Obituaries

Nichole Rae “Nikki” Swales, age 49, of Middletown, DE, passed away on Tuesday, August 25, 2026.

Elaine Mary Vadden (nee Hanlon), age 101, entered eternal life peacefully on Tuesday, August 25th, 2026.

Dr. Danny Wayne Pirtle Jr., also known as “Doc,” was a deeply respected criminal justice professor, devoted mentor, beloved husband, father, grandfather, and friend.

William Paul Banghart, age 72, of Middletown, DE, passed away on Monday, August 17, 2026.

Dennis Earl Gaskins, age 74, of Townsend, DE, passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, August 23, 2026.

Richard Frank “Rich” Grissom, age 85, of New Castle, DE, devoted husband, father, and Pop-Pop, passed away peacefully, surrounded by his loving family on Thursday, August 20, 2026.

Alice Beatrice “Bea” Smith Desper (83) died on August 4, 2026, in Newark, Delaware.

Donna Fay Roegge, age 88, of Middletown, DE, and formerly of Mentor, OH, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, August 19, 2026.

Robert Lee “Rob” Holly, age 76, of Newark, DE, passed away on Wednesday, August 19, 2026.

Mary “Mindy” Williams was born in Hudson, Ohio, lived a life defined by love, family, creativity, generosity.

Janet C. (Allen) Brown, age 89, of Middletown, DE, passed away peacefully on Friday, August 21, 2026.

Nina Lee Vaughn, age 68, of Wilmington, DE, passed away on Tuesday, August 18, 2026.

Sarah Ellen Viering, age 98, of Newark, DE, passed away on Tuesday, August 18, 2026.

Louenette J. “Jerry” Hughes, age 97, of Bear, DE, went home to be with the Lord on Tuesday, August 18, 2026.

Joseph Lawrence “Larry” Nickler, Jr., age 76, of Newark, DE, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, August 18, 2026.

Thomas William Brockenbrough, 106, died on August 14, 2026, at Paramount Senior Living at Newark, where he had resided for the last four years.