George V. Hitchens, 81

LAUREL - George V. Hitchens of Laurel passed away Saturday, Sept. 1, 2007, in Peninsula Regional Medical Center, Salisbury, Md. He was 81.

George was born in Harrington, son of the late Louis and Blanche Hitchens.

He was a World War II Army veteran, proudly serving as a tank driver under George Patton"s Division in Germany. He was a member of American Legion Post 19 in Laurel, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 8276 in Delmar, and past governor of the Harrington Moose Lodge 534.

George was also a vestry member of St. Philip"s Episcopal Church, Laurel.

He retired from Dolly Madison Ice Cream and was well-known for his business, Hitchens Frame Shop, Laurel, which he owned and operated.

George is survived by a brother, Joseph M. Hitchens and his wife Betty of Laurel; a stepson, Thomas Phillips of Wyoming; his stepdaughters, Ann Cauffinch and her husband Richard of Salisbury, and Kay Jones and her husband Roy of Laurel; his grandchildren, Mark and Scott Phillips, Scott and Cindy Phillips, Shawn Jones, Rob Jones, Garth Jones, Kathy and Paul Adkins and Molly and Raffaeld Dall"Evta; a nephew; and seven great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Madelyn Hitchens; and two sisters.

A memorial celebration of his life will be 11 a.m. Friday at St. Philip"s Episcopal Church, South Central Avenue, Laurel.

Burial will take place in the church"s cemetery. The Rev. Rita Nelson will officiate.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made in his name to St. Philip"s Church, 600 S. Central Ave., Laurel, DE 19956; Delaware Hospice, 20167 Office Circle, Georgetown, DE 19947; or a local fire department.

Arrangements by the Hannigan, Short, Disharoon Funeral Home, Laurel.