Obituaries / April 15, 2009

WALTER H. PURNELL  (HILLY)
Walter H. Purnell,  (Hilly), 83,  of Riverdale, passed away Saturday, April 4, 2009.

He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Doris Purnell; his children and their spouses, Diane and Ed Shockley, Brooke and Gene Nichols, Lisa and Wayne Smith and Michael and Sharon Purnell;  Hilly also leaves grandchildren, Mike, Chris, Carla, Matthew, Hillary, Andrea and Kristy; and 14 great grandchildren.

Services were private, however, there will be a gathering of family and friends at The Brick Hotel on the circle in Georgetown on Saturday, April 18, 2009 from 2 to 4 pm.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Delaware Hospice, 100 Patriots Way, Milford, DE 19963.

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BETTY-JO PETTYJOHN
Betty-Jo Pettyjohn, 55, of Bennington, VT, died Saturday, April 4, 2009 at Berkshire Medical Center.

She was born in Lewes, on May 6, 1953, the daughter of Warren Pettyjohn and the late Letty Gay (Hunter) Pettyjohn. She was a graduate of Georgetown High School in 1972. 

Pettyjohn was last employed as a CNA at Willowood of North Adams.  Before that she worked at the former CB Sports.  She was a devoted mother and homemaker and she enjoyed music.  She moved to North Adams in 1986.

She is survived by her father, Warren Pettyjohn of Georgetown; three daughters, Betty-Jo “Joanna” Rivers, Mary-Ellen Wegner and Debbie Wegner of North Adams; one son, Edward Bunn of North Adams; twelve grandchildren including Charles Thompson and Katie-Lee Bunn and many friends.

Funeral services were held Thursday, April 9, in the chapel of Short Funeral Services, Georgetown. 

Interment in Union Cemetery

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to:  American Kidney Foundation, American Kidney

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ALFRED MICHAEL GERICKE
Alfred Michael Gericke, 60, of Lewes, passed away peacefully at his home on Sunday, April 5, 2009. 

Gericke was born November 21, 1948 in Baltimore, Md., son of the late Alexander Otto and Estelle Elizabeth (Welsh) Gericke.

Gericke worked as a bartender for a number of years at the Sussex Pines Country Club.  He served his country in the U.S. Marine Corps during the Vietnam War.  He was a member of American Legion Post #17, Lewes, the Lewes Moose Lodge, and a life member of the VFW Post #6984, Milton.

He is survived by three sisters, Naomi DiBacco of Lewes, Alva Diegert of Edgemere, and Frieda Beckner of Spotsylvania, Va.; his brother Alexander Otto, Jr. of Baltimore, Md.; and several nieces and nephews.

A memorial service was held Friday, April 10, at Sussex Pines Country Club, Georgetown.

Interment was private. 

Arrangements handled by Parsell Funeral Enterprises, Inc., Georgetown.  www.parsellfuneralhomes.com.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions be made to the American Legion Post #17 Canteen Fund, Legion Road, Lewes, DE 19958.

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JOANN C. (CLEMENTS) RAY
JoAnn C. (Clements) Ray, 59, of Dagsboro, passed away Thursday, April 9, 2009, at Delaware Hospice Center in Milford. 

She was born October 5, 1949 in Washington, DC to the late Walter J. and Marjorie A. (Lynn) Clements.

Previously of Silver Spring, MD and the Washington, DC area, Clements has been a full time Delaware resident since 1997.  She was employed as a Critical Care ER Nurse in Washington, DC for 21 years and by the Washington Adventist Hospital in Tacoma Park, MD.  She was a member of the National Nursing Association.  She was a Eucharistic Minister at St. Anne’s Catholic Church in Bethany Beach, DE, taught CCD, and was a member of many of St. Ann’s prayer groups.  A devoted wife and mother, she found the most joy in spending time with her family.

Ray is survived by her loving husband of 23 years, G. Fenton Ray; daughter, Mary Ray Maly and her husband Lucian of Pilzen, Czech Republic; son, PFC Michael F. Ray of Ft. Drum, NY; four nieces; twelve nephews; six siblings: Teresa M. Albers and her husband John of Selbyville, Kathleen M. Morton and her husband Michael of Arlington, Va., William J. Clements and his wife Lynn of Bakersfield, Ca, Patricia M. Fellers and her husband David of Beltsville, Md., Lynn M. Thomas and her husband Richard of Arnold, Md., and Elizabeth M. Welsh and her husband Mickey of Annapolis, Md.; and Uncle, Rev. William D. Lynn, S.J. of Vernersville, PA.

Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated (today) Wednesday, April 15, at St. Ann’s Catholic Church, 691 Garfield Parkway, Bethany Beach, DE 19930. 

Interment will follow at Gate of Heaven Cemetery in Dagsboro. www.parsellfuneralhomes.com

Arrangements by Parsell Funeral Homes and Crematorium, Clarksville.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to Intercessors of the Lamb, 4014 N. Post Road, Omaha, NE 68112-1263 or Delaware Hospice Center, 100 Patriot’s Way, Milford, DE 19963.