Obituaries

Demmy O. Merritt, 64, of Dagsboro, died Saturday, June 17, 2006, at Peninsula Regional Medical Center, Salisbury, Md.

A self-made businessman, Merritt founded Merritt Marine Construction in Selbyville in 1964. At the time of his death he was still actively involved in the business, along with his son, John. He took great pride in his work and the relationships he formed with his customers over the years.
When he wasn’t working, he loved boating and fishing.

He is survived by his wife of 44 years, Janice H. Merritt; three sons, John A. Merritt, Clifton O. Merritt and Russell E. Merritt; one sister, Ruth Beauchamp; and four grandchildren, Pamela, Julie, Nathan, and Jackson. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his stepfather, Preston Hall, and his grandmother, Edith Truitt.

Funeral services were scheduled for Friday, June 23, at 11 a.m. at Hastings Funeral Home in Selbyville, with internment at Dagsboro Redmen’s Cemetery, Dagsboro.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made to American Heart Association, Professional Park, Suite 201A, Georgetown, DE 19947 or to a charity of your choice.

Josephat A. ‘Joe’ Dextras, 89

Josephat A. “Joe” Dextras, 89, of Selbyville, formerly of College Park, Md., died Sunday, June 18, 2006, at Atlantic General Hospital, Berlin, Md. He had been a truck driver for many years.

He was a member of St. Luke’s Catholic Church in Ocean City, Md., the Knights of Columbus and the Teamsters Local 639 in Washington, D.C.

He is survived by his son, George Dextras and his wife Donna; his stepson, James Shugart and his wife Pat; one brother, Ovila Dextras; one sister, Helena Marcoux; six grandchildren, Allen Dextras, Debbi Dextras, Pam Wood, Lisa Harris, James Shugart and Robert Shugart; seven great-grandchildren; and three great-great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife Daisy E. Dextras and a brother, Donat Dextras.

Funeral services were scheduled for June 21 at Chapel at Fort Lincoln, Brentwood, Md.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks for prayers or masses in his name.

Nicholas G. ‘Nick’ Cotsaris, 76

Nicholas G. “Nick” Cotsaris, 76, of Selbyville, formerly of Baltimore, Md., died Saturday, June 17, 2006, at Atlantic General Hospital, Berlin, Md. He owned and operated Nick’s Barbershop in Baltimore.

He was a member of St. George Greek Orthodox Church in Ocean City, Md., and was a veteran of the Greek Air Force.

He is survived by his wife, Anne Cotsaris; two sons, George N. Cotsaris and Nicholas G. Cotsaris; two sisters, Helen and Stathoula, of Greece; five grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

Funeral services were scheduled for June 22, at St. George Greek Orthodox Church, Ocean City, Md., with internment at St. Demetrios Cemetery, Baltimore.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made to St. George Orthodox Church, 8805 Coastal Highway, Ocean City, MD 21842 or St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church, P.O. Box 28218 Baltimore, MD 21234.

MaryCollette Smith, 73

MaryCollette Smith, 73, of Selbyville, formerly of Landover Hills, Md., died Tuesday, June 13, 2006, at Coastal Hospice at the Lake, Salisbury, Md. She had been a registered nurse for many years.

She was a member of St. John Neumann Catholic Church in Ocean Pines, Md.

She is survived by her husband, Arthur T. Smith; two sons, Kenneth A. Smith and his wife Anne, and Kevin T. Smith and his wife Stacy; two daughters, Karen A. Hogan and her husband Larry, and Kathleen F. Trainum and her husband Robert; two sisters, Barbara Youngblood and Catherine Zweibel; six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by a sister, Ann Sweeney, in 2004.

Funeral services were scheduled for June 19 at St. John Neumann Catholic Church, Ocean Pines, Md., with internment at Maryland Veterans Cemetery, Crownsville, Md.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made to Coastal Hospice at the Lake, P.O. Box 1733 Salisbury, MD 21802.

Paul R. Prato, 74

Paul R. Prato, 74, of Millsboro, died Wednesday June 14, 2006, at home.

He was a graduate of Manhattan School of Printing in New York City. He was an Army veteran. He had been a member of the New York Typographical Union #6 and Atlantic City Type Union #377. He retired from the Press of Atlantic City in 1993. He had been a member of Hook & Ladder Co. #1 Congress, N.Y., and Centerton Fire Company in Pittsgrove Twp. N.J., a member of the American Legion Post 95 Bridgeton, N.J., and Post 28 Millsboro. He enjoyed collecting toy fire engines.

He was also a member of St. Andrews Episcopal Church in Bridgeton, N.J.

He is survived by his ever-loving wife of 37 years, Ellen D. Prato; four children: Raymond, Paul, Linda, and Luann, several grandchildren, and two stepchildren Ed and Ellen.

Funeral services were scheduled for June 19 at the Delaware Memorial Veterans Cemetery, Millsboro, Delaware where Military Honors will be rendered. Internment will be on site.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made to Delaware Hospice Southern Division, 600 DuPont Hwy. Georgetown, DE 19947

Brenda L. Shockley, 38

Brenda L. Shockley, 38 of Bridgeville, formally of Millsboro, died Thursday June 15, 2006, at home after a long illness. She was a loving wife and mother. She was an assistant manager of the County Bank in Georgetown. She enjoyed camping, going to the beach, travel and NASCAR. Her favorite driver was Jeff Gordon.

Shockley and her family attended Millsboro Wesleyan Church.

She is survived by her husband, John A. Shockley, one son, Cameron T. Heck, her mother, Shirley M. Townsend Hitchens; and one brother, Michael W. Hitchens. She was preceded in death by her father, William R. Hitchens.

Funeral services were scheduled for June 20 at Watson Funeral Home, Millsboro, with internment at Carey’s Cemetery, Millsboro.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made to Crossing The Finish Line, 170 West Germantown Pike, Suite C-3, Norristown, Pa. 19401

Roger Street

Roger Street, of Bethany Beach, formerly of Iowa, died June 15, 2006, at home, surrounded by family and friends.

Street had been valiantly fighting cancer for two and a half years and was a source of inspiration in good humor, faith and perseverance to all who witnessed his battle, family members said. He was an “administrator” par excellence, they added, saying his excellent administrative abilities shone throughout his 23 year career with Braniff Airlines and his position as CEO of Air Illinois in Carbondale, Ill.

That was followed by settling in Bethany Beach, where he was an entrepreneur, Realtor and community leader. He was active in the Lions Club, was an officer and active member of the Bethany Beach Volunteer Fire Dept, and served on the Bethany Beach Town Council from 1987 until 1990, when he accepted an appointment to the Foreign Service and decided to show his family the world.

He was a faithful and loving husband, a devoted and proud father and grandfather, a loyal friend and a valued employee. Street always attracted the respect and admiration of his coworkers because of his dedication to excellence in all areas. He was a “can do” person and that attitude was certainly reflected in his final and most important battle in life.

He is survived by his wife of 30 years, Susan; daughter Kathey Hoover and her husband Keith; three sons, Steven Street and his wife Leigh, Brian Street and his wife Diane, and Patrick Street; two grandchildren, Christi and Samuel. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a granddaughter, Ainsley Street of McKinney, Texas.

A memorial service was held at Mariners Bethel United Methodist Church in Ocean View on Sunday, June 18, and final burial was in Hampton, Iowa on June 21.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made to Feed the Children, P.O. Box 36, Oklahoma City, OK 73101-0036 or to Delaware Hospice, 600 N. DuPont Highway, #107, Georgetown, DE 19947.