The News Journal from Wilmington, Delaware • Page 15

TUESDAY, MARCH 19, 2002 THE NEWS JOURNAL B5 Age 91 of Laurel, DE died Monday, March. 18, 2002 at his granddaughter's residence in Laurel. He retired in 1960 as a selfemployed truck driver and in 1997 as a dispatcher for DelDOT. She was born in Laurel, DE to the late Walter E. and Effie Waller Layton.

He is survived by a granddaughter and her husband, Michelle and Matt Kirk of Laurel, DE; 2 daughters, Carolyn Massey of Delmar, DE and Arlese Obara of Baltimore; 3 grandsons; 2 brothers, Alfred Layton and Everett Layton, both Laurel; 2 sisters, Edna Allen of Seaford and Nora Lee Callaway of Laurel; and 4 great granddaughters. He was preceded in death by a sister, Ruth Dean. A funeral will be held Friday, March 22, 2002. at 2 pm in SHORT FUNERAL HOME, 700 West Laurel. The Reverend Lem Hudson will officiate.

Interment will be in Melsons Cemetery in Delmar, MD. Friends may call 1 hour prior to the service. Memorial contributions may be made in his memory to Delaware Hospice, 600 DuPont Georgetown, DE 19947. Roland Gray Layton William G. Mae Age 78 of Dover died Saturday, March 16, -2002 at Bay Health Center in Dover.

He is survived by his companion, Mary Benson; 3 sisters, Roberta Guy, Bessie Howell, and Violet Wheeler; 2 brothers, Payton May and Thomas May; and a host of family. Funeral services will be Friday 12 noon at Mt. Zion Church, Queen Fulton Dover, DE. Viewing will be Fri10-12 noon at the church. Interment will be at Sharon Hill Cemetery in Dover.

Professional services entrusted to the MAY FUNERAL HOMES Camden Pennsauken, NJ Delores Margaret Malone Age 53 of Laurel, DE died Sunday, March 17, 2002 at Beebe Hospital. Service 10:30 am Wednesday, March 20th at SHORT FUNERAL HOME, 700 West 'S Laurel, DE." Friends may call 1 hour prior. Lucille B. McCaul Age 80 of Wilmington, DE, died Saturday, 2002 at the Christiana Hospital in Newark, DE. There will be a service 11 am Tuesday, March 19 at St.

Mary's Church, Washington St. Lea Wilmington, where friends may call from 10-11 am. Interment will be private. Arrangements by BELL MEMORIAL CHAPEL Anne Carmela Mercante passed away Saturday morning, March 2002 in the St. Francis Hospital.

Mrs. Mercante was born and raised in Wilmington, DE. She retired as systems analyst from the DuPont Company. She was very active in the deaf community. First getting involved in ministering to the deaf because her son, Bill is hearing impaired.

She set up one of the first religious education programs for the deaf in the diocese of Wilmington. Initially meeting at St. Joseph's on the Brandywine. She was also very involved in the startup of the Sterck School for the hearing impaired in Delaware, serving as a member of the PTA and various school committees. She was noted for her cooking, primarily of various Italian specialties.

She is survived by her 6 sons and their wives, John and Christine, Eugene and Mary Lou, and William all of Wilmington, James and Barbara of Landenberg, PA, Charles and Theresa of Norristown, PA and Anthony and Cindy of Fort Drum, 'her NY; her 12 grandchildren; and 2 sister, Rita Archangelo and Rose Grieco, both of Wilmington. She was preceded in death by her parents, Pasquale and Antoinette Solge; and her 2 brothers, Eugene P. Solge, Sr. and Joseph F. Solge, Sr.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend the Mass of Christian Burial at St. Mary Magdalen Church, Concord Pike Sharpley Rd on Wednesday morning, March 20, 2002 at 10:30 am. Entombment will be in the Cathedral Cemetery. Friends may call at the DOHERTY FUNERAL HOME, 3200 Limestone Rd, Pike Creek, on Tuesday evening from 6-9 pm. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Wilmington Club for the deaf, 620 Van Buren Wilmington, DE 19805.

www.dohertyth.com Mrs. Anne Carmela Mercante, age 79 of Wilmington, DE Alice Jane Meunier Age 64, died early Sunday morning, March 17, 2002 in Kent General, Dover, DE. ward Alys Jane Frysinger She wand the daughter of EdCantwell who are deceased. Her brother, Edward B. Cantwell, Jr.

and his a wife, Jane of Hampton, VA, and their 2 children, Edward B. Cantwell, Ill of Gloucester, VA, and' Colleen Mary Sakow of St. Petersburg, FL, survive her. Her children are: Paul Edward Viehman of Pismo Beach, CA, Valerie Stein and her husband Jeffrey of Wilmington, and Alice Jane Keesser of Newark, DE. Her 4 grandchildren are Jacqueline and Samantha Stein and Krystle and Eric Keesser.

She leaves her husband of 23 years, Paul L. Meunier, Jr. of Smyrna, DE. She was deeply loved and will be dearly missed. A Memorial Mass will be offered for her in the church of St.

Catherine of Siena on Centerville Rd. on Saturday, March 23 at 10 am. Friends may call at the Church after 9:30 am. Interment will be private. The family requests no flowers and suggests contributions to the Delaware Humane Society, 701 A Wilmington, DE 19801 or to the building fund of St.

Polycarp's Church in Smyrna, DE. Arrangements by CHANDLER FUNERAL HOMES CREMATORY www.chandlerfuneralhome.com Gladys Mierzejewski Born on July 16, 1926, passed away March 15, 2002 Ft. Lauderdale, FL. She is survived by beloved son, Joseph Mierzejewski, with whom she lived for the past 4 years. She moved to FL to be with son, after the death of her loving, husband, Henry R.

Mierzejewski. Also survived by sisters, Martha Orth of Bethlehem, PA, Sue Francis of Las Vegas, NV, Jean Gorman of OR; brothers, Ernest Muller of Las Vegas, NV and William Dong Foun of Palm Springs, CA; sister-in-law, Sophie Miske of Wilmington, 'DE; and many nieces and nephews. Relatives and friends are invited to attend a funeral mass at 10 am on Friday, March 22 in St. Catherine of Seina Church, Centerville Rd. Burial will follow in the Cathedral Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family request donations be made in her name to the charity of your choice. Arrangements by JOHN YASIK FUNERAL HOME Hope Ewing Nelle Apr. 14, 1919-Mar. 4, 2002 Born in Philadelphia, PA died March 4, 2002. She educated in A Allentown, WaRA and married Richard F.

Nelle of Beaver Falls, PA. She was an original model at Hess Allentown, PA and was director of Youth Services at Delaware ter of the American Red Cross. She loved nature, sewing, knitting and most of all her family. For 59 years Hope E. ruled the roost with an iron fist, which was covered with down filled velvet.

Her daughters, Faith Nelle Tarring and Charity Jennings; granddaughters, All Serapilio and Hannah Witcher; and her great grandson, Mason Ewing Witcher, will missed her more than words can express. A memorial service will be held March 23, 2002 at 11 am at Zion Lutheran Church, Ave. and Bancroft Wilmington, DE. The family requests any honorarium to be sent to Compassionate Care Hospice, 623 W. Newport Pike, Wilmington, DE 19804.

Robert L. Oakman Of Edgemoor Terrace, Wilmington, age 45 passed away at home surrounded by his family on Sunday, March 17, 2002. Mr. Oakman was employed by the Mac-Direct Co. in New Castle.

He enjoyed fishing and hunting. He was a member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles Robert was loved by many and will be sadly missed. Survived by his mother, Mary J. Oakman; brothers, Enos "Frank" Oakman, Fredrick J. Oakman and Anthony J.

Oakman all of Wilmington; sisters, Mary Jane Scott of and Barbara Steele of Middletown. A funeral service held Thursday, March 21, 2002 at 8 pm at the Gebhart Funeral Home, 3401 Philadelphia Pike, Claymont, where friends may call' Thursday evening from 7-9 pm. Burial will be private. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, 92 Reads Way, New Castle, DE 19720 or Delaware Hospice, 3515 Silverside Wilmington, DE GEBHART FUNERAL HOMES of New Castle County PLANNING YOUR ESTATE? Consider giving The Needy Family Fund, a private, nonprofit effort run by The News Journal that raises money for those in need in our community. DONATIONS: Monetary donations, as well as stocks and other securities, be given year-round to the Annual Fund and to the Endowment may NEEDY Fund.

Gifts of $500 or more may be designated to go to the Needy FAMILY Family Endowment Fund. For information on the Endowment Fund, contact the Delaware Community Foundation at 571-8004. For information on contributing to the Annual Fund, contact 324-2560. IN NEED OF HELP: The Salvation Army and Delaware's Division of State Service Centers distribute the funds to people who are in need of basic necessities such as food, shelter, utilities and other emergency needs. If you already receive public assistance, please contact the Division of State Services at 577-4965 ext.

14. Otherwise, call the Salvation Army at 656-1667 ext. 29. Funds are not disbursed by The News Journal. Jane Fayette Perry Age, 83 of Newark, 2002 DE died Saturday, March 16, at the Christiana Hospital.

Mrs. Perry was a homemaker and former owner of Bunny's Grill. She was a loving, caring mother and grandmother. Her family was the center of her life. She was a member of the Newark United Methodist Church and a member of the Order of Eastern Star.

Her husband Bayard Perry and a brother, Robert Trethaway, preceded her in death. Mrs. Perry is survived by her 2 sons, Michael and Thomas Perry; and 3 daughters, Mary Lou Bashore, Kristin Baynes, both of Newark, DE and Theresa McGalliard of Middletown, DE; 10 grandchildren, Robert Ward Bashore, Michael (Tony) Bashore, Michelle Jane Baynes, Michael Perry, Katie R. Perry, Nicholas A. Perry, Chelsea M.

Perry, and Chloe E. Perry, all of Newark, Tiffany H. McGalliard of Middletown and Rebecca J. Roberts of Elkton, MD. A niece, Barbara Garlic of Dover, DE; and a host of friends and neighbors also survive her.

Services will be private. Memorial donations may be made to The Spinal Cord Injury Foundation, the R.T. FOARD AND JONES FUNERAL HOME, 122 W. Main Newark, DE 19711. www.rtfoard.com Karen J.

Pollard Age 46 of Newark, DE, formerly of Mateo, CA died at home on Mar. 14, 2002. Karen is survived by her husband, Thomas D. Pollard; and her 3 cherished daughters, Brae, Ashley Kaylan; parents, Edson Geraldine Russell; brothers, Jack, Keith, John, Randy Steve Russell; sisters, Diane Hardy Belinda Nerz. Services and burial will be private.

STRANO FEELEY FAMILY FUNERAL HOME 731-5459 See expanded obituary: www.strano-feeley.com Lillian E. Ramsey Age 87 of Elkton, MD died suddenly in Union Hospital on Friday, March 15, 2002. Services will be held privately. Arrangements by MCCRERY FUNERAL HOME Richard S. Schwetz Mr.

Richard S. Schwetz, age 73, of Newark, DE, died on Sunday, March 17, 2002 at Christiana Hospital in Newark. Born in Shenandoah, PA, to the late Simon and Adella (Lavitsky). Schwetz, Mr. Schwetz was a 1 US Navy veteran of World War Il.

He was a foreman in the hard trim department of General Motors at the Boxwood Road site, retiring in 1985 after 33 years of service. He is survived by his wife, Leona Petusky Schwetz; daughter, Marian A. March and her husband, Adrien, of Boca Raton, FL; and a nephew; and 2 nieces. Funeral services will be private. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Association, 100 W.

10th Street, Ste. 1002, Wilmington, DE, 19801. To send condolences, visit: www. www.spicer-mullikinfuneralhomes.com Arthur J. "Art" Sullivan Age 86 of Wilmington, formerly of Hockessin, died on March 16.1 2002 after a long, courageous battle with Alzheimer's.

Art was a native of Framingham, MA and received his degree in Mechanical Engineering from Lowell Institute. He moved to the DE area 57 years ago as an employee of DuPont. He was employed at Louviers retiring in 1979. Art was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and friend. He survived by his wife of 60 years, Betty; son, Richard and his wife Susan; son Robert; daughter, Susan Tre and her husband, Chuck; his sister, Alice Hannigan; and his 2 grandchildren, Erin Paul.

He was a gifted athlete, a talented artist, and a kind and loving person. He will be missed by all who knew him. Friends may call on the family at 9:30 am on Wednesday, March 20 at the CHANDLER FUNERAL HOME, 2506 Concord Pike. A prayer service will follow at 10:30 am. Interment will be held in All Saints Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Alzheimer's Association, Delaware Chapter, 2306 Kirkwood Highway, Wilmington, DE 19805. www.chandlerfuneralhome.com Roberta D. Walls Age 88 of Milton, DE died Mar. 16, 2002 at Green Valley Terrace-Millsboro. Memorial service 2 pm Mar.

22 at Wesleyan Church, Union Milton. Friends may call 11-1 pm at SHORT FUNERAL SERVICES, 416 Federal Milton. Cremation Services -ofDelaware 762-0334 Simple Economic Dignified James L. Williams Age 65 formerly of Wilmington, DE passed away Friday, March 15, 2002 at home in Limerick, PA. A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered Wednesday morning March 20 at 11.

am in St. Hedwig's Church with burial to follow in All Saint's Cemetery. Visitation for relatives and friends will be Wednesday morning at 8:30 am at the JOHN F. YASIK FUNERAL HOME, 607 S. Harrison St.

Family requests memorial contributions be sent to the American Heart Association, 1096 Old Churchmans Newark, DE 19713. Haven U.M. Church. Arr. by CONGO Marsha L.

Winfield Age 53 died March 15, 2002 at her residence. Beloved mother of Robert L. Jones Daughter of Dora Winfield the late Conway Winfield, Sr. Sister of Kenneth Winfield, Barbara Bilops Conway Winfield, Jr. Also 3 grandchildren, Paris, Allegra Jaleena.

Funeral 11 am Mar. 21 at Haven U.M. Church, 1709 W. 3rd St. Viewing 8-11 only.

Burial Silverbrook. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Harry Wolf Harry Wolf Formerly of Brandywine died Friday, March Forwood Manor in his 98th year. Mr. Wolf was born in Philadelphia, PA to Adolph and Sarah Wolf. He was chairman and president of Wolf Liquor Company in Hills, 15, 2002 in from 1949-1975.

He was a member of Temple Beth Emeth since 1939, where he was the founding chairman of the Brotherhood and Religious School. He founded the first Jewish Boy Scout Troop in DE at Temple Beth Emeth during the 1940s. From 1944-1947, he was president of the congregation. During his presidency, led the initiative to build the current temple on Lea Blvd. From 1943- 1946, he was a member of the board of directors of the YMHA.

From 1944-1946, he was a member of the board of directors of the Jewish Federation. During the 1940s, he served as a member of the fundraising committee for the YMCA at Walnut Streets. From 1944-1947, he was a member of the board of directors of Hebrew Union College in Cincinnati, OH and a founding member of the Brandywine Country Club. Mr. Wolf was a generous, unsung, supporter Sisters the Poor, St.

Anthony's parish and other causes. His first wife, Etta Galler Wolf, died in 1942. His second wife, Millye Belfint Wolfe, died in 1985. Survivors include his daughter, Geri E. Singer of Sicklerville, NJ; and sons, S.

Allen Wolf of Claymont, DE and Barry B. Wolf of Hockessin; as well as 7 grandchildren; 12 great grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. All are welcome to a his funeral service 12:30 pm Tuesday afternoon, March 19 at Temple Beth Emeth with interment in the Beth Emeth Cemetery. You are also welcome to call on his family 6-8 pm Monday evening, March 18 in the CHANDLER FUNERAL HOME, 2506 Concord Pike, Wilmington. In place of flowers, the family suggests a contribution to the American Cancer Society, 92 Reads Way, Suite 205, New Castle, www.chandlertuneralhome.com Shirley Zimmerman (nee Miller) Died on March 17, 2002.

Wife of the late Joseph Zimmerman. Mother of Larry (Faye) Zimmerman. Grandmother of Jason Zimmerman. Funeral services were held Monday at Roosevelt Memorial Park, Trevose, PA. Contributions in her memory may be made to the Kutz Nursing Home, 704 River Wilmington, DE 19809.

Shiva will be observed at the home of Larry and Faye Zimmerman. Arrangements GOLDSTEINS ROSENBERGS RAPHAEL SACKS Philadelphia, PA To Our Readers The News Journal Company offers ten lines of an Obituary free of charge for the first insertion. Families who wish to present additional information may do so at a nominal fee. Military, organization, and patriotic emblems are available upon request. For further information, and to place an Obituary, please consult your funeral director.

"Today' show's chimpanzee trainer dies at 80 Carmine 'Bud' Mennella helped save TV program in 1950s with his animal Carmine "Bud" Mennella, the trainer of J. Fred Muggs, the chimpanzee who helped save NBC's "Today" show from ratings gloom in the 1950s, died Sunday in Tampa, Fla. He was 80 and had suffered from Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases. Mennella had aspired to a career as an opera singer but, impeded by terrible stage fright, went to work as an NBC page instead. At the network he met his partner, LeRoy Waldron, with whom he later opened pet shop in Glen Rock, N.J.

An animal importer told them of a chimp newly arrived from French Cameroon. Mennella was enchanted from the moment he laid eyes on the 10-month-old simian, and borrowed $600 to buy him. Trading on his NBC contacts, Mennella put Muggs to work. After a successful appearance on the Perry Como show, Muggs landed an audition in early 1953 with the year-old "Today" show, NBC's experiment in earlymorning news programming that was slumping badly in the ratings. On the morning of the audition, Muggs and his trainers were delayed by icy roads and missed the appointment.

They retired to a nearby coffee shop, where Muggs had a doughnut and began dunking it in a cup of coffee. A small crowd gathered. Among the fascinated were James Dean, the movie heartthrob, and an NBC executive. The next thing Mennella knew, "the president of NBC said, 'I want the The magnetic Muggs was signed to a contract and became, to the dismay of "Today" show host Dave Garroway and other serious journalists, a sensation. Dubbed Garroway's "righthand monkey," he sat on the anchor man's lap, his leash concealed and held by Mennella or Waldron, who hid under the desk.

Garroway bantered with and interviewed him. Muggs played in skits. The "Today" show's ratings rocketed within weeks, and two dozen new sponsors were signed. Fan mail for Muggs poured in. Although Garroway appeared enjoy his sidekick on air, Muggs' fame irked him.

was an open secret at Radio City that the two were on-again, offagain pals," Robert Metz wrote in his 1977 book "The Today Show: An Inside Look at 25 Tumultuous Years." BIRTHS By ELAINE WOO Los Angeles Times F.H. According to Mennella, Garroway took revenge in various ways, trying to slam Muggs' hands in a drawer and spiking his orange juice with drugs to make him misbehave. "The sad thing was, Muggs loved Dave," the trainer told the St. Petersburg Times several years ago. "But Dave was so jealous of Muggs being famous that it began to eat at him." After almost five years, Muggs' contract expired at NBC.

The reasons were disputed by Mennella, who said Muggs was let go because Garroway was jealous. But Metz, the "Today" show chronicler, said it was because Muggs had become a very strong and unruly chimp who took a nip out of Martha Raye during a rehearsal and chomped on Garroway's cheek. He appeared on television variety shows and performed around the world alongside Bob Judy Garland and other celebrities. In 1972 he moved to Florida with Mennella, Waldron and Mennella's son, Gerald Preis, to perform at Busch Gardens. The team stayed there when Muggs retired three years later.

Mennella gave Muggs his own cottage, complete with a television, a radio and thousands of autographed celebrity pictures. The compound had a yard landscaped like a jungle. Mennella was so protective of Muggs after the chimp retired that he refused newspaper requests to photograph him on special occasions. This contributed to rumors that Muggs was dead. On the 40th anniversary of the "Today" show in 1992, Muggs was spoofed on-air in a segment called "Unsolved Miseries," which concluded that the chimp had been "fertilizing daffodils" for years.

Mennella, who had tried in vain to earn royalties every time tapes of Muggs' were aired, was not amused. "He made millions for NBC, and this is the way he's treated," the trainer told the Orlando Sentinel Tribune at the time. "It's nothing to make fun of." The controversy apparently was laid to rest in 1998 when a Florida fish and game officer investigating a break-in at the Mennella compound asked to see Muggs. later told a local newspaper that he was shown a healthy, mature chimp named Muggs. But the officer fined Mennella $5 for possessing wildlife without a valid permit.

Mennella had to appear in court to clear up the matter. CHRISTIANA HOSPITAL Boettger Heather and Thomas, Wilmington, March 15, son. Bosch Joette and John, Wilmington, March 16, daughter. Brown Tracey and James, Middletown, March 15, son. Brooker Twanda, New Castle, March 16, daughter.

Carlisle Marla, Wilmington, March 14, daughter. Ellis Erica, Middletown, March 17, son. Granger Shelley, North East, March 16, daughter. Hassan Mariam and Mustafa, Newark, March 16, son. Hower Sharon and James Kennett Square, March 16, daughter.

Iacocca Mary and Albert, Talleyville, March 15, daughter. Jarrell Jennifer, Wilmington, March 17, daughter. Johnson Hillary, Delaware City, March 15, son. Miles Antoinette, Wilmington, March 16, daughter. Miller Jennifer and Adam, Pennsville, N.J., March 15, son.

Mitchell Latroy, Newark, March 16, son. North Theresa and Bradford, Middletown, March 15, daughter. Poppiti Alicia and Carmine, Marydel, March 17, son. Reed Kimberly and Robert, Middletown, March 16, son. Saunders Cynthia, Wilmington, March 16, son.

Schulte Krista, Newark, March 14, daughter. Staats Deshaunda, Wilmington, March 16, daughter. Starkey Mevelin, Elsmere, March 16, daughter. Sylvester Cynthia and Anthony, Wilmington, March 16, daughter. Thomas Nayyirah, Wilmington, March 15, daughter.

Thompson Deborah and George Wilmington, March 16, son. Turner Taquania, Wilmington, March 16, son. Wideman Nicole, Wilmington, March 16, daughter. Whiteman Emily and Michael, Newark, March 16, son. Yarrusso Andrea, New Castle, March 15, daughter.

Peace Of Preplanning is the best way to help your family at an already emotional time. There are many good reasons to consider preplanning your funeral arrangements. When you preplan, you spare the family the unnecessary burden of making difficult decisions at a stressful time. Your family is able to focus on supporting one another instead of arranging a funeral. And preplanning assures that your personal preferences will be carried out as you intended.

Doherty Funeral Homes can help you plan a meaningful, personalized service that reflects your wishes. For a free funeral cost estimate call Doherty Funeral Homes or visit our website. DOHERTY FUNERAL, HOMES WILMINGTON PIKE CREEK 652.6811 999.8277 www.DohertyFH.com "We're here to help you in every way possible. Our facilities are here at your convenience and our staff provides you the highest quality of service, guaranteed." Bill Doherty, President.