We Remember Those Who Have Pasted

Jane S. Straughan

BERLIN - Jane S. Straughan, 93, of Fenwick Island and Silver Spring, Md., died Monday March 12, 2007 at Berlin Nursing and Rehabilitation Center.

Born in Washington , DC she was the daughter of the late Charles W. and Minnie Wineheimer Sincell.

She became a pioneer in women's aviation. She learned to fly at Queen's Chapel Airport in Hyattsville, Md. and obtained her commercial pilot's license in 1938. She was the only woman to work in the aviation department at ERCO demonstrating airplanes to potential buyers. She was also a member of the elite 'Ninety-Nines,' an organization of female pilots founded in 1929 whose first president was Amelia Earhart. During World War II, she joined the Women's Air Force Service Pilots. Of the 25,000 who applied, only 1800 were chosen, 1073 became certified, and Jane was in the first class of 23 women to be trained to fly military aircraft. She was assigned to the New Castle Army Air Base, specializing in ferrying military aircraft around the country, thus freeing male pilots for combat and other war related efforts. The WASPs was deactivated in 1945 and no woman would fly a US military aircraft again until 1977.

From 1945-1948, she served on the Civil Aeronautics Board in Washington, DC as an Aircraft Accident Analyst. Later she went to work for the Social Security Administration as a Field Representative, retiring in 1981 after more than 20 years of service.

She is survived by two sons, John W. 'Jack' Straughan and wife Kathy of Olney, Md. and Charles W. 'Bill' Straughan and wife Mary Lou of Selbyville, Del., and a step-daughter, Betty Ann Riddel of Winter Haven, Fla. She is also survived by three grandchildren, Jason K. Straughan, Erin L. Straughan and Paige A. Straughan, and one great-grandson, Jackson P. Straughan. She was preceded in death by her husband Alfred W. 'Al' Straughan in 1981 and her grandson Scott R. Straughan in 2003.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, March 24 at 1 p.m. at St. Matthew's By-The-Sea United Methodist Church, 1000 Coastal Highway, Fenwick Island, Del. Interment, with full military honors, will be on Tuesday, May 15, 2007 at 1 p.m. at Arlington National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Field of Firsts Foundation, 1985 Cpl. Frank Scott Drive, College Park, Md. 20740 or St. Matthews-By-The-Sea United Methodist Church, 1000 Coastal Hwy., Fenwick Island , Del. 19944. Arrangements by Hastings Funeral Home. Letters of condolence may be sent to the family by visiting www.delmarvaobits.com

Bertha A. Shockley

STOCKTON - Bertha A. Shockley, 60, died at Peninsula Regional Hospital on Tuesday, March 13, 2007.

Born in Salisbury, she was the daughter of the late John B. Johnson and Madonna Sharp Johnson. She is survived by her husband, Howard L. Shockley, and two children, James E. Lank and his wife Paula of Fruitland and Donna Lank Twigg and her husband Dennis of Pocomoke. Also surviving are four grandchildren, Allison Lank, Stephen Twigg, Jaclyn Twigg and Justin Twigg.

Shockley was a certified counselor for addiction and substance abuse working for Worcester County Health Department and was a clinical director for the Hudson Center in Salisbury.

A funeral service was held. Letters of condolences may be sent to the family at www.delmarvaobits.com.

Eugene D. 'Gene' McGee

SELBYVILLE - Eugene D. Ã'GeneÃ' McGee, 83, died Wednesday, March 14, 2007 at his home.

Born in Newark, N.J., he was the son of the late Lawrence and Selena Holgate McGee. He is survived by his wife, Edna L. McGee of Selbyville; two sons, E. David McGee of Fenwick Island, Del. and Rick McGee also of Fenwick Island; and one brother, Louis McGee of Sacramento, Calif. He is also survived by two grandchildren and one great grandson.

McGee had been operator in research and development at Sun Oil Co. in Marcus Hook, N.J.

Services were held. Memorial donations may be sent to Delaware Hospice, 600 Dupont Hwy., Georgetown, Del. 19947. Letters of condolences may be sent to the family at www.delmarvaobits.com.

Cecile Marie Quillen

BERLIN - Cecile Marie Quillen, 66, died Tuesday, March 20, 2007 at Atlantic General Hospital in Berlin.

Born in Berlin, she was the daughter of the late Rober J. and Francis M. Joseph Quillen. She is survived by a brother, Robert Quillen of Lebanon, Mo.; and four sisters, Beatrice Frisch of Pittsville, Md., Brenda Stewart of Georgetown, Del., Margaret Pusey of Seaford, Del. and Rose Horner of Berlin, Md. She was preceded in death by her stepfather, J. Winamore Hudson, in 2006 and a brother, Thomas Quillen in 1991.

Funeral services will be today at 2 p.m. at Hastings Funeral Home in Selbyville. Friends and family may call one hour prior to the service. Pastor Phillip Timmons will officiate. Interment will be in Dale Cemetery in Whaleyville, Md.