DOVER - Joel W. Ridley II, of Dover, passed away on Monday, Feb. 14, 2011, at the age of 84, at Christiana Care. Joel was born on Sept. 11, 1926, son of Joel and Hazel Ridley in Elkton, Md. In 1927, his family moved to Dover living on South State Street until moving to Cheswold in 1932. He was a lifelong member of Cheswold United Methodist Church where he served as Sunday School Superintendent and as a member and officer of the Board of Trustees many times during his life. He graduated from Dover High with a Vocational Diploma in 1944 at age 17 and entered the U.S. Navy in July 1944. He was stationed in the Philippines until the Japanese surrendered. He transferred to a ship in 1945 and was discharged in 1946. After that, Joel returned to Dover High School to complete post-graduate studies that allowed him to enter the University of Delaware in 1948. On Sept. 13, 1952, Joel married Esther Dempsey. In 1953, Joel built the house that was their home for 57 years with additions built along the way to accommodate their growing family. Joel worked from 1952 to 1957 at the Diamond Cold Storage as a foreman. On Nov. 4, 1957, he began what would be a 30 year career with International Laytex as a draftsman. In 1963, layoffs forced Joel to seek other opportunities which he found at the Continental Can Division Engineering Office in Wilmington as a Machine Designer. He was rehired by Playtex as a Design Engineer in 1968 where he stayed until retiring in 1992. He was an avid collector of Playtex memorabilia that documented the long rich history of the organization. Joel liked traveling to area golf courses and enjoying the game with friends. He also had many hobbies and special interests including photography, bird carving and traveling. He enjoyed time visiting family and friends, dinner dances at Modern Maturity Center, playing dominoes and cards. Joel is survived by his loving wife of 58 years, Esther; his daughter and son-in-law, Pam and Edward Marecki; daughter and son-in-law, Beth and Bruce Campbell; and his grandchildren, Laura Marecki, Brian Campbell and Jason Campbell. He is also survived by his brothers, Earl Ridley, Fred Ridley, Jim Ridley and Doug Ridley; his sisters, Martha Collins and Sue Urian; as well as a host of nieces and nephews, and many dear special friends. Instead of flowers, the family suggests contributions to the Cheswold United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 191, Cheswold, DE, 19936 A Celebration of Life will be on Friday, Feb. 18 at 11 a.m. at Cheswold United Methodist Church, Main Street, Cheswold. Visitation will be from 9 a.m. until services begin. Interment will be at Sharon Hills Cemetery. Letters of condolence may be sent and guestbook signed at www.torbertfuneral.com.