JoAnne Barbara Wade Donovan
OCEAN PINES — JoAnne Barbara Wade (Mulcahy) Donovan, age 62 died Friday, Nov. 25, 2011 at her home in Berlin.
Born in the Yukon Territory of Canada, she was the daughter of the late Theresa Lillian Burnett Wade and Joseph Albert Richard Wade. She is survived by her stepsons, Christopher Ryan Donovan of Ocean City and Patrick Kevin Donovan of Arnold, Md. Also surviving is a brother, Martin Wade of League City Texas; a sister, Sandra Combs of Virginia; a nephew Jason and niece Megan; several great nieces and nephews.
JoAnne had a career as an educator in Worcester County that spanned over 35 years, the number is staggering, upon reflection, when you think of the many young minds she had an impact on. She served on many school committees and was a respected member and past officer of the Eastern Shore Reading Council, where she worked diligently to encourage all teachers to join and support reading literacy.
JoAnne had a close affiliation with Salisbury University for over three decades. For many years, she taught “Children’s Literature” as an adjunct instructor. She was the co-director of the Eastern Shore Writing Project (an affiliate of the National Writing Project). Most recently, in conjunction with Salisbury University Teacher Education Department, she directed a Professional Development School site in Worcester County, supervised teacher candidate interns, and led the seminar course for these same prospective teachers.
JoAnne made the most of every minute every day, there was no grass growing under her feet. She was a faithful member of her beloved Stevenson United Methodist Church, was actively involved in her Ocean Pines community, was the program chair for the Friends of the Library, the secretary for the Berlin/Ocean City Soroptimists, a volunteer at the Assateaque Island National Seashore pony patrol, an active member of the Ocean Pines Garden Club and a new member of the Ocean Pines Boat Club. Some of her many interests include travel, photography, trivia, music, book clubs, bike riding, love for critters, especially cats, weekly social events at her home and her arts and crafts.
Although everyone in Jo’s life was important to her, she leaves behind some very special people, her precious God daughter Jenna Bradford whom she loved very much. Jenna’s family who embraced her as their own, all of her fellow teachers who became dear friends, especially John Cooley “who liked her the best,” California Karen, New York Connie, Canada Anne, Mt. Joy Deb and Don, her new friends in Ocean Pines, her best bud Pam and her favorite BIL Macky.
JoAnne will be missed by many and the void of her passing will never be filled.
A memorial funeral service will be held on Saturday at 11 a.m. at Stevenson United Methodist Church in Berlin, Rev. Jay Hurley and Rev. Ron Shatz will officiate. Friends may call on Friday from 4-7 p.m. at the Burbage Funeral Home in Berlin. Internment will be private at a later date.
Donations in her memory may be made to the Berlin/Ocean City Soroptimists, 10129 Waterview Dr. Ocean City, Md. 21842; Town Cats, 5 Windswept Drive, Berlin, Md. 21811; Coastal Hospice, P.O. Box 1733, Salisbury, Md. 21891; or Friends of the Worcester County Library, 11107 Cathell Road, Ocean Pines, Md. 21811.
Frederick Raye “Bub” King
SALISBURY — Frederick Raye King “Bub”, 55, of Salisbury, died Sunday, Nov. 20, 2011 at his home.
Born in Salisbury on April 28, 1956, he was the son of the late Frederick King and Hilda Mae Whitworth King.
Mr. King attended St. Francis de Sales Catholic as a child and served as an altar boy. Following graduation from Wi-Hi in 1974, he operated a successful family business known as Kingie’s Cotton Candy on the Boardwalk in Ocean City. He was a respected businessman and a friend to many in the community. He often volunteered at his children’s Beriln schools, donating his time and talents.
Bub was an avid surfer and lifetime sports fan of the Baltimore Orioles and Nascar. He also participated for many years in a Sunday Pool League in Ocean City and was a member of many championship teams.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a sister-in-law, Dawn Chandler Trader.
Mr. King is survived by Tracy Ann King of Berlin and two daughters, Corey Lee King and fiancé Wesley White of Parsonsburg, and Casey Chandler King of Berlin. He is also survived by two brothers, Daniel Raye King and wife Jez of Berlin and Patrick Raye King of Salisbury; sister-in-law Robin Chandler Miles and husband Chris Miles; sister-in-law Kerri King of Salisbury; several nieces and nephews, Shannon Trader, Niki and Dave Morris, Mary King, Elizabeth Mae King, Stephen Miles, William King and Oliver King. He is also survived by many lifetime friends.
A celebration of life will be held on Dec. 5 at the American Legion on 24th Street in Ocean City at 2 p.m.
Dorothy R. Melcher
SELBYVILLE — Dorothy Raum Melcher, age 89, died on Sunday, Nov. 25, 2011 at her Arrington Woods home in Selbyville.
Born in Chester County, Pa., she was the daughter of the late Ervin H. Raum, Jr. and Mary Werner Raum.
She is survived by her daughter, Bonnie Piperno and her husband Dominic of Ocean City, and her son, Robert P. Melcher and his wife Kathleen of Quakertown, Pa. She was adored by her grandchildren, Tiffany Caldwell, Robert C. Melcher, Matthew Piperno, and Brian P. Melcher, as well as her eight great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband of over 60 years, Robert J. Melcher in June 2007.
Mrs. Melcher was an active member of Ocean View Presbyterian Church where she participated in various charity events and food drives sponsored by the church. She and her husband Bob enjoyed spending time with their family and the many friends they had met over the past 20 years while living here at the beach.
A memorial service will be held on Monday, Dec. 5 at 11:30 a.m. at the Ocean View Presbyterian Church located at 67 Central Ave in Ocean View, Del. A donation in her memory may be made to Delaware Hospice, Inc. located at 100 Patriots Way, Milford, Del. 19963.
Arrangements are in the care of the Burbage Funeral Home in Berlin.
Anita Verna Ross
OCEAN CITY — Mrs. Anita Verna Ross, 69, of Longboat Key, Fla, formerly of Ocean City, passed away on Nov. 26, 2011.
She is survived by her son, Mathew Engle of Ocean City; brother, Louis Verna of Hollywood, Fla.; and three granddaughters.
Anita was preceded in death by her husband, Charles A. Ross; son, William L. Engle; sister, Catherine G. Crouch; and her parents, Viola Guerrieri Verna and Louis P. Verna.
Anita volunteered for many years at Mote Marine and was a member of the Women’s Guild at St. Mary Star of the Sea. She had been a flight attendant for American Airlines.
Contributions in her memory may be made to SPARC or to the Women’s Resource Center.
Visitation will be held on Sunday from 2-4 p.m. at Toale Brothers Funeral Home, Colonial Chapel, Sarasota, Fla. A funeral mass will be held on Monday at 11 a.m. at St. Mary Star of the Sea Catholic Church in Longboat Key, Fla.
Robert Walsh Watts
BERLIN — Robert Walsh Watts, age 79, died Tuesday, Nov. 22, 2011 at his home.
Born in Washington, D.C., he was the son of the late George Watts and Olga Sarton Watts. He is survived by his wife, Bernadette L. Watts.
Mr. Watts was a United States Navy veteran. He had worked as a bus driver in Ocean City for many years and was known as the trolley man for 20 years. He was a member of the American Legion, Masons and a lifetime member of the Ocean City VFW. He had a passion for living on the water.
Mr. Watts was a beloved husband and father. Along with his wife, he is survived by a son, Jay P. Watts, and his wife, Lori; four grandchildren, Christopher Watts, Jessica Howard, Kristen Mack and Jason Mack; and six great grandchildren.
Services and Interment will be private and held at a later date. Arrangements are being handled by the Burbage Funeral Home in Berlin.
Rose Marie Bosley
OCEAN CITY — On Nov. 29, 2011, Rose Marie Bosley of Ocean City died.
She was the beloved mother of Kathleen Smarte and her husband David, Karen Brode and her husband Jeff, and Christian Bosley and his wife Denise; dear sister of Dorothy Teipe, Thomas Dudek and Janet Burgee; loving grandmother of Michael and Matthew Smarte, Joshua and Avery Brode, Cassie Dobbins, Christian Bosley, Jr. and Danielle Bosley; and cherished great-grandmother of Colin and Makenna Dobbins.
Family and friends were invited to gather at Gary L. Kaufman Funeral Home at Meadowridge Memorial Park, Inc. 7250 Washington Blvd, Elkridge, Md, 21075 (exit 6 S off Rt. 100) on Thursday, Dec. 1, from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. A Catholic Prayer service will be held in the Vermillion Chapel on Friday, Dec. 2, 2011 at 11 a.m. Interment private.
Memorial Contributions may be made to the National Parkinson’s Foundation, Gift Processing Center, PO Box 5018, Hagerstown, Md. 21741.
Arrangements by the Gary L. Kaufman Funeral Home.