville, DE 19975; or Selbyville Vol. Fire Co., Ambulance Fund, P.O. Box 88, Selbyville, DE 19975.

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.