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Marjorie Van Riper Sheldon, 87
LEWES - Marjorie Van Riper Sheldon of Lewes died of natural causes Thursday, Jan. 9, 2003, in Beebe Medical Center, Lewes. She was 87.
Mrs. Sheldon was born in Paterson, N.J., daughter of the late Siely Van Riper and the late Annie Krim Van Riper.
She moved to Wilmington where she worked for Mullins Department Store for many years. Upon retiring, she moved to Lewes.
She is survived by a son and daughter-in-law, Clark "Pete" Sheldon and Carol Sheldon of Lewes; three grandchildren, to whom she was a devoted grandmother, and the respective spouses of two, Billy Sheldon of Lewes, David and Joan Carol Sheldon of Oak Orchard, near Lewes, and Cathy and Bruce Trethewey of Temple, Texas; three great-grandchildren, Brittany of Lewes and Matthew and Michael of Temple; three sisters, Mabel Iverstrom of Reston, Va., Betty Leitner of Florida and Kay Strom of New Jersey; and 10 nieces and nephews.
Services and burial will be private.
Instead of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions to the Good Shepherd Cat Sanctuary, 32600 Landing Lane, Delmar, MD 21857.
Arrangements by Parsell Funeral Homes & Crematorium, Atkins-Lodge Chapel, Lewes.
Alice Mae Blockson, 61
SEAFORD - Alice Mae Blockson of Seaford died of heart failure Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2003, in Peninsula Regional Medical Center, Salisbury, Md. She was 61.
Mrs. Blockson was born Aug. 4, 1941, in Seaford.
She was retired from doing domestic work for Don-Lee-Margin.
She was preceded in death by a son, Weldon Kilgoe.
She is survived by her husband, Edward T. Blockson, of Seaford; two sons and two daughters-in-law, Vaughn and Sunday Kilgoe of Seaford and Desmond and Tonya Kilgoe of Greenwood; two daughters, Lori Kilgoe of Seaford and Toya Blockson of Bridgeville; nine grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; two brothers, James Kilgoe and Fred Kilgoe, both of Seaford; two sisters, Mary Taylor of Boston and Shirlene Mason of Chicago; her father-in-law, John Ingram, and Mr. Ingram's wife, Evelyn Ingram, of Georgetown; her mother-in-law, Charlene Cannon of Seaford; and a host of cousins, nieces and nephews.
Services will be 1 p.m. Saturday in John Wesley United Methodist Church, Seaford, where friends may call two hours earlier.
Burial will be in Macedonia African Methodist Episcopal Cemetery.
Arrangements by Young's Funeral Home.
Elda Bush, 46
DOVER - Elda Bush of Dover died Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2002, in Bayhealth-Kent General Hospital, Dover. She was 46.
Ms. Bush was born June 30, 1956, in Bridgeville, daughter of the late Dollie Bush and Jacob Cannon. She was the youngest of four children.
She was a fun-loving person who loved to smile.
She is survived by four daughters, Tiffany Triplett and Turkessa Bush, both of Dover, and Jameeka Bush and Eboneke Triplett, both of Chester, Pa.; four sons, Edmond Triplett, Prentice Triplett, Reginald Bush and Derrick Bush, all of Wilmington; a sister, Minnie Wingo of Dover; a brother, Jimmy Bush and his wife of Dover; nine grandchildren; and a host of other relatives, nieces, nephews and friends.
Friends may call from 3 to 4 p.m. Saturday in the Bennie Smith Funeral Home, Dover.
Burial will be private.
John D. 'Dusty' Cumens Jr., 45
CLAYTON - John D. "Dusty" Cumens Jr. of Clayton died from cancer Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2003, in Christiana Hospital, Newark. He was 45.
Mr. Cumens was born March 12, 1957, in Wilmington, son of Barbara L. Stradley Lindinger of Millville.
He worked as a power plant operator for Conectiv, Delaware City, for more than 20 years.
Mr. Cumens enjoyed boating, fishing and being in the outdoors.
In addition to his mother, he is survived by his wife, Gail M. Davey Cumens; a daughter, Crista L. Pierson of Smyrna; a son, David J. Cumens at home; a brother, Jeffrey Cumens of Millville; and two sisters, Gail A. Bleacher of Hockessin and Connie C. Murray of Milton.
Services and burial will be private.
Instead of flowers, contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, 92 Reads Way, Suite 205, New Castle, DE 19720.
Arrangements by Faries Funeral Directors Inc., Smyrna.
Theresa M. (Rossi) Davis, 91
MIDDLETOWN - Theresa M. (Rossi) Davis of Middletown died peacefully Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2003, in St. Francis Hospital, Wilmington, with her family at her side. She was 91.
Mrs. Davis was born May 28, 1911, in Montenerodomo, Province of Chieti, Italy. She came to America when she was 9 years old.
She worked as a cook for many years and lived in Brack-Ex and also in the Mill Creek Trailer Park. In her later years, she lived with her daughter, Mary Jane, in Middletown.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Millard F. Davis; and a brother, Joseph Rossi.
She is survived by a son and daughter-in-law, Joseph "Doodle" and Geneva Davis of Newark; two daughters and two sons-in-law, Mary Jane Vilone and Fran Bailey, with whom she lived, and June and James "Bub" Hackney of Dover; a sister, Antoinette Mendolia of New York; five grandchildren, Sheri Wolfe, Dawn Simmons, Adam Davis, Shannon Hackney and U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Chris Hackney; and five great-grandchildren, Eric, Michael, Kyle, Kameron and Misti.
Services will be 1 p.m. Monday in the Daniels and Hutchison Funeral Home, 212 N. Broad St., Middletown, where friends may call one hour earlier.
Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery, Wilmington.
Rufina Marie Haskins Hopkins, 30
MONROE, N.C. - Rufina Marie Haskins Hopkins of Monroe died in an automobile accident Sunday, Jan. 5, 2003, in Prince George County Medical Center, Cheverly, Md. She was 30.
Mrs. Hopkins was born Feb. 28, 1972, in Wilmington, Del., daughter of Rufus Haskins of Newark, Del., and Ruth Rorie Haskins of Monroe.
She graduated from William Penn High School, New Castle Del.; received her bachelor of arts degree from Delaware State University, Dover; and a master's degree from Bowie State University of Maryland.
Mrs. Hopkins was a guidance counselor at East Elementary School, Monroe.
She enjoyed working the First Presbyterian Church special Christmas project in Monroe.
Mrs. Hopkins attended Flag Branch Baptist Church, Monroe, and was a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc., the Alpha Phi Alpha Angels, the North Carolina National Councilman Association, the National Teachers Association and the character education program of East Elementary School. She was a ACAtude step team director and etiquette trainer for young ladies and gentleman.
In addition to her parents, she is survived by her husband, Anthony M. Hopkins II, of the family home; a daughter, Princess Anaum Haskins Hopkins of the family home; and her grandfather, Clarence Rorie of Monroe.
Friends may call from 7 to 8:30 tonight in Harris Funeral Home, Monroe.
Services will be 2 p.m. Saturday in First Presbyterian Church, Monroe. The Rev. Rodney Evans and the Rev. Dale Jordan will officiate.
Burial will be in Lakeland Memorial Park, Monroe.
Clyde Milburn, 97
SMYRNA - Clyde Milburn of Smyrna died Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2003, in Bayhealth-Kent General Hospital, Dover. He was 97.
Mr. Milburn was born June 28, 1905, in Oxford, Pa.
Services will be 11 a.m. Monday in the Delaware Hospital for the Chronically Ill Chapel, Smyrna.
Burial will be in the Delaware Hospital for the Chronically Ill Cemetery, Smyrna.
Clarence Hudson Reed, 83
MILTON - Clarence Hudson Reed of Milton died Sunday, April 27, 2003, in Bayhealth-Milford Memorial Hospital, Milford. He was 83.
Mr. Reed was born in Milton, son of the late Delmar D. and Anna C. (Pepper) Reed.
He was a World War II U.S. Army veteran, with duty in northern France, serving with the 159th Infantry, Medical Detachment. He was awarded the Asiatic-Pacific Service Medal and the Good Conduct Medal.
Mr. Reed worked as a game warden for 25 years. He also worked in the Milton area as a farmer for many years. Earlier in his career, he worked for the Rehoboth Beach Police Department.
He had been a resident of, first, The Heritage Center at Milford, and then, of the Milford Center, for the past year and a half.
Mr. Reed was a past commander of the Broadkill Veterans of Foreign Wars Post, and a former Mason.
He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Naomi (Workman) Reed; a son and daughter-in-law, Norman D. and June Reed of Greenwood; two daughters and two sons-in-law, Nancy and Jerry Rockwell of Milford and Myrtis and Steve Wagner of Hebron, Md.; five grandchildren, Phillip Rockwell, Tammy Rockwell, Tiffany Reed, Wendy Alpaugh and Steve Wagner Jr.; and five great-grandchildren.
Services will be 2 p.m. Thursday in the chapel of Short Funeral Services, 416 Federal St., Milton, where friends may call one hour earlier.
Burial will be in Zion Cemetery, Milton.
Ruth M. Reese, 75
SEAFORD - Ruth M. Reese of Seaford died Friday, April 25, 2003, in Nanticoke Memorial Hospital, Seaford, surrounded by her loving family. She was 75.
Mrs. Reese was born Aug. 27, 1927, in Plymouth, Pa., the youngest of 11 children of the late Mathew and Mary Mahon.
She was educated at Harter High School in West Nanticoke, Pa., and was a graduate of Bradford Beauty Academy of Wilkes-Barre, Pa.
Mrs. Reese married her husband, William T. "Bill" Reeese, Nov. 24, 1949, in Plymouth, Pa. They moved to Seaford in 1952, where she quickly established a number of lifelong friendships. She was homemaker and mother for more than 50 years and was a true friend of all who knew her. She was particularly fond of little children, as they were of her. Her grandchildren were the apples of her eye.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by six brothers, Michael, John, Julius, Russell, Donald and Francis.
In addition to her husband of more than 53 years, she is survived by three sons and two daughters-in-law, Bill Reese Jr. and Marcia Reese of Newark, Bobby and Janice Reese of Seaford and David and Julie Reese of Plantation, Fla.; a daughter, Peggy Reese of Newark; four grandchildren, Kari of Newark, Scot of Seaford and Derek and Zachary, both of Plantation; a brother. Gerald Mahon, of Baltimore; and three sisters, Margaret Mullery and Rosemary Kocher, both of Plymouth, Pa., and Betty Demers of Edison, N.J.
Friends may call from 7 to 9 p.m. today in Cranston Funeral Home, 300 Shipley St. in Seaford.
Funeral Mass to celebrate her life will be 11 a.m. Wednesday in Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, 532 Stein Highway, Seaford.
Burial will be in Our Lady of Lourdes Cemetery in Blades.
Instead of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions to the Alzheimer's Association, 225 N. Michigan Ave., 17th Floor, Chicago, 1L 60601-7633; or to Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church.
William Berleigh Sargent, 38
MILLINGTON, Md. - William Berleigh Sargent of Millington died Wednesday, April 23, 2003, in Kent & Queen Anne's Hospital, Chestertown. He was 38.
Mr. Sargent was born in Cambridge, Mass., son of Donald R. Sargent of Maine and the late Virginia Cunningham Sargent.
He worked at Sailing Associates as a composite engineer.
He loved music and was a self-proclaimed one-man band. He played the guitar and sang and used electronic technology to round out the sound. He enjoyed watching the children skateboard. Mr. Sargent loved his wife and his family and always was willing to help anyone who needed help.
In addition to his father, he is survived by his wife, Lori Jean Fenske Sargent of Millington; two daughters, Jessica P. Sargent of Massachusetts and Hayleigh Elizabeth Sargent of Millington; a son, Tanner Allen Sargent of Millington; two brothers, Donald Sargent of Oakland, Maine, and Frank Sargent of Texas; and three sisters, Donna Megill and Hazel Ann Emery of Oakland and Lisa Sargent of Massachusetts.
Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Wednesday in Fellows, Helfenbein & Newnam Funeral Home, P.A., 370 W. Cypress St., Millington, where friends may call one hour earlier.
Burial will be in Asbury Cemetery, Millington.
Kevin D. Schuck, 43
VIENNA, Md. - Kevin D. Schuck of Vienna, formerly of Newark, Del., died Saturday, April 26, 2003, in Memorial Hospital, Easton. He was 43.
Mr. Schuck had worked for the Delaware Turnpike and was a member of Brick-layers Union Local 1.
He was preceded in death by his parents, William and Grace Conrad Slattery.
He is survived by three children, Jamie Schuck, Brandon Schuck and Erika Schuck, all of Wilmington, Del.; three brothers, Keith Schuck of Newark, William Slattery II of Texas and Sean Slattery of Wilmington; two sisters, Maggie Moore of Delmar, Del., and Mary Jo Kaczorowski of Wilmington; his fiancé, Shirley Mayhue of Vienna; a friend, Pete Smith of Vienna; and his former wife, Cheryl Walsh.
Friends may call from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Thursday in the Galena Funeral Home of Stephen L. Schaech, 118 W. Cross St. in Galena.
Graveside service will be 11 a.m. Thursday in Galena Cemetery, Galena.
Joseph M. Siemons, 21
MAGNOLIA - Joseph M. Siemons of Magnolia, formerly of Northfield, N.J., and Vacaville, Calif., died Friday, April 25, 2003, in Dover. He was 21.
Mr. Siemons was born in Harrisburg, Pa.
He attended Northfield elementary and middle schools, and graduated from Vacaville High School.
He loved to read. He enjoyed skateboarding, music and fishing, and was a whiz with computers. He took great pleasure in creating amateur films with his best friend. He was, perhaps, best-known for his sense of humor, intelligent wit and thoughtfulness. He was a kind and caring brother and son, and a loving and supportive friend.
Mr. Siemons also was very active in the Focaljet Auto Club.
He is survived by his parents, Glenn J. and Carol Siemons of Magnolia; paternal grandparents, Glenn E. and Catherine Siemons of Lykens, Pa.; a brother, Glenn Michael Siemons of Emmaus, Pa.; two sisters, Karen Tripician of Longport, N.J., and Amanda Siemons of the family home; three nephews; and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.
Friends may call from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday and from 9 to 10 a.m. Thursday in George H. Winnberg Funeral Home, 1707 New Road, Linwood, N.J.
Funeral Mass will be 10:30 a.m. Thursday in St. Bernadette's Church, Northfield.
Burial will be in Laurel Memorial Park, Pomona, N.J.
G. Francis Autman Jr., 71
HARTLY - G. Francis Autman Jr. of Hartly died Monday, April 28, 2003, in his home. He was 71.
Mr. Autman was born in Wilmington, son of Edythe McClure Autman of Wilmington and the late G. Francis Autman Sr.
He was a 1950 graduate of the Wilmington Friends School and, in 1954, was graduated from Middlebury College, where he received his bachelor of arts degree. In 1959, he received a degree in law from the Law School, University of Virginia, and received his master's degree from the Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania, in finance and banking in 1960.
Mr. Autman was a Korean War veteran of the U.S. Army.
He served as assistant to the treasurer of International Oil Corp. from 1960 to 1961, and later served as an associate with the law firm of Theisen and Lank until 1962. From 1963 until 1965, he served as assistant to the attorney general of Delaware, after which time he conducted the private practice of law. From 1977 through 1980, he served as executive vice president of the board of directors of the nonprofit corporation for improvement of the central business district of Wilmington. From 1981 through 1984, he returned to private law practice, and in 1985, served as an adjunct instructor in constitutional law and criminal law and its procedures at Delaware Technical and Community College, Terry Campus, Dover, until his retirement in 1996, after which he served for several years as an adjunct instructor at Wilmington College.
Mr. Autman was a former member of the board of directors of the Boys Clubs of Wilmington, was the first chairman of the Consumer Affairs Board of Delaware and had served as a member of the Bar of the Supreme Court of the United States and the Bar of the Supreme Court of the State of Delaware.
In addition to his father, he was preceded in death by a grandson, Brady Semans.
In addition to his mother, he is survived by his wife, Karen Mellish Autman of Hartly; three daughters and two sons-in-law, Sabra and Jeffrey Horvat of Dover, Dawn Autman of Bear and Elizabeth "Lisa" and Robin Semans of Felton; a sister, Lynne Erbach of Wilmington; two brothers, David Autman of Wilmington and Steve Autman of Chadds Ford, Pa.; three grandchildren, Mackenzi Semans and Madison Semans, both of Felton, and Elizabeth Hill of Bear; four step-grandchildren, Shannon Cunningham, Candice Horvat and Samantha Horvat, all of Pennsville, N.J., and Monica Horvat of Cincinnati; and a special friend of many years, Elizabeth "Petti" Cox of Dover.
Services will be 1 p.m. Friday at the Funeral Home of Michael J. Ambruso,1175 S. State St., Dover, where friends may call one hour earlier.
Burial will be in Barratt's Chapel Cemetery, near Frederica.
Dr. Ray F. Bowen, 59
GETTYSBURG, Pa. - Ray F. Bowen of Gettysburg died Sunday, April 27, 2003, in the Gettysburg Hospital. He was 59.
Dr. Bowen was born March 1, 1944 in Renovo, son of the late Max F. and Alice Smyth Bowen.
He was a 1962 graduate of Cameron County High School and received his undergraduate degree from Penn State University in 1967. He completed his studies at Kent State University in Ohio, receiving a doctorate in psychology. He later was employed at the Cleveland Clinic in Ohio. Dr. Bowen was a clinical psychologist in the Gettysburg area.
Dr. Bowen was involved in the Adams/Hanover Counseling Services and later went into private practice at Counseling & Psychology Associates in Gettysburg. He served on the staff of the Gettysburg Hospital and was an adjunct professor at Gettysburg College. He was a member of the American Psychology Association and the Pennsylvania Psychology Association. He had a lifelong interest in community and progressive politics and remained interested in football since his playing days at Cameron County High School.
He was predeceased in death by two brothers, Don Bowen and William Bowen.
He is survived by his wife Laura Fridrich Bowen; two sons, Nathan Bowen of Timonium, Md., and Colin Bowen of Gettysburg; a brother, Timothy Bowen of Trout Run; and a number of nieces and nephews.
Memorial services will be 3 p.m. Thursday in Monahan Funeral Home in Gettysburg.
Memorials may be made to Cardiac Transplant Unit, Hershey Medical Center, P.O. Box 850, Hershey, PA 17033.
Reynolds W. 'Boy & Pudgy' Causey Jr., 46
HARRINGTON - Reynolds W. "Boy & Pudgy" Causey Jr. of Harrington died Friday, April 25, 2003, in Christiana Hospital in Newark. He was 46.
Mr. Causey was born Sept. 24, 1956, in Milford.
He attended Banneker High School and later Lake Forest High School.
He was employed by Stanley's Asphalt Paving and Trappe Packing of Houston.
He was preceded in death by his mother and father, Dorothy M. Burris and Reynolds W. Causey Sr.; a nephew, Deshion D. Abrams; a "Pop," John Abrams; and his foster parents, Ruth and Willie Brundage.
He is survived by his stepmother, Mary M. Abrams of Felton; a stepdaughter, Desiree Stewart; two sisters, Delores M. Elliot and S. Frances Abrams, both of Felton; a brother-in-law, Everett Elliot of Felton; an uncle, Billie Causey of Houston; two nieces, Regina Abrams and Dorlicia Stanley of Felton; two nephews, Rodney Abrams of Dover and Darnell Stanley of Felton; three foster sisters, Louise L. Brundage, Valarie McKinney and Meta A. Hampton, all of Dover; five foster brothers, Willie L. Brundage Jr., Paul Brundage, Ricky Griffen, Randy Nelson and Wallace Nelson; 20 more foster brothers and sisters; and his fiancé, Emma Smith of Harrington.
Services will be 1 p.m. Friday in Bennie Smith Funeral Home, Dover, where friends may call two hours earlier.
Burial will be in John Wesley United Church Cemetery in Milford.
Arrangements by Bennie Smith Funeral Home.
Marion Preston Grabill, 87
FELTON - Marion Preston Grabill of Felton died Monday, April 28, 2003, in his home. He was 87.
Mrs. Grabill was born Aug. 22, 1915 in Baltimore, daughter of the late Charles and Elizabeth Grabill. He was a U.S. Army veteran, serving in England during World War II.
Most of his life was spent in the newspaper business.
Before entering the war he worked for the Baltimore Sun and the Baltimore News American. Returning from the war, he relocated to Wilmington, where he worked for the Delmar News Agency as manager. In 1962 he moved to Dover and became co-owner of the Dover Newsstand with Stanley Budner from the Delmar News Agency until his retirement in 1978.
He was an extraordinary husband and father who always put his family first in his life. He was a kind, gentle and loving person who appreciated life. In previous years he enjoyed going to the racetrack, bowling and fishing. His favorite past time, however, was watching his Baltimore Orioles and Baltimore Colts/Ravens on TV.
He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Katherine; and a daughter and son-in-law, Barbara and Charles Sanders; two grandsons, Brandon and Gary, both of Felton; and two step-grandsons, Dustin and Brian of Valdosta, Ga.
Friends may call from 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday in Torbert Funeral Chapel South, 1145 E. Lebanon Road, Dover.
Funeral services and burial will be 11 a.m. Friday in the Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemetery, 2465 Chesapeake City Road, Bear.
