John F. McGlaughlin Sr.

LAUREL, Del. - John F. McGlaughlin Sr., 81, died Friday, April 6, 2007 at his home, with his wife by his side.

Born in Bishop Head, he was a son of the late Charles F. and Edith Robinson McGlaughlin.

He served his country in the U.S. Navy aboard the USS Colorado Battleship. He was wounded in action in the South Pacific and after transferring to various naval hospitals, was released and awarded the Purple Heart Award. He was a member of American Legion Post 19 in Laurel.

Retired Chief of Police McGlaughlin started his police career in Cambridge, where he served from 1951 through 1957. He worked on the force in Seaford from 1957 to 1963, before his move to Laurel in 1963. He retired in 1983 from the Laurel Police Department after serving as chief of police for his last 13 years.

He is survived by his wife, Jean; two daughters, Dyan A. Anderson and Karen A. Kennedy; a sister, Elsie Mae Hubbard; and two stepdaughters, Dale Bailey and Pamela Bradford. He is also survived by 15 grandchildren, five great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a son, John McGlaughlin Jr.; two sisters, Betty Kimmey and Isabella McGlaughlin; and a brother, Charles McGlaughlin.

A celebration of life service will be held at noon on Friday, at Laurel Baptist Church, 33056 Bi-State Boulevard, Laurel. The Rev. Stephen Booth will officiate. Inurnment with military honors will follow at the Delaware Memorial Veterans' Cemetery in Millsboro.

Memorial contributions may be made in his memory to a charity of your choice.

Arrangements are being handled by Short Funeral Home, Delmar.