David Sylvester
BERLIN — David Sylvester, most recently of Fort Myers, Fla., died March 15, 2016. He was 90 years old.
He was born in Solon, Maine in 1926. He was predeceased by his wife, Margaret, and son, Richard. He was also predeceased by two brothers, Julien and Maurice, and a sister, Kay.
He is survived by two sons, Kenneth and Russell; a friend, Donna; a daughter-in-law, Joanne; and several nieces and nephews.
He served in the U.S. Army from 1944-1949. He earned his degree in mechanical engineering in 1952 from the University of Maine. He served as an engineer from 1952 to 1971 at AAI in Cockeysville. He was a constructional engineer at his own business SYLCO in Worcester County from 1971 to 1995.
Burial and memorial service were private at Dulaney Valley Gardens.
Contributions may be made in his name to charities of your choice.
Mary Rose Belsinger Wooten
BERLIN — Mary Rose Belsinger Wooten, age 76, passed away March 10, 2016 at her home in Sharpsburg, Ga.
Born in Baltimore, she was the daughter of the late George Chester Belsinger and Mary Rose Sjoberg. Mary Rose is preceded in life by her late brother, George C. Belsinger. She is survived by her husband of 52 years, John H. Wooten, and son, John H. Wooten Jr. “Jack” and his wife Tina H. Wooten. Also surviving are her three grandchildren, John H Wooten III, Phillip Tyler Wooten and Griffin Thomas Wooten; nieces Laura B. Greaves and Susan Belsinger; and nephew George C. Belsinger Jr. Mary Rose is also survived by numerous members of the Wooten family on the Delmarva Peninsula.
Mary Rose received her teaching degree from Towson State University in 1962 and after marriage became a longtime resident of Berlin. She proudly served 30 years as an educator for the Worcester County Board of Education. Mary Rose also served as a member of the National Education Association, Worcester County Teacher’s Association, American Legion Post #123 Boggs Disharoon, PRMC Junior Auxiliary Board and volunteered for many other local community groups. Being a devout catholic, she was a parishioner and active member of St. Mary Star of the Sea parish for over 30 years.
The family will hold a Celebration of Life Service at Buckingham Elementary School on June 4 at 10:30 a.m.
In lieu of flowers, the family request that memorial contributions be made to the American Diabetes Association.
Jean Florence Kirk Shiflet
MANASSAS, Va. — Jean Florence Kirk Shiflet, of Manassas, Va., died at The Fairmont Retirement Home on March 17, 2016 of natural causes. She was 94.
She was born March 17, 1922 in Elizabeth, N.J. to Lillian Mills and John H. A. Kirk. Her family later moved to Roselle, N.J. where she resided until the age of 19. After graduating from high school in 1940, Jean worked for the Prudential Insurance Company.
On Christmas Eve, 1941, the future Mrs. Shiflet married Kenneth E. Shiflet of Cranford, N.J. Mrs. Shiflet was a military wife for the 31 years of her husband’s Army career. In addition to living on many military posts and stateside assignments in the U.S., Mrs. Shiflet also accompanied her husband on to Ecuador in the early 1950s and to Germany in the late 1960s and early 1970s. Mrs. Shiflet and her husband spent many happy years together, traveling to many states and other countries, particularly in South America and Western Europe. Mrs. Shiflet particularly enjoyed her trips to the Netherlands to enjoy the tulips.
After her husband’s retirement from the Army in 1972, Mrs. Shiflet and her husband resided in Lake Barcroft, Falls Church, V. with their youngest son, Jeffrey. Colonel Shiflet died of cancer in 1978 and Mrs. Shiflet and Jeffrey, who was still in high school, remained in Lake Barcroft until 1986. During her time in Lake Barcroft, Mrs. Shiflet and her husband were members of Saint Alban’s Episcopal Church in Annandale, Va.; Mrs. Shiflet and Jeffrey were later members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in Annandale.
After her husband’s death, she worked for Congressional Schools of Virginia in Falls Church and Fairfax County Schools. Having not previously completed college, at 60, Mrs. Shiflet returned to school, graduating with an Associate’s Degree (with honors) from Northern Virginia Community College in Annandale and later a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work (specializing in Psychology and Gerontology) from George Mason University, Fairfax; and Brigham Young University in Laie, Hawaii. Mrs. Shiflet received many honors during her college career, graduated Magna Cum Laude in 1991 and was inducted as a member of the Phi Theta Kappa and Psi Chi honors fraternities. She was also honored in Who’s Who in American Colleges. Mrs. Shiflet pursued Master’s degree work in Gerontology at George Mason University in the early 1990s.
Between 1991 and 2010, Mrs. Shiflet resided in Ocean City, a place she had always enjoyed visiting for summer vacations with her husband and family since the early 1960s. For years, Mrs. Shiflet was a member of and volunteer at the Church of the Holy Spirit (now Charismatic Episcopal Church) in Berlin and active in many social and senior’s groups in the Ocean City area. She also enjoyed gardening (her flowers and garden were often highlighted in local papers) and traveling with local senior’s groups. Mrs. Shiflet moved to Manassas, Va. in 2010, taking up residence at the Fairmont Retirement Home, to be closer to her youngest son, his wife and her two grandchildren. In her remaining years, Jean continued to enjoy trips with her family, particularly with her many grand- and great-grand children, to the beach and Disney World; participating in Sunday church services at the Fairmont; and engaging in the many social events and other activities held at the Fairmont.
During her life, Mrs. Shiflet was a member of the Army Navy Country Club, Retired Officers Association, National Association for Uniformed Services, Society of Military Widows, Gold Star Wives, American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxiliary, AARP, Singles on the Shore, and the Ocean City Health and Racquet Club.
Mrs. Shiflet and her husband had four children, Kenneth David (deceased, infant), Bonnie Jeanne of Parsons, W.Va.; Robert Kirk (Captain, USN, Ret.) of Littleton, Colo. and Jeffrey Woodson, of Bristow, Va. Bonnie Jeanne is married to James D. Parsons and they reside in Parsons, W.Va. Robert Kirk is married to the former Debra Branan of Upper Marlboro, Md. They reside in Littleton, Colo. Jeffrey Woodson is married to the former Cynthia Smith of Red Creek, W.Va. They reside in Bristow, Va.
In addition to her surviving children, Mrs. Shiflet is survived by many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Her grandchildren include Sherry Parsons Ramsey of Morgantown, W.Va. (married to Terry Ramsey); Donna Jean Parsons Hardy of Hurricane, W.Va. (married to Jeffrey Hardy); Brenda Parsons Overstreet, of Morgantown, W.Va. (married to Dwight Overstreet); Kenneth Kirk Shiflet of Littleton, Colo. (fiance’, Olivia Martinez); Walker Woodson Shiflet of Hermosa Beach, Calif. (married to Amber Klinck); and Brett Woodson and Claire Marie Shiflet of Bristow, Va. Her great-grandchildren include Haley and Jayden Ramsey, Christian and Codi Hardy, Reese Overstreet, Skye Shiflet and Damien Martinez.
She is also survived by two sisters, Audrey Kirk Collins of Weeki Wachi, Fla. and Vivian Kirk Ogden of East Brunswick (Old Bridge), N.J., and many nieces and nephews.
Mrs. Shiflet will be interred alongside her husband of 37 years at Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Va. A memorial service is planned at the Baker-Post Funeral Home & Cremation Center in Manassas, Va. at 2 p.m. on April 9, 2016. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society or any one of the many national organizations supporting military widows.
John Thomas Fisher
OCEAN CITY — John Thomas Fisher, “Jack”, age 95, died Monday March 28, 2016 at Atlantic General Hospital in Berlin.
Born in Kearny, N.J., he was the son of the late Louis and Mary Fanning Fisher. He is survived by his beloved wife of 70 years, June Griffith Fisher. and daughter Jacquie Hand and her husband Bill of Berlin. He was an adored grandfather to Kristin Lewis, Heather Hand and Whitney Howell and great grandson Jackson Joseph Howell. He was preceded in death by his son, James Murray Fisher, and his sister, Rose McNabb.
Mr. Fisher was a United States Coast Guard Veteran. He had been owner/operator of the “Jackspot Lounge” in Ocean City. He was a member of St. Mary’s Star of the Sea Catholic Church, Knights of Columbus, and Post Commander of Sinepuxent American Legion Post # 166 and member of the Worcester County Liquor Control Board. Jack was instrumental in the formation of the Ocean City softball leagues and was also active in fundraising for the American Kidney Foundation.
A funeral service will be held on Friday, April 1, at 11 a.m. at the Burbage Funeral Home in Berlin. Friends may call one hour prior to the service. Deacon Wil Pinder will officiate. Interment will follow in Sunset Memorial Park. A donation in his memory may be made to Stephen Decatur High School Athletics Department, 9913 Seahawk Rd., Berlin, Md. 21811 or St. Mary’s Star of the Sea Catholic Church, 1705 Philadelphia Ave. Ocean City, Md. 21842. Letters of condolence may be sent via www.burbagefuneralhome.com
Dorothy Widgeon-Combs
BERLIN — Dorothy Widgeon-Combs, 89, of Berlin, died Monday, March 28, 2016, at Coastal Hospice at the Lake in Salisbury.
She was born Nov. 13, 1926 in Willards, a daughter of the late Walter and Agnes (Parsons) Davis.
Dorothy graduated from Pittsville High School. She drove a school bus for Worcester County for over 25 years, a job she truly enjoyed. She was a long-time member of Faith Chapel Church in Libertytown where she played the organ and piano and served as choir director. She also served as a 4-H leader in Worcester County for several years with her late husband, James. She loved to fish, sew and crochet, play dominoes and was a wonderful cook. Dorothy will be remembered as someone who was always willing to lend a hand to those in need and volunteered at the Berlin Nursing Home for 10 years, where she developed many wonderful friendships. She is survived by daughters Carolyn Jones of Salisbury and Sue Henman and husband, Tom of Newark; sons Walter Bryan Widgeon and wife, Kimberly and Richard William Widgeon and wife, Karen, all of Berlin; step-sons, Ronnie Combs and wife, Phyllis of Lexington, S.C. and Russell Combs and wife, Abby of Florida; a step-daughter, Bonnie Dennis of Willards; grandchildren, Carol Lynn Littleton and husband, Kenny, Kimberly Jones and husband, Mike, Suzanne Truitt and husband, Joe, Tom Henman, Bryan Widgeon and wife, Nettie and Jason Widgeon; great grandchildren, Ryan Powell, Andrew Truitt, Bradley Widgeon and Cash Widgeon; and a great great grandson, Karson Powell. She is also survived by several step-grandchildren and step- great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her first husband, Bryan Widgeon; her second husband, Howard Combs; a daughter, Agnes Widgeon, who died as an infant; and two brothers, Charles E. Davis and Richard Davis.
A funeral service will be held on Saturday, April 2, 2016 at 2 p.m. at Faith Chapel Church, 8006 Ironshire Station Road, Berlin, Md. 21811, where family and friends may call from 1-2 p.m. Pastor Pam Ruark will officiate. Interment will follow at Evergreen Cemetery in Berlin.
Memorial contributions may be made in her memory to Coastal Hospice, P.O. Box 1733, Salisbury, Md. 21802 or Faith Chapel Church, 8006 Ironshire Station Road, Berlin, Md. 21811.
Please visit www.shortfh.com to send online condolences to her family.
Arrangements are in the care of Short Funeral Home of Delmar.
Frank Anthony Cascio
OCEAN CITY — Frank Anthony Cascio, 80, of Ocean City and formerly of Baltimore and Fallston, passed away on Easter Sunday, March 27, 2016 at his home surrounded by his loving family.
Born in Baltimore, on Jan. 18, 1936, he was a son of the late Rosario Cascio and Catherine Imbragulio Cascio. He had been making his home in Ocean City for the past 40 years.
Frank worked as a meat cutter in Baltimore and after an injury on the job, went to work in Fallston as a draftsman. He later moved his family to Ocean City and purchased The Golden Charm Rooms and Apartments where he was owner and operator for more than 30 years. He loved his job and the relationships he formed with his annual tenants over the years.
He had a great love for the water and enjoyed fishing, crabbing, the beach, and the Boardwalk. He also adored poodles and had them as pets throughout his life. Most of all, he loved spending time with his family, and especially loved being with his grandson.
He is survived by his loving wife of 54 years, Raffaella D. Esposito Cascio; two sons, Frank J. Cascio and his son Colby of Ocean City, and Joseph M. Cascio and his wife Christy and their children Heather Cascio of Florida and Joey Cascio, Jr. of Colorado; and several nieces and nephews.
Along with his parents, he was preceded in death by several brothers and sisters, including a twin brother.
A Mass of Christian Burial, officiated by Father Joseph Patrick Kennedy, will be held at Holy Savior Catholic Church in Ocean City on Saturday, April 2, 2016 at Noon. A viewing for family will be from 10-11 a.m. and a viewing for friends will be from 11 a.m.-noon
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Cascio Family, P.O. Box 525, Ocean City, Md. 21843.
Arrangements are in the care of Bradshaw & Sons Funeral Home in Crisfield. To send condolences please visit our website at www.bradshawandsonsfuneralhome.com
Eneken Frischkorn
BERLIN — Eneken Frischkorn, age 72, passed away on Sunday, March 27, 2016 at Atlantic General Hospital in Berlin.
Born in Estonia, she was the daughter of the late Johannes and Nina Kaup. She was preceded in death by her husband, Frederick Frischkorn. She is survived by her daughter, Katherine Hearne-Bixler and her husband Michael of Wilmington, Del., and two grandchildren, Jade Cornia and her husband Jeremy and Jeff Hearne and his wife Taryne.
Mrs. Frischkorn was a college graduate and a business owner. She was an accomplished artist who loved to paint, had a strong love of flowers, puzzles, and loved her animals. She will be dearly missed by her family.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, April 9, 2016 at noon at the Burbage Funeral Home in Berlin. Friends may call one hour prior to the service. In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to St Jude’s Children’s Hospital. Letters of condolence may be sent via www.burbagefuneralhome.com
Andrea Ayers Straka
BERLIN — Andrea Ayers Straka, age 37, died peacefully on March 28, 2016 at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore.
Born in Salisbury, she was the daughter of entertainer George Straka and the late Margaret “Peggy” Wimbrow Straka. She is survived by her four step-sisters, Kelsey Marie Straka, Sara Elizabeth Straka, Pamela Meninger Straka and Michelle Straka Fountain. She also leaves her devoted friend Bill Mumma of Berlin.
Ms. Straka was a graduate of Stephen Decatur High School Class of 1996, and a 2003 graduate (Summa Cum Laude) of Towson University. While attending Towson, she founded and chaired a sorority dedicated to helping needy children. She was also an animal rights activist. She worked as an advocate for Delmarva Cat Connection and volunteered at cat and dog adoption centers. Andrea was not only an animal lover but a Good Samaritan to one and all.
A funeral service will be held on Saturday, April 2 at 2:30 p.m. at the Burbage Funeral Home in Berlin. Friends may call one hour prior to the service. Rev Ron Schatz will officiate. Interment will follow in Sunset Memorial Park near Berlin.
A donation in her memory may be made to the Worcester County Humane Society, P.O. Box 48, Berlin, Md. 21811, or Delmarva Cat Connection, P.O. Box 1323, Ocean Pines, Md. 21811. Letters of condolence may be sent via www.burbagefuneralhome.com