We Remember Those Who Have Passed

We Remember Those Who Have Passed
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Norma Smith Cherrix Young

SOMERS POINT, N.J. – Norma Smith Cherrix Young, 75, died peacefully, Monday, April 7 in her home in Somers Point, N.J.

Young was born in Berlin and spent her early life raising her family in Snow Hill and Salisbury. Professionally, she worked in banking before moving to Florida where she had a successful career in real estate management in both Sarasota and the Florida Keys. In retirement, she spent special time with family in South Florida and Somers Point, N.J.

She was predeceased by her parents, Mack and Elsie Rodney Smith of Berlin. She is survived by her daughter, Carol Costigan, her husband Craig and their son Sean of Palermo, N.J.; her daughter, Sherry Cherrix of Jupiter, Fla.; her daughter, Cindy Tart, her husband Wayne and their children Tyler, Megan and Chelsea of Glenwood, Md.; her son, Vince Cherrix, his wife Vicki and their children Hank and Dixon of Pittsburgh, Pa.; her brother, William Smith and his wife Carole of Berlin; her sister, Betty Bush and her husband Lew of Berlin; and many nieces, nephews, grand-nieces, grand-nephews and a great-grand-nephew.

She passed on with grace and dignity in the company of a loving family after a 22-year courageous and remarkable battle with cancer. A celebratory memorial service will be held Saturday, April 19 at 4 p.m. at Bethany United Methodist Church in Berlin. Her family has requested that donations in her name be made to the Compassionate Care Hospice Foundation, 172 Route 50, Seaville, N.J. 08230.

Margaret Howard Kerbin

SNOW HILL – Margaret Howard Kerbin of Snow Hill passed away on Monday, April 14, her 93rd birthday. She had briefly been tenderly cared for at the Snow Hill Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. For almost three years, she had been lovingly cared for at The Village at Harbor Pointe in Salisbury.

She was born in 1915 in Pocomoke City. She was the daughter of the late Charlie K. and Catherine Howard. Her husband, William G. Kerbin, Jr., passed away on March 7, 2005.

She graduated from Pocomoke High School and was about to enter nursing school, but chose to marry the love of her life. At the time of his passing, she and her husband had been married for more than 70 years. For about 20 years, she managed the office of the Democratic Messenger, a newspaper that was owned by her husband.

She loved people and her community in which she was very active. She was one of the founders of the Empty Stocking Club and had volunteered for the Cancer Society, Heart Association and Red Cross. In her later years, she was a volunteer at the Julia A. Purnell Museum, Snow Hill Food Bank, Brick Haven and Furnace Town. She was a member of the Worcester County Commission on Aging for seven years.

She was Snow Hill’s 1992 Good Neighbor of the Year and was a nominee for Maryland You Are Beautiful Award. She had been an active member of All Hallows Episcopal Church for over 70 years helping out wherever she was needed.

A number of years ago, Snow Hill High School created the William and Margaret Kerbin Community Service and Leadership Award in honor and respect of their service and commitment to the town of Snow Hill.

In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by her brother and sister-in-law, Charles and Ann Howard.

She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Charlotte and Dale Cathell; daughter and son-in-law, Sue and Randy Delano; and son and daughter-in-law, Bill and Diane Kerbin. She is also survived by her grandchildren, Laura and Troy Farlow, Bill and Karen Kerbin, Dale and Audra Cathell, Will and Emily Cathell and Amy Delano. Her only great-grandchild is 2-year-old Lleyton Cathell. She is survived by a special niece and nephew-in-law, Sallye H. and Greg Poff, and several other nieces.

A funeral service will be held on Saturday, April 19 at 1 p.m. at All Hallows Episcopal Church at the corner of Church and Market streets in Snow Hill.

Her family has requested in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Wm. & Margaret Kerbin Community Service & Leadership Award, c/o Snow Hill High School, 305 S. Church St., 21863 or All Hallows Episcopal Church, 109 W. Market St., 21863.

Arrangements are in the care of Burbage Funeral Home.

George Karl Dickel, Jr.

BERLIN – George Karl Dickel, Jr., 92, died Thursday, April 10 at Manor Care Health Care Facility in West Deptford, N.J. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 67 years, Anne V. Dickel, in 2006.

He was also preceded in death by his son, Barry V. Dickel, in 2005 and his grandson, Erik.R.Dickel, in 2002.

He is survived by his son, George Karl Dickel III; his daughter-in-law, Karen C. Dickel; his grandson, Kevin C. Dickel of Thorofare, NJ.; and his daughter-in-law, Carol L. Dickel of Ocean City.

Dickel was a graduate of Baltimore Polytechnic H.S. and Johns’ Hopkins University. He was a veteran of WWII in the Army Air Corps and a public servant with the Social Security Administration for 40 years.

Graveside services will be private and held at a later date. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association.

Charles Frank Pfaff, Sr.

BERLIN – Charles Frank Pfaff Sr., (born June 17, 1929) has died.

He was the beloved husband of Constance (Connie) Pfaff; loving father of Claire Todd (Port Charlotte, Fla.), Craig Pfaff (Lorainne) (Centreville, Md.), Christopher Pfaff (Kentucky) and Charles Pfaff Jr. (deceased); grandfather of David Todd, Jr. and Amy Todd, Charlianne Pfaff and Callianne Pfaff, Amanda Pfaff and CJ Pfaff; great Grandfather to Deitrich Hinton; and brother of Mary Watts, Michael Pfaff (deceased) and Parents Mamie and Frank Pfaff (deceased).

A man whose career covered many avenues, most notably as Deputy Commisioner of the Motor Vehicle Administration in Maryland, Pfaff’s many accomplishments include developing the license tag system, which began three letters of the alphabet and three numerals that was ultimately adopted as a standard for use by many states except California. This system provided the Motor Vehicle Administration to allow many more combinations for expanding growth in each state. He also served as a consultant for the Motor Vehicles in Saudi Arabia to establish a vehicle registration system. He wrote a book for Automobile Trade Dealers to have a more efficient access to the completion of sales, a book that was widely used and kept updated until his retirement in 1981.

He served his country in the US Army, 2nd Army Band at Ft. Meade during the Korean War and was an extremely gifted and talented musician. He and his wife, Connie, formed a duo and entertained many with their music for 35 years.

Five years of their musical career were spent in Dover, Del. and 12 years in Ocean City where they discovered and incorporated comedy along with their music. After retiring to Florida, they continued to entertain at local venues such as the Elks Clubs and American Legions as well as other social events.

The couple had been married just 2 days shy of 54 years. He was a kind, loving man with so many wonderful qualities and accomplishments it would require two more columns to cover. Anyone who ever met him felt the enthusiasm and happiness he radiated wherever he went. He is now resting in peace and his talent and the love he gave his wife, family and friends leaves behind a wonderful legacy.