The News Journal from Wilmington, Delaware • Page A18

18A THE NEWS JOURNAL DELAWAREONLINE.COM FRIDAY, DECEMBER 9, 2016 OBITUARIES Additional Obituaries, A12 RUTH JOHNSON AGE: 100 WILMINGTON FIREFIGHTER ARDYTHE D. "ARDY" HOPE 48 WILMINGTON, DELAWARE she moved to Delaware to be close to her son and his family. Ruth pursued a wide variety of interests throughout her life, including work with the church in various capacities for over 40 years; dancing, bowling and playing cards with one group for over 50 years. While living in Florida, she worked as a volunteer for 12 years with programs that benefitted abused children. While in Delaware, she was a member of the Red Hat Society, the Scarlet Sages.

She is survived by her son, Dr. Charles P. Johnson, and his wife, Ellen; her grandchildren, Brandon and Devin; and her brother, Herbert Shallcross. A funeral service will be held at on Monday, December 12, 2016 at the Doherty Funeral Home, 3200 Limestone Road, Wilmington, DE 19808, where family and friends may visit beginning at Interment will follow in Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Bear, DE. In lieu of flowers, donations in Ruth's memory can be made to Seasons Hospice, 220 Continental Drive, Newark, DE 19713.

Doherty Funeral Home 302-999-8277 To offer condolences, visit: www.dohertyfh.com SENIOR Ardythe Denise Hope (Ardy), daughter of the (late) Arthur Dennis Hope, and Paula Dupree Hope, was born October 5, 1968 in Wilmington, Delaware. She departed this life on December 1, 2016, in the Crozer Medical Center. Ardy received her early education in public schools of Wilmington, Delaware and graduated from Howard Vo Tech in 1986. While attending Howard, she received special awards for Track and Field as the Athlete of the Week, and as a Sophomore Ardy placed first with a time of 19:42.4 in the 5000 meter course at the Delaware high schools Cross Country Championship Meet. After graduating from high school, she attended Barbara Scotia College and the University of Pittsburg where she ran track.

Ardy returned home to Wilmington to raise her daughter Aryelle. Senior Firefighter Ardythe AGE: Ruth Shallcross Johnson, 100, of Pike Creek, DE, passed away at home on Tuesday, December 6, 2016, surrounded by her loving family. Born and raised in North East, MD, she moved to Philadelphia, PA, where she met her husband of 58 years, Charles Johnson. During WWII, Charles had enlisted with the US Navy and Ruth moved to Minnesota to be near him. It is here she gave birth to their son, Charles Philip Johnson.

When her husband was fighting in the Pacific, Ruth returned to Philadelphia, and after the war, they made their home there, while also spending a short time in Columbia, South America. Ruth and Charles eventually retired to Florida. After her husband passed away in 1991, ELIZABETH C. TAYLOR AGE: 95 WILMINGTON, DEL. JOAN ELIZABETH HOMAN AGE: 80 WILMINGTON, DELAWARE and that they were the joy of her life.

Ardy enjoyed vacationing with her family events, backyard barbeques, backyard sleep under the stars with morning cook-outs and drinking coffee, and spending time with her girls. If you know you knew to get yourself checked or she would check you. Ardy is Loving, very caring and straight to the point. What you see is what you get; that was Ardy. Ardy leaves to cherish her memory: Mother, Paula D.

Hope; Daughters, Aryelle D. Hope, Alexis D. Lee, Ardavia D. Lee; Sister, Simone D. Cummings (Bobby); Brothers, Paul L.

Dupree, Mark M. Dupree (Roselynn), and Arthur D. Hope, Granddaughter, Monay Payne; Nieces Nephews, Monet, Joy, Jazmine, Janae, Aaliyah, Artazua, Aria, Ricky, Markavis, Aaron, Mark and Mikey; Aunts Uncles, Pete, Vernell, Carlos, Shirley Dupree; and a host of other relatives, cousins, and friends. A public viewing will be held at the Chase Center on the Riverfront, 815 Justison Street, on Dec. 10, 2016 from 10:00 a.m.

until 12:00 p.m. The memorial and funeral services will commence at 1:00 p.m., and the Hope family will have a reception at the Chase Center immediately following the service. CONGO FUNERAL HOME congofuneralhome.com 302.652.8887 I 1 WILLIAM L. MORRIS (CORNPOP) AGE: 73 William L. Morris passed away with family by his side on Dec.

2, 2016. Home going services will be held at Mother UAME Church 701 5th street on Saturday Dec. 10th. Viewing will be from 10-12pm and services following. Arrangements provided by Bell Funeral Home www.

bellfh.com. HELEN H. ROBERTS AGE: 93 NEW CASTLE Helen H. Roberts, 93, of New Castle passed away peacefully on Tuesday, December 6, 2016 at Capitol Nursing Rehabilitation Center in Dover, DE with her son by her side. Funeral services will be held on Sunday, December 11th at 11 am at Daniels Hutchison Funeral Home, 212 N.

Broad Middle-town, DE. Visitation will be from 10:30 11 am at the funeral home. Interment will follow at Old Drawyers Cemetery. Visit www.daniels-hutchi-son.com to send online r. Elizabeth C.

Taylor (Betty), age 95, of Wilmington, DE died on November 30, 2016 at the Broadmeadow Nursing Home in Middletown. Betty attended St. Anthony's Church, St. Thomas School, and Wilmington High School. She worked for Bell Telephone and ICI as an operator.

She enjoyed family friends, ceramics, embroidery, golf, and the beach. She loved spending her summers in Broadkill Beach, DE and winters in Boca Raton, FL. D. Hope was hired on August 2, 1993 as a member of the 28th Wilmington Fire Department Academy Recruit Class along with 27 other individuals. Upon graduating from the Fire Academy Senior Firefighter Hope was assigned to Engine Company 6 A Platoon.

Senior Firefighter Hope was assigned throughout her career to Engine Companies. Senior Firefighter Hope was currently assigned to Engine Company 5 on the -Platoon. During her career Senior Firefighter Hope has received numerous hours of training in all aspects of the fire service including numerous Pro-Board National Certifications to include Firefighter I II, Fire Service Instructor National Registered Emergency Medical Technician, Fire Officer I and Driver Operator. Senior Firefighter Hope has received numerous letters of appreciation, from members of the community and a City Council Proclamation; she also was awarded the Fire Department's Physical Fitness Award. While working on the Wilmington Fire Department, Ardy managed to attended school in pursuit of a nursing degree.

Ardy received her LPN and was in the process of completing her RN. Along the way, Ardy had two more daughters, Alexis and Ardavia. Ardy made sure that her daughters knew they were loved na Cultural Arts Center and on the Board of Directors at Sanford Preparatory School. She participated in the "Green Club" for inner city kids in the 1980s. Joan is survived by her nephew Robert William (Bill) Permar and his wife Janet and their children Deanna and Anjie, and grandchildren Adam, Jacob, Jared, Bonnie, Sean, Reilly, and Molly, daughter-in-law Liz, and sons-in-law Greg, Rich and Joel; her nephew Thomas (Tom) Andrew Permar, his wife Carol and their children Jessie and Matthew; and nephew James Bradford (Brad) Permar.

Friends and family may visit from 6:00 to 8:00 pm on Monday December 12, 2016 at the CHANDLER FUNERAL HOME, 2506 Concord Pike, Wilmington. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 am on Tuesday December 13 at the Immanuel Episcopal Church, Highlands, 2400 W. 17th Street, Wilmington. Burial will follow the service at Lake Park in Swedes-boro, NJ. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to the Ministry of Caring, 115 E.

14th Street, Wilmington, DE 19801. For online condolences, please visit chandlerfuneralhome.com 302.478.7100 RAYMOND ANTHONY MEKULSKI AGE: 75 MIRAMAR BEACH, FL Passed away on Saturday, December 3, 2016 at the Grand Boulevard Health Rehabilitation Center in Mi-ramar Beach. Born in Danville, PA, Ray was the son of the late Anthony and Mildred (O'Neill) Mekulski. He served in the U.S. Air Force and was a graduate of Goldey Beacom College.

He worked in sales in the Corporate Jet Aviation Field, retiring from In-notech Aviation in Montreal, Canada as sales manager. An avid golfer and sports lover, he was most proud of his two holes-in-one. He will be dearly missed by his wife of 13 years, Paula (Lobingier) Mekulski; his son and daughter-in-law, Jeffrey and Danielle Mekulski of Hockessin; his grandchildren, Brayden and Gavia; and a brother and sister-in-law Gregory and Donna Mekulski of Mechan-icsburg, PA. A committal service will be celebrated on Saturday, December 10th at 10:30 at the chapel of All Saints Cemetery, 6001 Kirkwood Highway, Wilmington. Online condolences may be made at MealeyFuneralHomes.com (302) 652-5913 NANCY VANKOUWENBERG AGE: 71 MIDDLETOWN Nancy Ann VanKouwen-berg, age 71 of Middletown, DE, formerly of upstate New York, passed away on Tuesday December 6, 2016 surrounded by her loving family.

Nancy was a realtor and mother of two. She is survived by her husband Gordon VanKouwen-berg, her daughters Lori Weinrick (Dwight) of Bear, Robin Jackson of Landen-berg, her son Pete VanKou-wenberg of St. Louis, grandchildren Jennifer Almoney, Lauren Jackson, Kyle Jackson, and great grandchild Taryne Markle. A Funeral Service will be held on Monday December 12, 2016 at 11:00 am at Beeson Funeral Home, 2053 Pulaski Highway, Newark DE 19702. The visitation will begin at 10:00 at the funeral home.

Burial service will immediately follow at Gracelawn Memorial Park. For online condolences please visit beesonfuneralhome.com 302-453-1900 JAMES W.YANCY The Family of James W. Yancy (Coach Yancy of Christiana Brandywine High School) wishes to inform you that he transitioned from this life to his heavenly home on Saturday December 3rd 2016. A viewing will be held from 9 11am, and the home going celebration in his honor will be held at 11am Saturday December 10th at Mt Moriah Apostolic Church, 6840 Paschall Ave Philadelphia PA 19142. Interment at Washington Crossing National Cemetery, 830 Highland Road, Newtown, PA 18940.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations are made to Mt Moriah Apostolic Church, (address above), or Agape Christian Church, 4935-47 Greene Philadelphia PA 19144. Arrangements by James L. Morse Funeral Home 4000 Haverford Ave Philadelphia PA 19104 215-382-4322. IN MEMORIAM Happy Birthday Josephine Longacre 120938-05082016 If roses grow in Heaven Lord, please pick a bunch for us. Place them in Josephine's arms and tell her they're from us.

Tell her we love her miss her when she smiles, place a kiss upon her cheek hold her for awhile. Remembering her is easy, we do it every day, but there is an ache within our hearts that will never go away. Happy Birthday, With Love Bill, Children, Grandchildren, NICHOLAS M. VALIANTE, JR. AGE: 80 FENWICK ISLAND She was preceded in death by her first husband James A.

O'Neill (Rube), second husband Roy Taylor, daughter Kathleen Taylor, and niece Carol Jewett. She is survived by her daughter Patricia O'Neill, Brother Buddy Carney and his wife Edie, Sisters; Kitty Dur-nan, Anne Marie Donovan, Peggy Sharp and her husband Steve all of Wilmington; her Grandchildren Cari Flowers, James Sheehan, Michael Sheehan, Brooke King, Courtney Blackford and 8 Great-grandchildren. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, December 9, 2016 at at Saint Joseph's on the Brandywine Church, 10 Old Church Rd, Wilmington, DE 19807. Interment will follow in Cathedral Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the local VFW.

For online condolences, please visit chandlerfuneralhome.com 302.478.7100 became Chief of Police for New Castle County and later Director of Public Safety. Following his career in law enforcement he worked for the law firm of Young Con-away Stargatt Taylor. Nick is survived by his loving wife of 55 years, Ellen Lynch Valiante, his daughter, Kristin Chalfant (Rick) and son, Dr. Nicholas M. Valiante (Monia) and 4 wonderful grandchildren Richard, Alex, Rowan and Sarah.

Also surviving Nick are his sister, Ann Williamson and brother, Louis Valiante and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents Nicholas M. Valiante and Mary Palumbo, and his brothers Angelo and Albert. A memorial service will be held on Sat, Dec 10th at 1pm with visitation from noon 1pm at Mealey Funeral Home, 2509 Limestone Road, Wilmington. Burial will be private.

In lieu of flowers, donations to Home of the BraveVeterans Homeless Shelter would be appreciated (6632 Sharps Rd, Milford, DE 19963). Online condolences may be made at MealeyFuneralHomes.com (302) 652-5913 Joan Elizabeth Homan, age 80, of Wilmington, DE, passed away on December 7, 2016 at St. Francis Hospital. Joan graduated from San-ford Preparatory School in the Spring of 1954. She was on a scholarship for field hockey, and she was the class "gavel girl" in her senior year.

She attended classes in Munich and Parish in 1954 and 1955. Joan earned her BS in Education in 1959 from the University of Delaware and her Masters Degree from Syracuse University in 1965. She was employed as a fourth and fifth grade teacher at Cedar Hill Elementary from September 1959 to May 1964. Afterwards, she taught at Stubbs Elementary and then at Henry Brader Elementary retiring in 1996. Joan was president of the Board of Directors Christi mm lull1 ii hl''Ki'iiiiii 'i pi JOSEPH "TROY" JONES AGE: 51 Joseph "Troy" Jones age 51 went in the Loving Arms of Jesus Christ on Monday, Dec.

5, 2016. Troy leaves to cherish fond memories his wife Shearlere Jones; (2) daughters, Kaitlynn and Cheyenne; (1) stepdaughter Dushera (3) sons, Joseph, Caleb and Noah, a host of other close family and friends. Viewing will be held Sunday, Dec. 11, 2016 at St. Paul U.A.M.E Church, 3114 N.

Market St. De. from 4-6pm, Home going service will follow. Internment will be Monday, Dec. 12, 2016 at 10am Silverbrook Cemetery.

Professional Services provided by Lewis M. Hunt-Irving Funeral Home, 407 E. 9th St. Chester, PA. 19013 (610) 872-2500 Passed away peacefully on Dec 6, 2016, surrounded and held by his loving family.

Nick was born in Wilmington, DE on May 26, 1936 and retired to Fenwick Island, DE (so the grandchildren would visit more After attending Salesian-um, Nick served in the Navy for 6 years, the last several as a "tincan" sailor and actually saw the world. Upon leaving the Navy, he earned his pilot's license and loved flying. He then joined the Wilmington Police Force where he rose to the rank of Inspector. During that time, he helped to bring about the Mounted Police Patrol. After retiring from the Wilmington Police Force, he.