Richard James Schlauch Sr., 66

FELTON - Richard James Schlauch Sr., of Felton, died Thursday, April 9, 2009, in Bayhealth-Milford Memorial Hospital. He was 66. He was born in Jamaica, N.Y., to the late Frederick W. and Rose Schlauch. Mr. Schlauch worked as general manager for Atlantic Air Freight Inc. in Port Chester, N.Y., for over 24 years. Later, he was employed in the business offices of Ensign Ribbon Burners, Inc. of Pelham Manor, N.Y., and Sloper-Willen Community Ambulance Corp. of Wappingers Falls, N.Y. He spent early years in Jamaica (Queens), N.Y., moving later as a teenager with his family to Ardsley (Westchester County). He resided for more than 32 years in the Tarrytown, N.Y. area, and 4 years in Fishkill, N.Y., before relocating to Delaware in retirement. Mr. Schlauch was a member of The Presbyterian Church of Dover, and a former member of the Reformed Church of the Tarrytowns where he served as an ordained deacon and elder. He volunteered to assist in numerous church activities, including annual dinners, clean-up days, and special events. He could always be counted on when something needed to be done at the church. He had an excellent tenor voice and was a member of the chancel choir, occasionally serving as soloist. He participated in the Old Dutch Singers, an acapella group, and was a charter member of the handbell choir which he did for more than 15 years. He will be remembered as a devoted husband, father and grandfather who loved to tell stories. He was a good friend to many. He especially enjoyed spending as much time as he could with his two precious granddaughters. As a final request to his family and friends, he preferred that those attending his funeral wear bright colors, especially red, his favorite color. We are celebrating the life of this great man and rejoicing his Witness to the Resurrection. He was preceded in death by a brother, Frederick W. Schlauch Jr.; and a sister, Eileen Schlauch. She is survived by his loving wife of 44 years, Evelyn R. Schlauch of Felton; son and daughter-in-law, Richard James Jr. and Lisa Schlauch of Dover; grandchildren, Elizabeth and Sarah Schlauch of Dover; brothers, Donald R. Schlauch of Temecula, Calif., Arthur C. Schlauch of S. Meriden, Conn., and Gerard P. Schlauch of NorthFord, Conn.; and sisters, Dorothy Logan of Tarrytown, N.Y., and Evelyn Groundwater of Palm Coast, Fla. Services will be 11 a.m. Wednesday, April 15, in the Presbyterian Church of Dover. A visitation will be from 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday, April 14, at Melvin Funeral Home. Interment will be private. In lieu of flowers, donations are encouraged to The Dover Interfaith Mission for Housing, P.O. Box 1148, Dover, DE 19903; or to the March of Dimes, Delaware Chapter, Tower Office Park 236 C. North James Street, Newport, DE 19804.