ELEANOR J. “ELLIE” OPITZ CHRIST
Eleanor J. “Ellie” Opitz Christ, 79, of Milton, formerly of Philadelphia, passed away Monday, November 3, 2008, quietly at her home.

She was born in Poughkeepsie, NY daughter of the late John and Laura Opitz.  She was a homemaker and enjoyed playing the Fife, spending time with her family and traveling.

Christ was a past member of the Rancocas Country Club in Willingboro, NJ and the Pike Creek Country Club in Newark.

In addition to her parents, Eleanor is preceded in death by a brother, Glenn Opitz; and a step-daughter, Marilyn Bergfelder.

She is survived by her husband: Stephen E. Christ; five children, Michael King and wife Kathy of Northfield, NJ, John King and wife Terri of Naples, FL, Martin King of Millville, Randall King and wife Janet of Frankford and Mitchell King and wife Beverly of Bethany Beach; a step-daughter, Janice Sensi and her husband, Louis of Georgetown; a brother, Norman Opitz of Poughkeepsie, NY; grandchildren, Morgan King, Zachary King, Spencer King, Isabel King, Michael King, Jason King, Melissa King, Katelyn King; and several nieces and nephews.

Services were private.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to: Delaware Hospice, 100 Patriots Way, Milford, DE 19963.

The family would like to say a special thank you to private caregiver and friend, Marie Quarrie.

* * *

ALFONZO “AL” JAMES SAMPLE
Alfonzo “Al” James Sample, 41, born on May 18, 1967, was raised in Millsboro, and was the son of Doris Sample Showell and James Benjamin Finney.  He attended Sussex Central High School in the Indian River School District where he graduated in 1985.  He worked at Vlasic Foods now called Pinnacle Inc. for 16 years. Mountaire Farms currently employed him. 

He is survived by his wife Christine Sample; and daughters, Jazmine Sample, Alana and Alayla Sample, step-daughter, Kayla Townsend and Aliyah Sample of Ellendale; his sisters, Amy Kellam of Millsboro, April Thacker of Seaford, Rose and Roshelle Sample both of New Jersey; brothers, Bobbie Sample of Ellendale; his aunts,  Jeanette Finney and Loise Sample of Millsboro, Catherine Sample and Eyvonne Sample both of Georgetown, Sara Ames of Bridgeville, Josephine Tharp of Massachusetts, Mary Nelson of Parsonsburg, Md.; uncles,  Gary Horsey of Virginia, Raymond Sample of Harrington, Ralph Sample, Joseph Aducci and John Hargett of Millsboro; and a host of nieces and nephews and cousins. 

Alfonzo was very well known in the area, and had a smile and laugh you could never forget.  All will miss him.

Services were held on Friday, November 7, at Watson Funeral Home, Millsboro.

Arrangements by Watson Funeral Home, Millsboro. Letters of condolence may be emailed to, Watson  Funeral Home Delmarvaobits.com or Watsonfh.com

* * *

RAYMOND F. BUTLER, JR.
Raymond F. Butler, Jr., 56, of Dagsboro, passed away November 3, 2008, at his home.

He was born in Philadelphia, Pa., August 15, 1952 to Raymond and Alma Butler of Aston, Pa.

Butler earned his Bachelors degree in Business from Widener University and Masters in Education from Wilmington College. He married Rita V. Studzinski in 1973 and they lived in Broomall, Pa. before relocating to Sussex County in 1986.

Butler, previously an accountant in Center City, Pa., found his true passion in teaching. He began teaching sixth grade social studies at the former Sussex Central Middle School in Millsboro in 1996 where he was a dedicated instructor, coach, tutor and mentor. He was awarded the Indian River School District Teacher of Year in 2002. Raymond Coached Golden Knight baseball and football for the past ten years, tutored math and reading after school each year of his career, was active with the IRSD Migrant and Bridges summer programs, and received a $50,000 grant from MBNA for the Migrant program.

He was an avid fan of all sports, but especially the Philadelphia Phillies and the Philadelphia Eagles. He determinedly coached football, basketball, and baseball throughout his lifetime, and was a committed Little League coach. Ray was an Eagle Scout and involved with Cub Scout troop 281. Also a history buff, Ray had and extensive knowledge of the Civil War. He loved creating vibrant lessons for his classroom which allowed students to be as passionate about history as he was.’

He is survived by his wife of 33 years, Rita V. (Studzinski) Butler; his daughters, Renee’ Wright and her husband Steven of Rehoboth Beach, Dianna Ennis and her husband John of Dagsboro; his son, Ryan Butler of Dagsboro; granddaughter, Jacquelyn Ennis; his sister, Kathleen Whitaker and her husband Donald of New Castle.

He will be deeply missed by a community of brothers, sisters in law, aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews, friends and students.

A Memorial Mass of Christian Burial was offered Saturday, November 8 at St. Ann’s Catholic Church in Bethany Beach.

Interment will be at Gate of Heaven Cemetery in Millsboro.

In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorial contributions in Ray’s memory to the Ray Butler Fund, 302 East State St, Millsboro, DE. 19966, Attention Julie Hudson.

* * *

ELIZA L. WHITE
Eliza L. White, 94, of Oak Orchard, passed away Monday, November 3, 2008 at Beebe Medical Center in Lewes.

She was the first of 12 children born to Charles W.W. and Mary Moore of Oak Orchard on August 3, 1914.

She graduated from Millsboro High School in 1932 and then went to school for her beautician license. She owned White’s Beauty Shop in Georgetown for over 40 years. Her career of operating a beauty shop was interrupted during WWII where she was a line leader at Milford Ordnance making anti aircraft ammunition, fulfilling her patriotic duty as she had three brothers already in the service. She survived an explosion at the plant where many women lost their lives.

She was a member of Wesley Methodist Church in Georgetown.

White was preceded in death by her husband, Linwood White in 1986; her siblings, Ruth McGee, Eva Webb, Charles Moore, Norman Moore, Raymond Moore, Robert Moore, Gerald Moore, Shirley (Patty) Fritz.

She is survived by a sister, Mary Boyce of Laurel; two brothers, Joseph and Irvin Moore, both of Oak Orchard; many loving nieces and nephews including Janice M. Chorman with whom she lived.

She will always be remembered as the Matriarch of the Moore Family.

A funeral service was held Saturday, November 8, at the chapel of Melson Funeral Services, Millsboro.

Burial will be in Millsboro Cemetery.

* * *

PAULINE H. CHAFFINCH
Pauline H. Chaffinch, 87, of Bridgeville, passed away peacefully on Monday, November 3, 2008, at Lofland Life Care in Seaford. 

She was born on February 11, 1921 in Greenwood, daughter of the late George Henry and Madeline C. (Willey) Harris.

Chaffinch was a member of St. Johnstown United Methodist Church in Greenwood and a former member of the Epworth United Methodist Church on Blanchard Road, Greenwood.  She was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother.

She was preceded in death by her late husband of 65 years, Leonard Chaffinch (2007).  

She is survived by two daughters, Sharon Mae Chaffinch of Bridgeville, and Portia M. Brandt of Muncy, Pa.; two sons, Darl V. Chaffinch of Apache Junction, AZ and Col. L. Aaron Chaffinch, DSP Ret. and his wife Karen of Greenwood; five grandchildren; and her sister-in-law, Helen Calder of Middletown.

Funeral services were held Friday, November 7, at St. Johnstown United Methodist Church, Greenwood.      Interment in the adjoining churchyard cemetery. 

The Rev. Dr. Everett C. Isaacs and the Rev. Denise Founds co-officiated.  

Arrangements handled by Parsell Funeral Homes & Crematorium, Hardesty Chapel, Bridgeville.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions be made to St. Johnstown United Methodist Church, c/o Brenda Prettyman, 14569 Sussex Highway, Bridgeville, DE  19933.

Send online condolences to, condolences@parsellfuneralhomes.com

* * *

CLIFFORD E. ELLIOTT
Clifford E. Elliott, 94, of Georgetown, formerly of Milton, died Monday, November 3, 2008 at Nanticoke Memorial Hospital in Seaford. 

Elliott was born in Georgetown, the son of the late George and Lola (Callaway) Elliott.

He was a veteran of the U.S. Army serving during WWII.

He was a barber in the Gravel Hill area for many years. He also owned C.E. Elliott oil business and C.E. Elliott Trucking Co.

He was the superintendent of Milton for five years.

He was a charter member of the Broadkill V.F. W. #6984 in Milton, a member of the Red Men Tribe #21 in Georgetown and a former member of Milton Lions Club.

He is survived by his sister, Florence Workman of Georgetown; and his companion, Ethel Murphy of Georgetown.

A memorial service was held Friday, November 7, in the chapel of Short Funeral Services, Georgetown. 

Burial in St. Johnstown Cemetery, Greenwood.

* * *

KIRSTIE M. MATT
Kirstie M. Matt, 40, of Milton, and her one year old son, William Noah “Billy” Matt, died  from injuries  sustained in an automobile accident in Georgetown, on Wednesday November 5, 2008.

She is survived by her  husband, William F. Matt; two sons, Christopher and Nicholas ; her mother, Jean Davidson; brother, Richard Davidson; sister, Pat Davidson.

Billy is survived by his  father, William F. Matt; brothers, Christopher and Nicholas; his maternal grandmother, Jean Davidson; paternal grandparents, Anna and William G. Matt.

A Mass of Christian Burial was offered for Kirstie and Billy on Monday, November 10 at St. Jude the Apostle Catholic Church, Lewes.

A visitation was held Sunday November 9 from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. at the chapel of Melson Funeral Services, Long Neck.

Interment will be in Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Millsboro.

In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorial donations in Kirstie and Billy’s memory to, William Noah Matt Remembrance Fund, c/o PNC Bank, 17725 Coastal Hwy, Lewes, DE. 19958.

* * *

JOHN ROBERT MORTON, JR.
John Robert Morton, Jr., 65, of Smyrna, died Thursday, Nov. 7, 2008 at Bayhealth/Kent General Hospital in Dover.

He was born in Illinois, the son of the late John R., Sr. and Dorothy M. Dimick Morton.  He was a veteran of the U.S. Air Force serving  during the Vietnam War. He was a computer tech.

He is survived by his sons, James Bianco of Seaford and John Robert Bianco of Willards, Md.; and a daughter Heather Malice of Millsboro; and six grandchildren.

Funeral Services were held Monday, November 10, in the chapel of Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Millsboro. 

Arrangements handled by Short Funeral Services, Georgetown.

* * *

BONNIE LYNN REVELLE
Bonnie Lynn Revelle, 53, of Milton, passed away Saturday, November 8, 2008, at Beebe Medical Center.

She was born in Milford, the daughter of the late Katherine and Herbert Revelle. She worked for the Sussex County Recorder of Deeds, Georgetown, for 23 years.

Revelle was preceded in death by her parents; one son, Matthew Revelle and his wife Amber of Harrington; two brothers, Franklin Steven Revelle, and Keith Revelle of Milton; three sisters, Kim Daley, Pam Walpole and Lisa Reynolds, all of Milton; two grandchildren, Chloe Revelle and Logan Warncke; and several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services were held Tuesday, November 11, in the Chapel of Short Funeral Services, Milton.

Interment in Odd Fellows Cemetery, Milton