First responders state park discount signed into law

(May 19, 2023) Legislation that gives Maryland first responders a Maryland state park pass discount was signed into law by Gov. Wes Moore Monday at the State House.

Sponsored by Sen. Mary Beth Carozza (R-Lower Shore) and inspired by retired Salisbury firefighter Steve Mizell who suffers from post-traumatic stress syndrome, the legislation allows for a $40 discount on the annual $75 state park pass for law enforcement and first responders, includ- ing firefighters, paramedics, emergency medical technicians, and 911 specialists who are Maryland residents.

The state park service passport allows for unlimited day-use admission to Maryland’s state parks and facilities, unlimited boat launching at all applicable state park facilities and a 10 percent discount on state-operated concession items and boat rentals.

Senate Bill 823 will go into effect on June 1.

John Gordon Connelly Iii

Millville

John Gordon Connelly III, 81, affectionately known by all as “Gordy” and a man of nine lives plus of Millville, Delaware, formerly of Essex, Maryland, passed away on Saturday, May 6, 2023 at his home.

Gordy was born in Baltimore on November 26, 1941 son of the late John Gordon Connelly Jr. and the late Geraldine Marie (Schultz) Connelly.

He graduated from Baltimore Polytechnic Institute Class of 1959. Gordy worked for Bethlehem Steel in Baltimore where he was a pipefitter and taught the trade before completely retiring in the early 2000s.

Gordy will be remembered as a man that enjoyed life and loved to socialize with all of his friends. He was a past member of the Hawks Pleasure Club in Essex and a current member of the Ocean City Pleasure Club, the Ocean City Elks, the East Sussex Moose Lodge #2542 in Roxana, Delaware, and a social member of the American Legion and VFW.

His home away from home was the Fraternal Order of the Eagles Aerie 4528 in Clarksville, Delaware. Gordy was proud to be a charter member of that location and held several offices there.

He was just awarded lifetime honorary worthy trustee emeritus, for all the hard work and time that he has put in to make the Eagles a successfully organization in Sussex County.

His friends and family will remember him for his love of not only people, but of his passion for karaoke and dance.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by the mother of his children, Mary Jane (DeCarlo)

Connelly and his wife, Darlene Connelly. He is survived by three children, Tammy Etzel and her husband John of Manchester, Maryland, Sheri Calvert and her husband Jim of Littlestown, Pennsylvania, and John Gordon “Gordy” Connelly IV and his wife Maria of Essex; seven grandchildren and soon-to-be 12 great-grandchildren. Gordy is also survived by two brothers, Terry Connelly and Gregory Connelly, both of Essex; and a dear friend, JoAnn McKenzie, of Frankford, Delaware.

A celebration of Gordy’s life will be held at noon on Thursday, May 18, at the Ocean View Chapel of Melson Funeral Services at 38040 Muddy Neck Rd. in Ocean View, where friends and family may gather after 11 a.m. Interment will be held privately at Millville Cemetery.

Online condolences may be sent by visiting melsonfuneralservices.com.

JAMES JOSEPH EBEL

Selbyville

James Joseph Ebel, 81, of Selbyville, Delaware, passed away Thursday, May 11, 2023, peacefully in his sleep. He was born in Washington D.C. and was the son of the late Wilhelm F. Ebel and Margaret (Carney) Ebel.

He was a retired member of Plumbers and Pipe Fitters Union #5. He was a member of St. Luke’s Catholic Church, a life member of the Elks Lodge, a 4th degree Knights of Columbus, and he served in the U.S. Navy.

James is survived by his wife Kathleen J. Ebel; one son, Jim Ebel Jr. and wife Kimberly of Bellbrook, Ohio; one daughter, Laura Ebel of Selbyville; and four grandchildren, Owen Ebel, Erin Ebel, Reagan Ebel and Nolan Ebel.

He was preceded in death by two brothers, William Ebel and Eugene Ebel; and two sisters, Kathleen Ann Ebel and Peggy Ebel.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, May 18, at St. Luke’s Catholic Church, 9903 Coastal Hwy. in Ocean City. Visitation will be held one hour before the service.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Ebel’s memory may be made to the Tunnel to Towers Foundation, 2361 Hylan Blvd., Staten Island, NY. 10306 or the American Diabetes Assoc., P.O. Box 7023, Merrifield, VA. 22116.

Condolences may be sent by visiting bishophastingsfh.com.

PEGGY ANN AUKER Bloomsburg

Peggy Ann Auker, 73, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by family on Wednesday, May 3, 2023, after a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer. Peggy was born on July 28, 1949, to the late Jasper and Ida Semiclose of Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania.

She is survived by her loving husband, Robert P. Auker; and their three children, Robert P. Auker II (Diana), Alison A. Merritt (Stephen), and Michelle A. Prestas (Michael). Also surviving are her brother, Bill Stahl (Sandy); and her two sisters, Jackie Vivian (Blaine), and Alice Hutnick (Michael).

She loved spending time with her seven beautiful grandchildren, Marley, Lorelei and Sullivan Auker, Cameron and Brayden Merritt, and Zoey and Layla Prestas.

Peggy was an avid reader and loved reading with all of them. They all loved her dearly and have so many memories like baking Christmas cookies and the “best apple pie.” Peggy also enjoyed going to the beach and on annual family vacations to Florida.

Peggy graduated from Bloomsburg Area High School in1967 and attended Bloomsburg University. She married Robert in 1969 where they resided in Berwick, Pennsylvania, and raised their family.

Peggy and her husband Robert started living in Ocean City during the summer months in 1973, where they managed Souvenir City. They, along with their children, became the proud owners of Souvenir City, and eventually Souvenir City 2, on the Boardwalk in Ocean City. They acquired the family business in 1992 and have put their whole hearts into making it a nostalgic experience.

She was best known for her kindness, her smile, and her “Peggy Projects.” She will be greatly missed by many employees, whom she treated as family. Many of the foreign students considered her their “American mom” since they were far away from home. She would do anything to make them feel welcome. Peggy was also a Longaberger consultant for many years and loved helping friends and family organize their homes.

Her spirit was spread through volunteering over the years. She was an active volunteer for the Girl Scouts, and her latest endeavors included being a member of Sodality of the

World War Ii

Continued from Page 55 brother-in-law to Nationalist Chinese leader, Generalissimo Chiang Kaishek. Mr. Soong was the brother of Madam Chiang. Mr. Soong met with the president, Adm. Leahy, and Gen. McNarney.

The conference resulted in the two nations agreeing to the following: the invasion of Italy; “unconditional surrender” from the Axis; to seek the assistance of the USSR in the war against Japan; to set the cross-channel invasion for spring 1944.

At 4 p.m., May 25, Churchill walked into the Oval Office for a last joint press conference with the president. The next morning, he left Washington on a seaplane, from the Potomac River, accompanied by Gen. Marshall. Their ultimate destination was Gen. Eisenhower’s headquarters in Algiers, Algeria. They stopped first in Nova Scotia. From there the plane flew to Gibraltar.

Next week: Battle OF Exi Mr. Wimbrow writes from Ocean City, Maryland, where he practices law representing those accused of criminal and traffic offenses, and those who have suffered a personal injury through no fault of their own. He can be contacted at: wimbrowlaw@gmail.com.

Blessed Virgin Mary at St. Mary Star of the Sea/Holy Savior Catholic Church. She also volunteered as a Eucharistic Minister and enjoyed donating and volunteering at the annual Christmas Bizarre.

A mass will be held at 11 a.m., Monday, May 22, at Holy Savior Catholic Church at 1705 Philadelphia Avenue in Ocean City.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in honor of Peggy A. Auker can be made to Atlantic General Hospital Regional Cancer Care Center. Donations can be made online at agh.care/give by choosing “other” for gift and writing RCCC in the comment box, or by mail addressed to Atlantic General Hospital Foundation, 10320 Old Ocean City Boulevard, Berlin, MD 21811 with “Regional Cancer Care Center” in the memo. All support would then be directed to where Peggy received the highest level of care possible for her battle against pancreatic cancer.

JOHN CHARLES STALEY

Ocean City

John Charles Staley, 96, passed away on Thursday, May 11, 2023, at his home in Ocean City. Born in Dundalk, he was the son of the late John Leo Staley and Irene Allen Staley.

He was proceeded in death by his loving wife of 47 years, Mary Patricia Staley (Crowley).

He is survived by three sons, John “Jack” Staley (Jody), Brian Staley, and Gregory Staley (Lynette); two daughters, Mary Ball (Jerry) and Valerie Staley. He is also survived by his loving grandchildren, Jason, Mary Beth, Michelle, Johnny, Christopher, Meghan, Daniel, Corey and Jesse. Also seven great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.

He was the last survivor of his large family of eight children. Along with his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, William, and six sisters, Mary, Catherine, Irene, Margaret, Geraldine and Helen Anne.

John proudly served in the Navy during World War II. After he returned from the Navy, he returned to Mount Saint Joseph High School and went onto Villa Nova University to receive his bachelor’s degree. He was employed by C&P Telephone company for 35 years and retired in 1989.

He was a devoted member of St. Luke’s Catholic Church where he served as head usher, and was on the Parish Council. He was Past Grand Knight of the Knights of Columbus where he achieved fourth Degree Knight. John was one of the original members of the Delmarva Irish American Club. He and Pat were Grand Marshalls in 1995, and he served again as Grand Marshal in 2018. He was a past president of the

Worcester County Library, a longtime planning and zoning commissioner, and named Citizen of the Year in 2007. John was a past board of directors member for the Ocean City Chamber of Commerce, and member of various organizations including The Lions Club, Elks, American Legion and VFW.

A viewing will be held from 6-8 p.m., Tuesday, May 23, at the Burbage Funeral Home in Berlin. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m., Wednesday, May 24, at St. Luke’s Catholic Church in Ocean City. Friends may call one hour prior to the mass. Internment will take place at the Eastern Shore Veterans Cemetery in Hurlock, Maryland, at a later date. Letters of condolence can be sent to the family via burbagefuneralhome.com. Arrangements are in the care of The Burbage Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be sent to Coastal Hospice or Worcester County Library.

DOLORES E. ROTHERMEL

Ocean City

Dolores E. Rothermel, nee Bechtold, 89, of Ocean City, passed away peacefully on May 11, 2023, in Atlantic General Hospital following a fall in her home.

Born near Fairmont, West Virginia and raised in Lebanon, Pennsylvania, she was the daughter of the late Loretta Brock.

Dolores, or Dolly to most, was predeceased by her husband George W. Sherk and her very special Aunt, Evelyn Light. She is survived by her son

Robert A. Rothermel Jr. and his wife Amy of Ocean City; and her niece

Melody Cedarstrom of Berlin. The lights of her life were her grandsons

Jonathan B. Rothermel and his partner Olya, also of Berlin; and William B. Rothermel of Ocean City. Her special joy was her great-grandson

Theodore B. Rothermel, son of Jonathan and Olya. She is also survived by her wonderful lifelong high school friend Fran Douple of Manheim, Pennsylvania.

Before retiring to Ocean City, among the many jobs she held since graduating from Lebanon Senior High School, Dolores had worked at the Lebanon Chemical Company, the Lebanon County Workshop, HERCO, and Three Mile Island. The skills she learned in high school served her well throughout her career as she was known to be able to flawlessly type 200 words a minute.

Although she had many fond memories and made great friends at each of her employers, her life’s passion was for her family. Living close to her family was the ultimate gift as she could also watch the ocean and listen to the seagulls. She was a voracious reader and always had a book or, later in life, her Nook at arm’s reach. Dolores was an animal lover, especially dogs, and spoke lovingly of all of the dogs that had been in her life

She lived a long life due in part to the extraordinary care she received from Dr. William Greer and the staff at Greer Family Practice. Her final days were made much more comfortable because of the compassionate care she experienced at the hands of the doctors, nurses and staff at Atlantic General Hospital. Her special friend and frequent caregiver Sabrina Wallace of Ocean City kept her life full and comfortable in her final years.

A private graveside service will be officiated by Pastor Jill Williams of St. Paul’s by the Sea at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in her memory to Kenille’s Kupboard Pet Pantry & Rescue, Inc., P.O. Box 598, Ocean City, MD 21843 or the Humane Society of Harrisburg Area, www.humanesoicietyhbg.org.

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