Emma O. Spohn, 80

DOVER - Emma O. Spohn of Dover passed away Tuesday, July 24, 2007, in her residence, after a long and wonderful life. She was 80.

Emma resided in all three counties of Delaware.

Born on April Fool"s Day 1927 in Speedwell, Va., to Robert G. and Mary B. Thomas, she was married in December 1955 to Charles J. Spohn, and they raised their six children in New Castle.

After her husband"s premature death in 1981, Emma helped raise many of her grandchildren in Seaford and Dover.

She lived for many years at State Street Assisted Living, Dover, where she had countless friends and was known for her sense of humor, which will be greatly missed.

Emma enjoyed her family - most especially her grandchildren - and bowling, camping, traveling and her sweets.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Charles J. "Chick" Spohn; a son, John A. Spohn; and a granddaughter, Kimberly A. Spohn.

Emma will be missed by her incredibly large family. She is survived by five of her six children, James C. Thomas, Robert B. Spohn and Sheree M. Spohn, all of New Castle, Tonda L. Parks and her husband Joseph G. of Dover, and Linda D. Herring of Pasadena, Md.; a loving daughter-in-law, Karen L. Spohn of Dover; her only sister, Maude Mezzatesta of New Castle; 15 grandchildren, Frank, Angel, Deralynn, Aaron, Nicki, Diana, Jason, Lindsay, Harry, James Jr., Sean, Heather, John-Russell and Lisa; and 21 great-grandchildren.

In the hope that she would help others, Emma donated her body to Philadelphia"s Gift to Humanity for anatomical study and research.

Friends are invited to a celebration of life that will held at the home of her daughter and son-in law, Tonda and Joe Parks, at 740 Bicentennial Blvd., Bicentennial Village, Dover, from 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association–Kent Division, 1151 Walker Road, Suite 202, Dover, DE 19904.