Calvin Penrose 'Penny' Stidham III, 82

DOVER - Calvin Penrose "Penny" Stidham III, of Dover, passed away unexpectedly at his residence on Tuesday, May 27, 2008. He was 82.

Born on Jan. 27, 1926, in Wilmington, he was the son of the late Mary (Start) and John Lewis Stidham.

He graduated from Middletown High School. At the young age of 17, he joined the U.S. Navy and traveled to the South Pacific on the USS Tryon during World War II.

"Penny," as he was affectionately known by many, worked for General Motors and later worked for Shallcross Chevrolet as a parts manager.

In 1948, he married the love of his life, the former Gladys Johnson.

In 1955, he started his own business, which later became Stidham Boat Co.

Following his retirement in 2001, he and his wife moved to Dover in 2003.

He loved to goose and duck hunt at Taylors Bridge on the Earl Francis farm.

Mr. Stidham was a state of Delaware constable for 10 years, working in Court 9 and Court 10.

He served as sergeant-at-arms in the Delaware state Senate chamber from January 2002-2007.

He was a member of St. Pauls United Methodist Church in Odessa.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two daughters, Deborah M. Stidham in 1973 and Gail S. Stanley in 2003.

He is survived by his loving wife of 60 years, Gladys (Johnson) Stidham; one daughter, Linda S. Ringler and her husband Skip of Middletown; two grandchildren, Heather S. Moore and Greg S. Stanley; three great-grandchildren; and many dear friends and colleagues.

Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Monday in Daniels & Hutchison Funeral Home LLC, 212 N. Broad St., Middletown, where family and friends may visit two hours prior to service.

Interment will follow in Old Drawyer's Cemetery, Odessa.

Instead of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to St. Paul's United Methodist Church, 406 Main St., Odessa, DE 19730.