Loren Franklin Perciful, 81

LEWES - Loren Franklin Perciful, of Lewes, was called to Heaven on Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2008, in the presence of his loving family at Beebe Medical Center in Lewes. He was 81. Affectionately know as "Junior" to his Delaware friends and family, and as "Poppy Junior" to his two grandchildren, Loren was born in Glebe Point, Va., Sept. 19, 1927. He came to Lewes, while working on the Menhaden fishing boats as a chief engineer, and it was in Lewes that he met the love of his life, Anna Mae Schaeffer. The two married on Dec. 1, 1951, and recently celebrated their 57th wedding anniversary. Loren loved the sea, and spent his entire adult life working as an engineer on fishing and tugboats. He retired from the Maritrans Corporation in 1996. He also worked part time with his good friend Rannie Hudson at the Beebe Medical Center in Lewes. Loren is survived by his wife, Anna Mae; his daughter, Cynthia of Sheridan, Wyoming; his son, Robert and his daughter-in-law, Stephanie of Bridgeville; his granddaughter, Elizabeth also of Bridgeville; his grandson, Andrew of New Orleans, La.; his sister, Mildred Virginia Bender of Philadelphia, Pa.; and his brother, Alton Murray Perciful of Reedsville, Va. Services will be held 11 a.m. Saturday at Groome United Methodist Church on the corner of Savannah Rd and Dewey Avenue in Lewes. In lieu of flowers, the Perciful family has requested donations in Loren's memory may be made to Groome U.M. Church Building Fund, PO Box 299, Lewes, DE 19958. Arrangements by Melson Funeral Services of Long Neck.