DOVER - Arthur John Hackett Sr. of Dover died from a long illness Sunday, March 8, 1998, in his daughter's home. He was 83.

Mr. Hackett was born to the late Rev. Phillip and Hattie Hackett.

He, after committing his life to Christ at an early age, affiliated with St. John's Holy Church and became so much a part of the church, that he married Ilear Sudler.

Mr. Hackett went to Alfred I. DuPont School District while working with his brother, Wilbert. After retirement at 65, he returned to school to further his education.

He, while in Hartly from 1942 to 1952, was employed as a farm laborer for the late James Wolleyham. In 1952, he moved to Wilmington and worked with his brother, Harry, and also worked for his brother, Wilbert.

Deacon Hackett was ordained at Mount Sinai Holiness Church, was president of the Helping Hand Missionary Society, Dover and vicinity, of which he helped to organize, was chairman of the Deacon Board of St. John's Holy Church, held many offices in the church, and was a very active member who was faithful and dedicated in his love for God and the church.

He was well versed in the Culinary Arts, which prepared him as he helped to care for his brothers and sisters while they grew up and his immediate family.

Mr. Hackett was loved dearly by the members of the church, his family and friends. He was always willing to help any one who needed assistance.

He was preceded in death by two sons, Walter and Donald; three brothers; and four sisters.

He is survived by four daughters and son-in-laws, Ruth Jervery and Louis and Betty West and Wesley, both of Wilmington, Doretha Minus and Edward of Dover, and Barbara Allen and George of Wilmington; a son, Arthur J. Hackett Jr. of Wilmington; two sisters, Deacon Helen Tate of Washington, D.C., and Octavia Wright of Milton; two brothers, the Rev. Walter Hackett of Upper Darby, Pa., and Harry Hackett of Belvedere; two adopted sisters, Margaret Cammille and Gladys Cammille, both of Hartly; an adopted brother, Arthur Cammille of Hartly; a devoted caregiver, Julia Watson of Dover; 26 grandchildren; 45 great-grandchildren; nine great-great-grandchildren; a brother-in-law; two sister-in-laws; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Service will be noon Saturday at the Bibleway Temple Church of God in Christ, 54 S. Kirkwood St., Dover.

Friends may call 6-8 p.m. Friday at the St. Johns Holy Church, Hartly and two hours prior to the service.

Burial will be in the Sharon Hills Memorial Park, Dover.

Arrangements by the Minus Funeral Home, Dover.

Sadie Ellen Hastings Collins, 81

MILFORD - Sadie Ellen Hastings Collins of Milford died of heart failure Monday, March 9, 1998, in the Silver Lake Nursing Home, Dover. She was 81.

Mrs. Collins was employed as a clerk at the A & P for five years.

She was in the John H. Hulholand Spoonmill foster parent program.

Mrs. Collins was a member of the Milford Church of God and of the Milford Senior Center.

She was preceded in death by her husband, William M., in 1969; a sister, Anna T. Mereider; and a brother, Howard E. Hastings.

She is survived by two sons, N. Kenneth Collins of St. Petersburg, Fla., and Joseph Collins of Milford; four grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.

Service will be 1 p.m. Friday in the chapel of the Church of God, North Walnut Street, Milford.

Friends may call 7-9 p.m. Thursday at the Berry-Short Funeral Home, 119 N.W. Front St., Milford.

Burial will be in the Odd Fellows Cemetery, Milford.

Instead of flowers, the family suggests contributions may be made to the Church of God, North Walnut Street, Milford, DE 19963.

Paul L. Comegys, 85

DOVER - Paul L. Comegys of Dover died of heart failure Monday, March 9, 1998, in the Kent General Hospital. He was 85.

Mr. Comegys was employed in the construction field all his life, starting with the Paul Scotton Construction Company and then with the George & Lynch Company for over 35 years.

He was a frequent visitor at Spence's Bazaar, Dover.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Beatrice, in 1987.

He is survived by a son, Paul L. Comegys Jr. of Dover; a daughter, Evelyn Gilbert of Laurel; a brother, Floyd Comegys of Wyoming; seven grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; a great-great-grandchild; and a close friend, Sue Holden of Dover.

Service will be 1 p.m. Thursday at the Trader Funeral Home, 12 Lotus St., Dover, where friends may call one hour prior to the service.

Burial will be in the Sharon Hill Memorial Park, Dover.

Raymond E. Lewis, 67

FRANKFORD - Raymond E. Lewis of Frankford died of an apparent heart attack Monday, March 9, 1998, in the Atlantic General Hospital, Berlin, Md. He was 67.

Mr. Lewis was born in Whitesville, son of the late Kennedy E. Lewis and Lillie Baker Lewis.

He was a U.S. Army veteran of the Korean War.

Mr. Lewis was a farmer and also a mechanic for many years with the Selbyville Ford Tractor, Selbyville.

He was a member of the Roxana U.M. Church, Roxana.

He is survived by his wife of 47 years, Dollie Mae; a son, Donald R. Lewis of Stevensville, Md.; a step-grandson, James C. Lewis; and a great-great granddaughter, Chelsea Smith.

Service will be 3 p.m. Thursday at the chapel of Melson Funeral Service, Frankford, where friends may call 7-9 p.m. today. Pastor Fred Duncan will officiate.

Burial will be in the Roxana Cemetery, Roxana.

Instead of flowers, the family suggests contributions may be made to the Roxana U.M. Church, Frankford, DE 19945.

Robert L. Downing, 69

GEORGETOWN - Robert L. Downing of Georgetown died Sunday, March 8, 1998, in his home. He was 69.

Mr. Downing was born in Horntown, Va., son of the late Henry Downing and the late Virgie Cannon.

He was preceded in death by his companion of 40 years, Pearl Bailey, in 1994.

He is survived by eight sons, Robert, Michael, Larry and Marvin Bailey, all of Georgetown, Ronald, Richard and David Bailey, all of Millsboro, and Clifford Downing of Washington, D.C.; four daughters, Robin Henderson of Millsboro, Lorraine Miles of Georgetown, Roberta Mann of Seaford and Lottie Downing of Milford; five brothers, Roger, Chancie and John Downing, all of Lewes, Harry Downing of Harbeson and George Downing of Bridgeton, N.J.; three sisters, Ida Foreman and Dalena Bowden, both of Milton and Hattie Downing of Ellendale; four daughter-in-laws; two son-in-laws; four uncles; 13 grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Service will be 1:30 p.m. Saturday at the St. Peters and Friends Holiness Church, Coolspring, where friends may call an hour-and-a-half prior to the service.

Burial will be in the Friendship Baptist Church Cemetery, Lewes.

Arrangements by the Bennie Smith Funeral Home, Milford.

John I. Balderson III, 21

RIDGELY, Md. - John I. Balderson III of Ridgely died from an automobile accident Monday, March 9, 1998, in Greensboro, Md. He was 21.

Mr. Balderson was born in Easton, son of Carol F. and John I. Balderson Jr. of Ridgely.

He was a graduate of North Caroline High School.

Mr. Balderson was employed as an electrician for three years with Ray's Electric Service, Denton.

He was a member of the Ridgely U.M. Church.

He is survived by, in addition to his parents; his maternal step-grandmother, Margaret Fountain of Seaford, Del.; his godmother, Ida Davis of Ridgely; and his girlfriend, Carol A. Campbell of Goldsboro.

Service will be 2 p.m. Friday at the Fleegle-Helfenbein Funeral Home, Greensboro.

Friends may call 7-9 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home.

Burial will be in the Greensboro Cemetery, Greensboro.

Instead of flowers, the family suggests contributions may be made to the Ridgely U.M. Church Memorial Fund, P.O Box 220, Ridgely, MD 21660 .

Samantha Marie Knox, 1 month

MILFORD - Samantha Marie Knox of Milford died of heart failure Monday, March 9, 1998, in the Milford Hospital. She was one month old.

Samantha is survived by her parents, Steven M. and Christina L. Johnson Knox; a sister, Amanda L. Knox at home; paternal grandparents, Dennis and Christine Maloney of Harrington; paternal grandfather, Earl J. Knox of Felton; paternal great-grandmother, Eva Knox of Smyrna; paternal great-grandfather and great-grandmother, Carl and Rose Hutson Jr. of Henderson, Md.; great-great grandfather, William Donophan of Sarasota, Fla.; maternal grandparents, Ruth and Winsfred Johnson of Milford; maternal great-grandparents, Junior and Geraldine Haley of West Jefferson, Ohio; and a maternal great-grandmother, Winifred Johnson of Birmingham, Ala.

Graveside service will be 11 a.m. Friday at the Greensboro Cemetery, Greensboro, Md.

Friends may call 9 a.m. Friday in the chapel of Berry-Short Funeral Home, N.W. Front Street, Milford.

Norman L. Nichols Sr., 97

FEDERALSBURG, Md. - Norman L. Nichols Sr. of Federalsburg died Tuesday, March 10, 1998, in the Memorial Hospital, Easton. He was 97.

Mr. Nichols was born near Dublin Hill, Sussex County, Del., son of the late John Jenkins Nichols and Sally Francis.

He was farmer working for the Chris Nagel farm.

Mr. Nichols was a member of the Zion U.M. Church, Federalsburg.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Ruth Eleanor Thomas Nichols, in 1967; two daughters, Mildred McClarity and Pauline Smith; and two sons, Emerson Nichols and Dorsey Nichols.

He is survived by two sons, Robert Nichols of Denton and Norman Nichol Jr. of Federalsburg; three daughters, Louise McCullough, Minnie Whitsett and Ruth Ann Johnson, all of Federalsburg,; 12 grandchildren; and many great-grandchildren and great-great grandchildren.

Service will be 7 p.m. Friday at the Frampton-Hawkins-Eskow Funeral Home, Federalsburg and 1 p.m. Saturday at the Zion U.M. Church. The Rev. Vanessa Lee will officiate and will be assisted by the Rev. Sandra Nichols.

Friends may call 5-7 p.m. Friday at the funeral home and noon-1 p.m. Saturday at the church.

Burial will be in the Federal Hill Cemetery, Federalsburg.

LaMia Shyanne Heath, stillborn

SMYRNA - LaMia Shyanne Heath of Smyrna died Monday, March 9, 1998, in the Bayhealth Kent General Hospital, Dover. She was stillborn.

LaMia was the daughter of Theresa Snow and Steven Heath, both of Smyrna.

She is survived by, in addition to her parents; a sister, Kayla Rogers of Smyrna; her maternal grandparents, Lana Brookens of Newark and John Snow of Smyrna; her paternal grandparents, Shelia Heath and Steve Harrison, both of Dover; her paternal great-grandmother, Della Harrison of Dover; her godmother, Martha Shumate of Smyrna; her godfather, Russell Wisher Jr. of Dover; and a host of aunts, uncles and cousins.

Services will be 2 p.m. Thursday at the Mattthews-Bryson Funeral Home, West Commerce Street, Smyrna.

Burial will be in the Odd Fellows Cemetery, North Street, Smyrna.
 

Mary Kellam Teaff, 71

DOVER - Mary Kellam Teaff of Dover died from a long illness Friday, March 13, 1998, in her home. She was 71.

Mrs. Teaff was born in Onley, Va.

She was a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Mrs. Teaff was employed as a laboratory technician for Kent General Hospital for 25 years and also served the state of Delaware in the same field.

She was an active member of the Wesley United Meythodist Church, Dover, where she was a member of the Church Women United and received the Outstanding Church Women of 1997 award. She was also a member of the Reserve Officer Association Ladies and a Dame of the Knights Templar.

She is survived by her husband of 47 years, Otha Dale Teaff Jr.; a brother, John W. Kellam of Onley; three children, Nancy Walthall of Charlotte, N.C., Miriam Pfister of Hyde Park, N.Y., and Joseph Teaff of Dover; six grandchildren, Rose Coughlin, Marcia Couglin , Cheri Couglin, Julia Walthall, Mary Kate Walthall and Kristen Teaff; and several nieces and nephews.

Memorial service will be announced at a later date.

Instead of flowers, the family suggests contributions may be made to the Wesley U.M. Church, 209 S. State St., Dover, DE 19901 or to the Delaware Hospice, 911 Lotus Plaza, S. DuPont Highway, Dover, DE 19901.

Arrangements by the Torbert Funeral Chapel, South Bradford Street, Dover.

Nancy Purnell Hazzard, 46

SEAFORD - Nancy Purnell Hazzard of Seaford died Thursday, March 12, 1998, in her home. She was 46.

Ms. Hazzard was the daughter of Marguerite C. and the late R. Franklin Purnell.

She was employed as a social worker with the state of Delaware and the Chester County Health Department in Pennsylvania.

Ms. Hazzard was an active member of several environmental protection groups, both on the national and local levels.

She is survived by her mother, with whom she lived, Marguerite C. Purnell of Seaford; a sister and brother-in-law, Lynne P. and David A. Messick of Bridgeville; and a nephew, Jeremy Messick of Bridgeville.

Service will be 1 p.m. Tuesday at St. Mary's Episcopal Church, William Street, Bridgeville.

Burial will be private.

The family suggests contributions may be made to the St. Mary's Episcopal Church, PO Box 21, Bridgeville, DE 19933.

Arrangements by the H.E. Hardesty & Sons Funeral Home, Laws Street, Bridgeville.

Viola Smith, 79

FEDERALSBURG, Md. - Viola Smith of Federalsburg died of heart failure Saturday, March 14, 1998, in the Talbot House, Easton. She was 79.

Ms. Smith was born in Ridgley, daughter of the late Joseph and Mae Edge Smith.

She had been a homemaker her entire life.

Ms. Smith was a member of the Calvary Baptist Church, Denton.

She attended the Federalsburg Senior Center, Federalsburg.

She is survived by a daughter, Virginia Lankford of Federalsburg; two grandsons, Bryan Lankford, serving in the U.S. Marine Corps stationed at Camp Lejeune, N.C., and Travis Lankford of Federalsburg; and three great-grandchildren.

Service will be 1 p.m. Tuesday at the Williamson Funeral Home, South Main Street, Federalsburg. Pastor Don Reynolds will officiate.

Friends may call from 7-8 p.m. today at the Williamson Funeral Home.

Burial will be in the Hillcrest Cemetery, Federalsburg.

The family suggests contributions may be made to the Calvery Baptist Church, Market Street, Denton, MD 21629.

Hazel R. Hutchins, 81

DOVER - Hazel R. Hutchins of Dover died of cancer Friday, March 13, 1998, in the Silverlake Care Center, Dover. She was 81.

Mrs. Hutchins was employed as a sales clerk for 15 years with the Carol Sales Farmers Market, Dover, and was also a homemaker.

She was a member of the Trinity U.M. Church, Frederica and the United Methodist women.

She was preceded in death by her husband, William Hutchins Sr., in 1975.

She is survived by a son and daughter-in-law, William and Sarah Jane Hutchins Jr. of Dover; two grandchildren, Jeffrey William Hutchins and Michael Benjamin Hutchins, both of Dover; a sister, Mildred Berghorn of Clayton; and a godchild, Karen Husfelt of Arizona.

Service will be 11 a.m. Wednesday at the Trader Funeral Home, Lotus Street, Dover, where friends may call from 7-9 p.m. Tuesday.

Burial will be in the Odd Fellows Cemetery, Camden.

The family suggests contributions may be made to the Trinity U.M.Church, Frederica.

Sadie Mae Scott, 86

GUMBORO - Sadie Mae Scott of Gumboro died of congestive heart failure Saturday, March 14, 1998, in the Nanticoke Memorial Hospital. She was 86.

Mrs. Scott was born in Laurel, daughter of the late Charles E. and Aletha Bryan Moore.

She was a self-employed poultry grower for Townsend's Inc., Millsboro, for 34 years.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Lorenzo James, in 1967.

She is survived by a son, Calvin C. Scott of Millsboro; three daughters, Katherine S. Dukes of Delmar, Eleaner L. Hudson and Mary Lou Clifton, both of Gumboro; a brother, Preston Moore of Laurel; 12 grandchildren; 24 great-grandchildren; and nine great-great grandhchildren.

The service will be private.

Graveside service will be 2 p.m. Tuesday at the Millsboro Cemetery, Millsboro. The Rev. Michael Phillips will officiate.

Burial will be in the Millsboro Cemetery, Millsboro.

Arrangements by the Watson Funeral Home, Millsboro.

Francis W. 'Frank' Haley, 76

SMYRNA - Francis W. ''Frank'' Haley of Smyrna died of complications after a stroke Saturday, March 14, 1998, in Kent General Hospital. He was 76.

Mr. Haley graduated from the University of Delaware in 1950, with a degree in electrical engineering.

He served in World War II as a captain and B-24 pilot with the 744th squadron, 456th Bomb Group, and served in the Mediterranean Theater.

Mr. Haley was employed as a certified professional safety and fire protection engineer and worked for several major corporations, retiring in 1985.

He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Marie Stanley Haley; a son, Timothy S. Haley; a daughter-in-law, Judith; a granddaughter, Allison; a grandson, Sean of Acworth, Ga.; a daughter, Susan M. Cutter; a son-in-law, Martin; and grandsons, Jessey and Christopher of Point Pleasant, N.J.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 11 a.m. Wednesday at St. Polycarp's Church, 135 Ransom Lane, Smyrna.

Friends may call from 9-10:45 a.m. Wednesday at Faries Funeral Home, Main Street, Smyrna.

Instead fo flowers, the family suggests contributions may be made to the St. Polycarp's Building Fund, 135 Ransom Lane, Smyrna, DE 19977.