John A. Hamstead, 69

GEORGETOWN - Owner of Elmer's Market, John A. Hamstead, of Georgetown, died Saturday, May 9, 2009, at Peninsula Regional Medical Center, Salisbury, Md. He was 69. Mr. Hamstead was born on March 24, 1940, in Milford, the son of the late Elmer and Mabel Moore Hamstead. John owned and operated Elmer's Market along with his wife Dorothy and his family for the past 51 years, the markets are located on Route 16 in Greenwood and Route 18 in Bridgeville. The original market in Greenwood was established by his parents in 1954. John was a lover of life and nature. Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by two brothers, Elmer Ellis and Glenn L.; and one sister, Deane Tvelia. He was survived by his wife of 45 years, Dorothy M. Hamstead; five children, John Jr. of Greenwood, Michael A. of Greenwood, Reginald H. of Lincoln, Diane Bolyard of Duncannon, Pa., and Carol Hansen of Georgetown; 12 grandchildren; and 12 great-grandchildren; extended family and many, many friends. Memorial services for friends and family will be from 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday, May 14, at Fleischauer Funeral Home, 16 West Market St., Greenwood. Burial will be private.