MORNING STAR ✳ NOVEMBER 9 - 15, 2006 Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.delmarvaobits. com.
Franklin E. Melson, Sr. 84 Franklin Elmer Melson, Sr. of Bridgeville, passed away Tuesday, Oct. 31, 2006 at Nanticoke Memorial Hospital in Seaford. Born in Bridgeville on June 11, 1922, a son of S. Elmer and Helen Benson Melson. He was a graduate of the Bridgeville High School Class of 1940 and worked for E.I. DuPont Co. of Seaford, retiring after 42 years of dedicated service. He was a life member of the Historical Vintage Car Club of Delaware, a member of the Trinity United Methodist Church of Dublin Hill. He was a former 4-H leader and a member of the WPS Seaford Chapter. Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, the former Beatrice Closson, who passed away Nov. 13, 1994. He is survived by three sons, Franklin E. Melson, Jr. and his wife the Rev. Diane E. Melson of Bridgeville, Richard C. Melson and his wife Janice of Wilmington, and S. Mark Melson and his wife Fannie of Bridgeville. He is also survived by one sister, Betty Lou Swain and her husband George of New Castle, and by seven grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. His funeral service was on Saturday, Nov. 4, at Williamson Funeral Home, Federalsburg, Md., with the Rev. Diane E. Melson officiating. Interment was in Bloomery Cemetery in Federalsburg, Md. The family requests that donations be made to the Del. 4-H Foundation, 113 Townsend Hall, 531 South College Avenue, Newark, DE 19716-2210; or to the Trinity United Methodist Church of Dublin Hill, 4385 Dublin Hill Road, Bridgeville, DE 19933.
Herman Harrison, 81 Herman “Jack” Harrison of Millsboro, died Friday, Oct. 13, 2006 at Green Valley Terrace Nursing Home in Millsboro. He was preceded in death by his parents, William H. Harrison and Hattie E. Harrison. Mr. Harrison was a retired mechanic for Delmarva Power and Light. He was a member of Bethany United Methodist Church near Millsboro. He was a past member of Station #81, Laurel, Station #79, Gumboro, and New Castle fire companies. He was also a member of Masonic Hope Lodge #4 of Laurel and The Scottish Rite of Wilmington. A graduate of Laurel High School Class of 1943. He is survived by his wife, Betty G. Harrison of Millsboro; three daughters, Donna F. Saunders of Pennsylvania, Dori Cummings of Seaford and Rita Leath of Denver, Pa.; grandchildren, Cathie Tyler, Marcie Hassett, Kyle, Phillip and Mallory Leath. Great grandchildren, Hunter and Logan Tyler and Lanie Hassett. His funeral service and Masonic Service was on Oct. 17 at the Hannigan, Short, Disharoon Funeral Home, Laurel. The pastor Joe Roszin officiated. Internment was in Union Cemetery in Georgetown. Contributions may be sent to Bethany U.M. Church, c/o Janice Vickers, 19930 Lowes Crossing Road, Millsboro, DE 19966
Arnold A. Sanders, Sr., 80 Arnold A. Sanders, Sr. of Laurel, died Oct. 29, 2006 at Nanticoke Memorial Hospital in Seaford. Mr. Sanders was born in Wilmington, a
son of Theodore and Helen Sanders, who predeceased him. He retired from the DuPont Company in Kentucky in the Human Resources department. He was a Navy Veteran. He is survived by his wife Helga Sanders of Laurel; a son Arnold A. Sanders, Jr. of Elliott City, Md.; a brother, Donald Sanders of Wilmington; four sisters, Iona Boyer of Wilmington, Loretta Bowden of New Castle, Winifred MacCari of Bear, Mildred Pladinetti of New Castle; and several nieces and nephews also survive him. All services were private. Arrangements are in the care of the Hannigan, Short, Disharoon Funeral Home, Laurel.
Mary Catherine Hudson, 87 Mary Catherine Hudson of Georgetown died Wednesday, Nov. 1, 2006, at Beebe Medical Center in Lewes. Mrs. Hudson was born in Georgetown, a daughter of George W. and Leatie Belle (Rogers) Mitchell. She was a personal secretary for Tunnell & Raysor in Georgetown for 35 years. She was a member of Wesley United Methodist Church in Georgetown, Wesley United Methodist Women, Sunshine Class and AARP. She also volunteered many hours for Milford Memorial Hospital and the Robin Hood Thrift Shop in Georgetown. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Harold W. Hudson in May 15, 2006; and a sister, Tillie Hastings. She is survived by a daughter, Georgeann H. White and her husband, Thomas V. White of Millsboro; two grandchildren, Alison C. White and Kyle V. White; a brother-in-law, Donald L. Hudson and his wife Lois of Frankford; a niece, Gail Hudson; a great niece, Brittany Hudson; a nephew, Guy R. Hudson and his wife, Lauren; a great niece, Morgan Hudson and a great nephew, Taylor Hudson. Her service was on Saturday, Nov. 4, in the Chapel of Short Funeral Services, Georgetown. Interment was in Union Cemetery, Georgetown.
Jon Jennings Spicer, 51 Jon J. Spicer passed away on Sunday, Nov. 5, 2006 in West Chester, Pa. Mr. Spicer was born Sept. 7, 1955, the son of Jennings and Ann Spicer. He is survived by his parents and a sister, Anne E. Spicer of Groton, Conn. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, Nov. 11, at St. John’s United Methodist Church, Pine and Poplar streets, Seaford. Memorial contributions may be made to “The Melanoma Research Foundation, c/o Dr. Lynn Schuchter, University of Pennsylvania, 3400 Spruce St., Philadelphia, PA 19104.
Harry Lester Collins, 86 Harry Lester Collins formerly of Parsonsburg, Md., died Thursday, Nov. 2, 2006 at Nanticoke Memorial Hospital. He was born Aug. 30, 1920, near Federalsburg, the son of Harry Jefferson Collins and Myrtle Ida Fluharty Collins. He loved to work and was working as a machinist at Perdue Farms in his 80s. He visited local jails and the homeless. He donated supplies to area shelters. Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by two brothers and two sisters, Charles Woodrow Collins, Roland Collins, Lillie White, and Hazel Murphy. A special friend, Helen Hopkins, preceded him in death. He is survived by a sister, Alice R.
Bennett of Seaford, and many nieces and nephews. His funeral service was held on Nov. 4, at the Framptom Funeral Home in Federalsburg with the Rev. Dale Evans officiating. Interment followed in Hillcrest Cemetery in Federalsburg.
I. Jane Garner, 89 I. Jane Garner of Laurel, formally of Hecla Park, Pa., passed away on Nov. 2, 2006 at Nanticoke Hospital in Seaford. Born on Nov. 27, 1916, in Walker Township, she was the daughter of William L. and Iantha E. Dietrich Clevenstine. On Aug. 28, 1938 in State College, Pa., she married William H. Garner who passed away on Aug. 16, 2001. Mrs. Garner was a 1936 graduate of Hublersburg High School. She was employed as a Loan Officer at Wilmington Trust in Laurel, retiring in 1981. Mrs. Garner was of the protestant faith. She was a member of the New York Chapter of the Eastern Star. Along with her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by four brothers, W. Fred Clevenstine, Harold Clevenstine, Malcolm Clevenstine, Emory Clevenstine; and one sister, Henrietta Shreckengast. She is survived by; one daughter, Iantha J. Steiman and her husband Richard of Lewes; one son, William H. Garner, Jr. of Laurel; one grandson, Marc A. Steiman and his wife Barbara of Lewes; and one great-grandson, Nathaniel Garner Steiman of Lewes. Mrs. Garner funeral services were on Nov. 7, at Wetzler Funeral Service Inc., in Bellefonte with the Rev. Douglas Elder officiating. Burial followed at Centre County Memorial Park, College Township. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association, at 501 Howard Ave, Bldg D, Suite 101, Altoona, PA 16601; or to the Nanticoke Memorial Hospital, 801 Middleford Road, Seaford, DE 19973.
William Thomas Leonard, 68 William Thomas Leonard of Millsboro died Thursday, Nov. 2, 2006. He was a son of Milton and Agnes Mumford Leonard, who predeceased him. Mr. Leonard enjoyed building, counseling, kids, westerns, teasing and William Leonard playing jokes. He was retired from Mountaire Farms in the sanitation department. Mr. Leonard is survived by his children, William Stokes and wife Dale of Texas, Juan C. Leonard and wife Gloria of Millsboro, Derrick Powell of Millsboro, Sabrina Shelton and husband Charles of Frankford, Princella Waples and husband John of Georgetown, Alica Leonard of Selbyville; brothers and sisters, Harrison Mumford of Chester, Pa., Milton Leonard of Berlin, Md., Carl Leonard of Slaughter Neck, Mae Hopkins of Laurel, Ester Hudson of Millsboro; and 12 grandchildren. His service was on Nov. 8, at the Millsboro Seventh Day Adventist Church, Millsboro, with Pastor Cory Matlock officiating. Interment was in Millsboro Seventh Day Adventist Church Cemetery, Cordrey Road, Millsboro. Arrangement were by Watson Funeral Home, Millsboro.
PAGE 29 Letters of condolence may be emailed to: Watson Funeral Home Delmarvaobits. com or Watsonfh.com
Christopher Patchett III, 1 month Christopher Eric Patchett III of Bridgeville, died Friday, Nov. 3, 2006, at Christiana Medical Center in Newark. Christopher was loved very much for the short time he was here. He was the son of Christopher Eric Patchett II and Krista (Young) Patchett. He is also survived by many relatives and friends. Funeral services will be held on Friday, Nov. 10, at 2 p.m., at Parsell Funeral Homes & Crematorium, Hardesty Chapel, 202 Laws St., Bridgeville, where friends may call from 1 to 2 p.m. prior to the services. Interment will be at bridgeville Cemetery, Bridgeville. Memorial contributions are suggested to the March of Dimes, Eastern Shore Chapter, 917-A Snow Hill Road, Salisbury, MD 21801.
Frederick N. Truitt, Sr., 81 Frederick N. Truitt, Sr. of Bridgeville died peacefully at home on Sunday, Nov. 5, 2006. He was born Aug. 19, 1925 in Bridgeville, a son of Fred A. Truitt and Helen Newton Truitt Webb, who predeceased him. Mr. Truitt enjoyed traveling with his wife of 61 years, Anna Ash Truitt, playing golf and fishing. Mr. Truitt had a long career as a sales representative with the Hardware Supply Company retiring in 1990. In addition to his wife, he is survived by four children, Mary Eskridge and her husband Micki of Milford, Shirley Downes of Greenwood, Rick Truitt of Bridgeville, and Carol Short and her husband Robin of Bridgeville; nine grandchildren; and 17 great-grandchildren. A graveside service was held on Nov. 8, at Bridgeville Cemetery, with the Rev. William K. Thomas officiating. Friends called prior to the service at Parsell Funeral Homes & Crematorium, Bridgeville. The family suggests memorial contributions be made to the Bridgeville Ambulance, P.O. Box 727, Bridgeville, DE 19933.
Paul H. Jestice, 93 Paul H. Jestice of Laurel, died Monday, Nov. 6, 2006 at Nanticoke Memorial Hospital in Seaford. Born in Laurel, he was the son of Isaac and Arrie Jestice. He loved farming, and was a farmer his whole life. His favorite pass time was riding around the beautiful country side. He was a member of the Old School Primitive Baptist Church. Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Olive Whaley Jestice; a son, Dale Jestice; a brother, Raymond Jestice; a sister, Mattie Krouch, a granddaughter, Hope Brittingham. He is survived by two daughters, Doris Larrimore and her husband Charles of Laurel, and Deena Hitchens and her husband, Randall of Georgetown; a daughterin-law, Evelyn Jestice of Laurel; four grandchildren, Jason Jestice, Sarah Prettyman, Joshua Hitchens, Megan Hitchens; one great-grandson, Coleman Jestice; and several nieces and nephews. His funeral service will be held Thursday, Nov. 9, at 1 p.m., at Hannigan-ShortDisharoon Funeral Home, 700 West St., Laurel, with Elder Elbert Robbins officiating. Interment will be in Laurel Hill Cemetry, Laurel. Friends may call one hour prior to the funeral service here at the funeral home.