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Matthew Daniel “Jigger” Ivory, of Dover, passed away peacefully at home on May 16, 2026 after a long battle with cancer.
He was born on July 27, 1935 in Hazlettville, Delaware to the late Theodore and Ida Ivory.
At the age of 15, Matthew began his working career driving a dump truck for Nathan Sipple. On July 28, 1958, he married Gloria Jean Stubbs. He was drafted into the United State Army in 1959 and was stationed in El Paso, TX where he served his country for 2 ½ years. He returned to Delaware in 1962 and immediately began driving a tractor trailer for Kensil Rash, making long-distance deliveries for 15 years. In 1977, he began his career with Burris Foods, Inc. in Harrington, driving a tractor trailer making frozen food deliveries to grocery stores in Delaware and surrounding states. After 44 years of service with Burris, he retired at the age of 85.
Matthew was a lifetime member of Harrington Moose Lodge 534.
He enjoyed camping with his family and friends and pitching horseshoes. He was a devoted Philadelphia Eagles and Phillies fan. He enjoyed watching NASCAR racing on Sundays cheering for Bill Elliott and later Kasey Kahne. He also enjoyed listening to good ole country music. Although he enjoyed many of the artists, some of his favorites were George Jones, Gene Watson, Lorie Morgan and Dolly Parton.
Matthew loved his family and enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He especially enjoyed the family dinners celebrating birthdays and holidays. He also enjoyed attending his grandchildren and great-grandchildren’s
sporting events.
Matthew was preceded in death by his father, Theodore Ivory; mother, Ida Furber; step-mother, Edith Ivory; step-father, Daniel Furber; brothers, Theodore “Buster” Ivory and Daniel “Buddy” Furber; sisters, Sara Wilkinson, Ida Masten, Mary Shockley, Ruthann Wolf and granddaughter, Courtney Lynn Wyatt.
He is survived by his loving wife of 67 years, Gloria Ivory; son and daughter-inlaw, Matthew and Stephanie Ivory, daughter and son-in-law, Cheryl and Louis Wyatt; grandchildren, Tyler Wyatt (Brooke), Colby Baughman (Ryan), McKenzie Hardy (JR); great-grandchildren, Leah Wyatt, Jenna Wyatt, John Wyatt, Warren Baughman, Stetson Hardy and a great-granddaughter on the way; brothers, Walter “Dickie” Ivory, William “Billy” Ivory (Sherry), Frederick “Sonny” Furber (Theresa); sisters, Barbara Campbell and Elizabeth Lewis; sisterin-law, Sharon Ivory; special nieces, Sara Lee Hammock (Jerry), Patricia Brittingham (Victor), Dawn Tribbett and several other nieces and nephews.
A funeral service will be held on Friday, May 22, 2026 at the Torbert Funeral Chapels, 1145 E. Lebanon Road, Route 10, Dover, DE 19901 starting at 12:30 pm. A visitation will take place starting at 11 am. Interment will follow immediately after at Mount Olive Cemetery, Mt. Olive Cemetery Road, Camden-Wyoming, DE.
In lieu of flowers, the family welcomes memorial contributions to the Harrington Moose Lodge 534, P.O. Box 339, Harrington, DE 19952 or Compassionate Care Hospice, 416 Williams Street, Suite 101, Milford, DE 19963.
Letters of condolence may be sent, and guestbook signed at www.torbertfuneral.com
