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MORNING STAR • JUNE 24 - 30, 2010
Obituaries Arvaline L. Benton, 89
Arvaline L. (Whaley) Benton of Seaford, passed away on Tuesday, June 15, 2010, at home with her daughter at her side. She was born on Oct. 19, 1920, a daughter of the late Charles and Annie Whaley. She was a lifelong member of Centenary Church. She was a devoted mother and grandmother. During her husband’s 40 year career with the DuPont de Nemours Company, the family moved 27 times. She lovingly made each location “home.” She enjoyed being a homemaker, being involved in her children’s activities as well as being active in numerous community groups. She knew no strangers, only friends she just met. She has many people who love her for her gracious spirit. She was preceded in death by her husband of 63 years, Charles Ward Benton; a son, David; her brothers, Leslie Whaley, Albert Whaley and Chester Whaley; and her sister, Elsie Palmer. Mrs. Benton is survived by a son, Charles Bruce Benton and his wife Carole of Lewes; her daughter, Sandra Townsend of Seaford; grandchildren, Shannon Benton of Alexandria, Va., Bryan Townsend of Lihue, Hawaii, and Erin DeMaggio and her husband Greg of College Park, Md.; and many nieces and nephews. Services were held on Tuesday, June 22, at Cranston Funeral Home. The Rev. K. Wayne Grier officiated. The committal service will be at 2 p.m. on Thursday, June 24, at the Veterans’ Cemetery in Millsboro. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Arvaline Benton’s memory to the charity of your choice or to Compassionate Care Hospice.
Wm. Dale Brubaker, 57
Wm. Dale Brubaker, beloved father and husband, died Tuesday, June 15, 2010, at his home in Laurel. He was born April 21, 1953, in Milford, a son of Alton “Dutch” Brubaker and his wife, Ruby of Delmar and Fay Downing and her husband, Gil of Salisbury. Dale was a graduate of Delmar High School and worked alongside his wife as a self employed poultry farmer. He previously worked in construction with Gillis Gilkerson as a supervisor. He was an avid hunter and fisherman and a member of Pete’s Brubaker Hill Hunt Club. In addition to his parents, he is survived by his wife, Diane; a daughter, Melissa Fay Brubaker of Delmar; a son, Aaron Dale Brubaker and his fiancé, Ashley Ownby of Delmar; his cherished grandchildren, Payton Dale and Olivia Catherine Brubaker of Delmar; a sister, Gwen Shedaker and her husband, Phil of Laurel; mother and father-in-law, Norman and MaryLee LeCates of Laurel; a brother-in-law, Jim LeCates and his wife, Fran of Laurel; a sister-in-law, Shirl Figgs
of Laurel; a stepdaughter, Tara Banks and her husband, Jeff of Delmar; a stepbrother, David Downing and his wife, Phyllis of Delmar; stepsisters, Donna Thomas and her husband, Larry of Princess Anne, Md. and Debbie Culver and her husband, Rick of Felton. He is also survived by several nieces and nephews. A memorial service was held on Monday, June 21, at Short Funeral Home, Delmar. The Rev. Dale Evans officiated. Memorial contributions may be made in his memory to Delmar Volunteer Fire Department, PO Box 143, Delmar, DE 19940, or Laurel Fire Department, 205 W. 10th St., Laurel, DE 19956. Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.shortfh.com.
Henry M. Dunham, 93
Henry Manning Dunham passed away peacefully on Saturday, June 12, 2010, with his loving family at his side. Henry was born in Scranton, Pa., on Oct. 29, 1916, the son of Henry and Gladys Dunham. He grew up in Scranton and attended Williams College and then received his master’s degree from the University of Illinois. After college, he joined the duPont Company and was transferred to Sylacauga, Ala. He worked in the duPont wartime plant where he met Jean Kidd. They were married in 1943 and remained married for 67 years. After the war, Henry and Jean were transferred to Seaford, where he worked at the new duPont Nylon Plant. Beyond work, he was very involved in St. John’s United Methodist Church where he served in many capacities for 50 years. He loved the arts, was an avid photographer and, over the years, accumulated an extensive collection of classical music and movies. Travel with his wife and family was always an anticipated pleasure. After 40 years with duPont, he decided that Seaford was the best retirement community of all and so it was that the couple remained and became residents of the Methodist Manor House, a move that gave him much joy and contentment. Surviving Henry is his wife, Jean, daughter Barbara and son-in-law, Jonathan Heuberger. His son, James died in 2010, leaving a granddaughter, Lee Patricia Dunham. He is also survived by two nieces, Sally Sarkissian and Nancy Letts and brother-in-law, Robert Kidd. A celebration of life service for Henry Dunham will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the Delaware Hospice Center, 100 Patriots Way, Milford, DE 19963 or the Methodist Manor House Benevolence Fund, 1001 Middleford Rd., Seaford, DE 19973.
Ellison B. Skidmore, 74
Ellison “Sonny” Bundick Skidmore, of Millsboro, passed away Monday, June 14, 2010, at Cadia Health Care-Renaissance with family at his side. He was born July 11, 1935, in North Hampton County, Capeville, Va., the son of the late Ellison Edgar and Ruby Bundick Skidmore. Sonny and his parents moved to Sea-
ford where he first worked at the Dupont Plant. Mr. Skidmore spent most of his career as a telephone repairman with Diamond State Telephone Company until retiring in the 1980’s. It was his second career as a fisherman that was his passion and true love. Mr. Skidmore was an avid fisherman who enjoyed being on the water. With the help of his son, Mark Skidmore, he built and captained four charter boats, The Shamrock. Together they ran a deep sea charter boat business out of the Indian River Inlet, North Side, for 13 years. Mr. Skidmore shared many years camping with his family at Cherrystone Campground in Cheriton, Va., where he enjoyed fishing, boating, crabbing and digging for clams and oysters. He is survived by his son, Mark Skidmore of Georgetown; a daughter, Holly Marvel of Georgetown; and five grandchildren, Mark and Matthew Skidmore, Shannon, Kelsey and Michael Marvel. Funeral services were held on Friday, June 18, at Watson-Yates Funeral Home, Seaford. Burial was in Odd Fellows Cemetery. The family would like to thank the staff at the Renaissance and Delaware Hospice for their compassionate care and comfort.
Hattie B. Puckham, 69
After 15 courageous years battling Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), also known as “Lou Gehrig’s Disease,” with her family by her bedside, Hattie Bernetta Puckham, quietly and peacefully submitted to the “Will of Almighty God” on Thursday, June 17, 2010. She was born in Laurel, on April 10, 1941, to the late Richard and Anna Louise Cooper. Hattie attended Paul Laurence Dunbar School in Laurel, William C. Jason Comprehensive High School in Georgetown and Puckham Delaware State College in Dover. Hattie was a lifetime member of New Zion United Methodist Church in Laurel where she was also baptized. On April 26, 1963, she was joined in holy matrimony to Eugene Bernard Puckham. To this union are four children: Victor, Tamar (Tammy), Forrest and Anna (Amy). When her children entered school, Hattie worked as a teacher’s aide with the Laurel School District and then Kraft General Foods in Dover. She was later employed with the DuPont Plant in Seaford for 22 years where she operated the RDA machine. It was while working at DuPont when she was diagnosed with Lou Gehrig’s Disease forcing her into an early retirement. She leaves precious memories with her devoted caregiver and husband, Eugene B. Puckham; two sons, Victor (Iris) Puckham, Forrest (Verdine) Puckham; and two daughters, Tammy (John) Williams and Amy (Tyrone) Handy. Funeral services were held on Wednes-
day, June 23, at the United Deliverance Bible Center, Laurel. In lieu of flowers, any donations should be made to the ALS Association and mailed to 409 Center St., Laurel, DE 19956. Arrangements are in the care of Bennie Smith Funeral Home, Seaford. Letters of condolences may be sent and the guestbook may be signed at www.benniesmithfuneralhome.com.
Monroe M. Givens Sr., 79
Monroe Milton Givens Sr., of Seaford, died peacefully surrounded by his loving family on Saturday, June 19, 2010, at Nanticoke Memorial Hospital. He was born in Laurel, grew up in Concord and attended schools in Concord and Seaford. Monroe was a professional truck driver for 55 years, owner and operator of a trucking company, and a self-employed poultry, grain and produce farmer for over 50 years. He was a self taught mechanic, inventer, problem-solver, advisor and enjoyed helping others. He also enjoyed traveling, telling stories, spending time in Florida and with his family. He leaves a legacy of hard work, honesty and integrity to his children and will be deeply missed. He was a member of the AARP Chapter and the Delaware Farm Bureau. In addition to his parents, he was also preceded in death by two brothers, Melvin F. Givens and Olen C. Givens; and three sisters, Evelyn Waller-Smallcombe, Elsie Short-Bruisewitz and Georgia Timmons. Monroe will be dearly missed by his devoted wife of 60 years, Frances Lama Givens; two sons, Monroe (Monnie) Givens Jr. and wife Judith of Newark and Dosse Givens and wife Riva of Seaford; and three daughters, Mary Justice and husband Michael of Newark, Annelle O’Neal and husband Joseph of Laurel and Carolyn Kline and husband Raymond of Palmyra, Va. Also surviving are 12 grandchildren, Andrew O’Neal, Brian Givens, Laurie Tennis, Jamie Givens, Molly Givens, Randy O’Neal, Katie Davis, Eric Justice, Matthew Givens, Rachel Kline, Kara Kline and Cassidy Kline; and nine great-grandchildren. A funeral service will be held at noon on Friday, June 25, at Watson-Yates Funeral Home, Seaford, where friends and family may call one hour before the service. Burial will be in Blades Cemetery, Blades. Contributions may be made to Concord Missions Ministries, 25322 Church Rd., Seaford, DE 19973.
Death Notices Linda Louise Short, 55
Linda Louise Short of Seaford, died at her home on Wednesday, June 16, 2010. Graveside services were held at Bridgeville Cemetery in Bridgeville, on Monday, June 21. Pastor Joe LeCates officiated. Arrangements are in the care of Hannigan, Short, Disharoon Funeral Home, Laurel.