Nelson Eckert
Nelson Eckert died Tuesday, May 31, 2016, in Lewes.
He was born in Pottsville, Pa., to Esther and Franklin Eckert in 1941. He spent his early days in Schuylkill Haven, Pa., and later joined the Air Force to serve in Libya and Germany. Nelson eventually moved to Wilmington to attend Goldey-Beacom College and moved to the Reading, Pa., area years later. Nursing was his passion, and he worked in the field for many years.
Nelson was a very active member of his church; he loved singing in the choir and praise band, playing the keyboard, riding his bike, and being outside. He was friendly, talkative, and his laugh was one to remember. Those of us who knew and loved him will never forget the joy he brought into our lives.
He is survived by three daughters: Colette, Katie and Barbara; three grandchildren: Sophia, Arya, and Sidney; and his beloved partner, Cray.
A memorial service was held Saturday, June 4, at 11 a.m., with a visitation at 10 a.m., at Lutheran Church of our Savior, 20276 Bay Vista Road, Rehoboth Beach. Burial was private.
Mack Emmert
Mackey (Mack) Emmert passed away Friday, June 3, 2016, at his home in Georgetown. Born July 7, 1925, in Chambersburg, Pa., to L. DeForest and Emily Emmert, he lived and worked for many years in Wilmington and Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
Mack grew up in suburban Philadelphia, Pa. After service in the Navy during World War II, he attended Penn State University and the Harvard Business School. He also attended the University of Wales in Aberstwyth, Wales.
A business consultant and entertainer, he was active in many charitable activities. As part of the 1958 Red Feather campaign, he organized a flight over Wilmington by the balloon used for the motion picture Around the World in Eighty Days, and appeared as Jiminy Cricket. For this and his other charitable activities he was named Wilmington and Delaware’s Young Man of the Year by the Junior Chamber of Commerce.
Among other charitable activities were treasurer and business manager of OperaDelaware, a founder of AIDS Delaware, and service on the YMCA Central Branch board of managers, YMCA World Service Committee, and Wemyss Foundation. His work as an AIDS volunteer was recognized with an award from AARP and described in a chapter in Chicken Soup for the Volunteer’s Soul.
His accomplishments included the installation of a solar salt water purification project on the Greek island of Symi.
His Mack’s Marionettes have appeared on television, in commercials, shows, and movies as well as theaters and nightclubs all over the world. He was a member of the Wilmington Drama League, the Arden Players Guild, the Lyceum Players, and the Brandywiners. Among his roles was Harry Beaton in Brigadoon and Puck in A Midsummer Night’s Dream.
He was predeceased by his twin, Lillian (Dede) Emmert; and a former partner, Karl Franz. He is survived by his husband, Evan M. Bush; his nieces, Robin Cushman and Shawn Bachtler; a former partner, Bernard Sullivan; his stepson and several granddaughters, grand-nephews, and grand-nieces.
A celebration of Mack’s life is planned for late July.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Opera Delaware; The Mack Emmert Trustee Scholarship in the College of Arts and Architecture, Penn State University, University Park, Pa; AIDS Delaware; Delaware Hospice; Alzheimer Association, and Metropolitan Community Church of Rehoboth Beach.
Dale Kinsey
Dale R. Kinsey Jr., 54, of Rehoboth, formerly of Easton, Pa. and Roseto, Pa., died Sunday, June 5, 2016, in Beebe Healthcare, Lewes, surrounded by his family.
He worked as a bus driver and custodian for Faith Christian School and later as a bus driver and maintenance worker for the Bangor Area School District in Pennsylvania for many years. Later, he accepted a position with the Cape Henlopen School District as a maintenance and grounds worker. He remained there as a supervisor until retiring due to illness.
Dale enjoyed life and did not let his cancer diagnosis get him down. He loved going out with friends in Rehoboth and in the Lehigh Valley, and also enjoyed camping at Big Oaks Camp Ground in the earlier years in Delaware, and more recently Woods Camp Ground in Lehighton Pa.
Services in Rehoboth Beach, will be announced at jamesfuneralhome.org, when confirmed.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to CAMP Rehoboth, 37 Baltimore Ave., Rehoboth Beach, DE 19971.
Medford King
Medford S. King died June 8, 2016. He was born in Georgetown in 1928 to Clyde and Emma King, but lived most of his life in Milton where he was a large presence, adding to the character and color of the town.
Medford graduated from Milton High School in 1947. He joined the Army reserves in 1950 and served for four more years in active duty. He retired from General Foods in Dover.
Upon retirement, Med became involved in his community through the Milton Historical Society. Medford also attended Goshen Methodist Church, where he was a long-time member.
Medford’s love of cars and driving began with the purchase of a 1957 Chevy. Through the years this Chevy man bought several Camaros and Corvettes, and enjoyed spending time cruising the roads of Sussex County until shortly before his death.
Funeral Services were held Monday, June 13. Donations should be made to Milton Historical Society, Tunnell Cancer Center, or Goshen Methodist Church.