DOVER - Ivan Eric Edmunds, son of Melanie and Leonard Lockhart and Joseph Edmunds, was born on April 17, 1969 in the United States Virgin Islands (USVI). He passed from this life to eternal reward on Friday, Sept. 7, 2012, at Christiana Hospital in Newark, Del. After graduating from St. Joseph's High School in St. Croix, US Virgin Islands, Ivan attended flight school in Tallahassee, Fla. Being a person who loved a challenge and gaining new knowledge, he then earned his Bachelor's degree from Wilmington University and his Master of Social Work degree from Delaware State University in 1997. Ivan worked several jobs in the State of Delaware, most recently at Sussex Correctional Institution and Georgetown Superior Court, both in Georgetown, Del.. To know Ivan was to love, admire and respect him. He was very outgoing, friendly, easy-spirited and never met a person he considered a stranger. During his transition of the last 4 days of his life, a testament to the way Ivan lived his life was through the number of visitors who came to the hospital. During the 4 day period, over 100 family members, friends, co-workers and loved ones stopped by to show their love, support, encouragement and to offer prayers for his healing. Ivan had a gift for endearing people to him and for embracing the lives of others. Once he arrived at home bare chested because he had literally given the shirt off his back to someone who was homeless. If you didn't know Ivan well, you might have wondered why he couldn't have parted with an older, more worn shirt, but Ivan gave up his brand new shirt, his best, to help someone out who was less fortunate. He also loved to make people laugh and even though he only spoke English fluently, his co-workers have a video of him singing an Italian ballad at a co-workers party. One of his passions in life was riding his motorcycle, and dreaming of the day he would own an airplane. Ivan also loved watching movies, doing yard work and tinkering with all kinds of electronics and gadgets. Being able to put a positive spin on everything in life and seeing the good instead of the bad enabled him to soften the heart of everyone with whom he had contact. As a proud member of Alpha Phi Alpha, Inc., Ivan believed in giving back to and support community outreach efforts. Ivan and his family attend Church of the Holy Cross in Dover, Delaware under the leadership of Monsignor Daniel McGlynn. He will be sadly missed and fondly remembered by all. In addition to his parents, Melanie and Leonard Lockhart of St. Croix, Virgin Islands and Joseph Edmunds of Fla. Ivan is survived by his devoted wife, Tina L. Edmunds and their loving children-Brandon Savage, Asani Edmunds and Aza Edmunds, all of Dover, Del.; three sisters, Annie Lockhart-Gilroy (Bernie) and Pamela Lockhart of N. J. and Sophia Edmunds of N. Y.; one sister-in-law, Ritchel Battle (Terry) of Sacramento, Calif.; one brother-in-law, Rodney (Lashon) Waters of Waldorf, Md; his mother-in-law, Diana Waters of Dover, Del.; father-in-law Herbert Waters of Magnolia, Del.; godchildren Kyle of Md. and Makayla of Del. and Trudy Pemberton of St. Croix; a special niece and nephew, Lakeya Wilson and Jakeem Lockhart; nephews Terry, Rodney and Jaden; nieces Adriane, Brittney and Jasmine; and a host of other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his brother Eddie Lockhart. Visitation will be 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 13, 2012, at the Pippin Funeral Home, 119 W. Camden-Wyoming Ave., Wyoming, Del. Funeral service will be at noon Friday, Sept. 14, 2012 at Holy Cross Catholic Church, 631 S. State St., Dover. Burial will follow in Barratt's Chapel Cemetery, Frederica, Del. In lieu of flowers contributions can be made to the Alpha Phi Alpha Scholarship fund. His co-workers at Sussex Correctional have established an Ivan Edmunds Memorial Fund at TD Bank in Delaware to benefit the education of his children. Donations will be accepted at any TD Bank branch. Letters of condolences can be sent via www.pippinfuneralhome.com