Norma Jean Bull
OCEAN CITY — Norma Jean Bull (Tyson), 86, of Ocean City, made her transition to be with her Lord on Jan. 26, 2021.
Norma Jean Bull
Born in Felton, Pa. on Dec. 1, 1934, she was the daughter of the late Chester B. Tyson and Helen A. Tyson (Bailey) of Red Lion, Pa.
Norma was a graduate of Red Lion Area High School, class of 1952, and Thompson’s School of Business, York, Pa. She was office manager of her husband’s business, Ed Bull Beer Distributor, York, Pa. for more than 20 years. Norma then worked in the Accounts Payable Office of the Bon Ton Corporation, York, Pa., until her retirement to Ocean City.
A welcoming face at Bethany United Methodist Church in Berlin, Norma chaired and was involved in many committees. She also had been active in the Widow and Widowers Club as well as the local AARP chapter.
Norma was married for 49 years to the late Richard C. Bull, in Felton, Pa. on Sept. 30, 1956. She is survived by a daughter, Roxanne Davenport, of Chambersburg, Pa.; three grandchildren, Jennifer Swank, Ronkonkoma, N.Y., Thomas Dennis Jr., Shippensburg, Pa. and Matthew Dennis, Chambersburg Pa.; three great-grandchildren, Everett, Renton, and Reid; and a brother, C. Eugene Tyson of Williamsburg, Va.
A memorial service to celebrate her life will be held at Bethany United Methodist Church in Berlin on Feb. 27, 2021 at 1 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Bethany United Methodist Church.
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Carolyn E. Smith
Carolyn E. Smith
OCEAN CITY — Carolyn “Cookie” Smith, born April 13, 1932, passed away at home on Jan. 31, 2021 with her family by her side.
Cookie’s family was the most important thing in her life. She enjoyed cooking and baking for her family and friends. She was preceded in death by her loving husband, Ron Smith, Sr. Left to cherish her memory are her devoted children, Ron (Butch) Smith, Jr., Sharon Orbin, Judith Howard and Eva Hitchens-Stephens. She was blessed with nine grandsons and 12 great grandchildren.
A graveside service will be held on Saturday, Feb. 13, 2021 at 10 a.m. at Gate of Heaven Cemetery, 32112 Vines Creek Road, Dagsboro, Del. 19939.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions in Carolyn E. Smith’s name be made to Coastal Hospice at the Lake, P.O. Box 1733, Salisbury, MD 21802-1733.
Online condolences may be made by visiting www.melsonfuneralservices.com.
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Michael G. Andrews
SELBYVILLE — Michael G. Andrews, age 97, passed away peacefully on Monday, Feb. 1, 2021 at his home, surrounded by his loving family.
Michael G. Andrews
Born in Baltimore, he was the son of the late John S. Andrews and Anna Goffus Andrews. He is survived by his wife of 70 years, Mary V. Andrews; daughter Patricia A. Andrews; and granddaughter Stephanie C. Andrews. He was preceded in death by three brothers, Joe, Ed and John, and sister, Agnes.
Mike was a proud World War II veteran, serving as a Navy Flight Engineer and Pilot. He was a member of Combat Air Crew 159 stationed at Whidbe, Washington from 1943-1946.
As a self-taught engineer, Michael worked in aviation for Martin-Marietta, Lockheed Martin, and Westinghouse Aerospace. As a Senior Technical Writer at Westinghouse, Mike helped to write the manual that created the camera for the famous Moon Landing of 1969.
Michael married Mary Velma Massie on Nov. 11, 1950, a mercurial day of rain, thunder, snow and sunshine – a cosmic declaration of a marriage that was as tempestuous as it was devoted.
Michael and Mary had one daughter, Patricia, who still believes the moon rises and sets in her father’s beautiful smile. Patricia remembers how proud she was to walk into school with her Dad, always the most handsome man in the room. Blessed to have a dad who was always kind and loving, Patricia has never known a greater man than her father.
Michael also had a granddaughter, Stephanie, who is and will always be a professed “Pop Pop’s girl.” Stephanie attributes her ability to craft the world’s greatest paper airplanes and her eternal love for travel and adventure to the man that inspired her each and every day. She will continue to live by his motto, “Always do the right thing,” and hopes that she will always make him proud.
Mike loved flying, boating, and fishing, and taking care of ‘his girls,” Mary, Patty, Stephanie and Callie, the family dog. He always had a soft spot for dogs, and all the family pets – Jesse, Jessa, Shorty, and Callie – loved their Alpha Dad.
Michael will always be remembered as a friend to all, with his charming smile and helpful hand, readily extended to help anyone in need.
Witty, intelligent, charismatic and kind, Michael was a blessing to family and friends, and his strong and gentle spirit will never be forgotten.
A mass of Christian Burial was held at St. Luke’s Catholic Church in north Ocean City on Wednesday, Feb. 10. Rev. Paul Jennings officiated. Interment followed at the Delaware Veteran’s Cemetery in Millsboro, Del. The prolific gardener in Michael would welcome flowers or plants. Letters of condolence may be sent via www.burbagefuneralhome.com
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Walter Edward Watson, Jr.
Walter Edward Watson, Jr.
BERLIN — Walter Edward Watson, Jr., age 70, died on Wednesday, Feb. 3, 2021 at Tidal Health Peninsula Regional Medical Center.
Born in Berlin, he was the son of the late Walter E Watson, Sr. and Edna Hitchens Watson. He is survived by his wife, Linda Harman Watson, and children, Walter R. Watson of Pittsville, Eric M. Watson of New York, N.Y., Hunter D. Watson of San Diego, Calif., and Jennifer W. Scott and her husband A.C. of Pittsville. There are two grandchildren, Alan C. Scott and Samatha R. Scott. Also surviving is a brother, David Watson and his wife Gail, of Laurel, Del., and two sisters, Linda Cindrich and Gary Hoeler, Sr. of Parsonsburg and Barbara Robertson and her husband Bill of Salisbury, and numerous nieces and nephews.
Mr. Watson was a graduate of Stephen Decatur High School, and had served in the United States Army. He had been employed by Top Notch Drywall in Hebron. He loved spending time with his grandchildren, taking them hunting and telling them stories. He enjoyed boogie boarding at the beach, gardening, mini golf, and listening to music.
A graveside service was held on Monday, Feb. 8 at Sunset Memorial Park near Berlin. A donation in his memory may be made to Pittsville Fire Company, 7442, Gumboro Rd., Pittsville, Md. 21850, or the American Cancer Society, 1315 Mt. Hermon Rd. Salisbury, Md. 21804. Letters of condolence may be sent via www.burbagefuneralhome.com. Arrangements are in the care of the Burbage Funeral Home in Berlin.
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Carl A. VanHekle, Jr.
BERLIN — Carl A. VanHekle, Jr. of Berlin passed away on Feb. 5, 2021.
Carl A. VanHekle, Jr.
He was born Dec. 12, 1939, to Carl VanHekle, Sr. and Elsie Shane VanHekle. He graduated from Wilmington High School in 1957. Carl married the love of his life, Elizabeth, on Feb. 5, 1960, exactly 61 years before his death. He started a masonry business in 1960 and worked up to just a few months before he passed away. Carl loved and enjoyed life to the fullest, making the most of every minute. He loved the sea, fishing, boating, traveling, time spent with his family, and his work.
Carl is preceded in death by his mother, Gladys VanHekle, and father, Carl A. VanHekle, Sr. He is survived by wife Elizabeth; sons Carl A. VanHekle III and David A. VanHekle; daughter Shari and husband John Jones; and eight grandchildren, Jennifer, Michelle, Chrissy, David, Kevin, Brian, Michael and Matthew; and five great-grandchildren.
Due to concerns over COVID, the family has elected to defer services at this time. Arrangements are in the care of the Burbage Funeral Home. Condolences may be sent to the family via www.burbagefuneralhome.com. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to the American Heart Association or the American Cancer Society.
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Robert Lowe
Robert Lowe
BERLIN — Robert Lowe of Berlin passed away on Feb. 7, 2021.
He was born Jan. 16, 1939 to William Lowe and Marie Brautigan Lowe. He was married to Deanna Lowe for 58 years. Robert enjoyed a career as a salesman where he was well respected and had the ability to form long lasting relationships with clients.
Robert was very involved in the community and his country. He served in the United States Air Force for six years. He was a member of the American Legion in Ocean City Lodge #166 and attended St. John Neuman’s Catholic church where he served as an usher for many years.
Robert is survived by his loving wife, Deanna Lowe; son Robert Lowe Jr. and wife Lisa; daughters Kimberly and husband Gerard Barbero Jr. and Cheryl and husband John Esposito; grandchildren Jennifer and Sean Lowe, Gerard and wife Kelly, Brandon and wife Kelsey, and Hope Barbero, Nicholas and Brianna Esposito; and great grandchildren MacKenly and Kacelynn Barbero. Robert was predeceased by his brother, William Lowe, and sister, Marjorie Lowe.
Visitation was held at the Burbage Funeral Home on Feb. 10 with services held Feb. 11 with Rev. Edward Aigner at St. John Neumann Church. Burial will follow at a later date at the Garden of the Pine.
Arrangements are in the care of the Burbage Funeral Home. Condolences may be sent to the family via www.burbagefuneralhome.com.
Anna Groff Sirman
SNOW HILL — Anna Groff Sirman, 94, of Snow Hill, passed away peacefully on Monday, Feb. 8, 2021 while residing at the Chesapeake Manor Assisted Living in Willards.
She was born Oct. 23, 1926 in Pocomoke City, a daughter of the late Herbert Groff, Sr. and Mollie Mills Groff.
Anna’s strong work ethic began in her early days as she started her career as a secretary at Nock’s Hatchery in Snow Hill, while still a senior in high school and continued until having children. Later she worked as a bookkeeper for E. Maurice Jones Insurance Co. and then continued her work, as the business went through changes, until retirement from Associated Insurance Co. She was a longtime member of Trinity United Methodist Church and Bowen United Methodist Church in Newark. Favorite pastimes were reading, crocheting, playing Canasta, crossword puzzles, dominos, making afgans as gifts and delicate lace tablecloths for very special friends. She loved dining out with her best friend Betty Bradford Groton and playing cards with Lola Marie Bradford, Edith Dryden and Virginia Timmons. She will be remembered as a child of God, who touched so many lives as a daughter, sister, wife, mother, mommom, great grandmother, aunt, and to everyone a friend.
She is survived by her son, William G. Sirman, Jr.; a daughter, Cordie Sirman Pearson and husband Harry; grandchildren, Michelle Sirman Wells, Christina Pearson Lindstrom and husband Ric, Daniel W. Pearson, and Michael W. Sirman and wife Jennifer; great grandchildren, Trey Wells, Colbey Sirman, Lane Sirman, and Wyatt Sirman; brother, Ron Groff and wife Renee; sister-in-law, Joanne Trader Groff; two local nieces and a nephew; and her Baltimore nieces and nephews. She also leaves her good friend, Loretta Purnell, and an honorary “grandson,” Lewis Bilbrough.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband of 60 years, William G. Sirman, Sr., as well as a brother, Herbert Groff, Jr., sisters-in-law, Mary Jane Groff and Ellen Sirman LiPira and husband Dr. Joseph LiPira, and nephew Joseph V. LiPira.
Due to current COVID-19 restrictions services will be private for family. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in her memory to Trinity United Methodist Church, c/o Nancy Bounds, 10445 Mason Road, Berlin, Md. 21811 or to Bowen United Methodist Church, c/o Janet Coughlin, P.O. Box 87, Newark, Md. 21841.
Services are in the care of Short Funeral Home in Delmar. Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.shortfh.com.