EDWARD SPINKEN

Edward L. Spinken

Age 84, of Wilmington, DE, passed away peacefully on Friday, April 11, 2008 at Heartland Hospice House surrounded by his family.

Born in Chester, PA on January 6, 1924 and raised in Wilmington, DE, Mr. Spinken moved to the MOT area in 1977. A participant in various sports, he was a member of Junior and Senior High football and swimming teams. He played on the Champion Football team of Parkside and Defiance AA during the 1930's and 1940's. Mr. Spinken retired in 1987 as a Locomotive Engineer with Pennsylvania, Penn Central, Conrail and Amtrak Railroads after 32 years of service. He was a member of Teamsters Local 107 and 326 during the 1950's. He served with the U.S. Navy in the North Atlantic and participated in the 2 invasions in the Pacific during WWII. He served with the Air National Guard and Air Force Reserves during the Korean and Vietnam Wars. After serving in the Navy, Naval Reserves, Air National Guard and Air Force Reserves, he retired after 41 years of service as a Master Sergeant. While in the military, he earned 20 Service Ribbons, Air Force Commendations Medal, and 6 Battle Stars in addition to Letters of Commendation from various Government officials.

Mr. Spinken attended Wilmington High School and P.S. DuPont High School. After leaving P.S. DuPont High School to join the Navy in WWII, he then returned to graduate in 1946. He attended West Chester State Teachers College in Pennsylvania. He also served with the 142nd Air National Guard Military Airlift Squadron at New Castle, DE, 702nd Military Airlift Squadron at McGuire Air Force Base, NJ. While at McGuire he was enshrined into the 702nd Squadron Hall of Fame. Mr. Spinken retired from the 326th MAS Dover AFB, DE upon reaching compulsory retirement age.

He was predeceased by his daughter, Ellen Spinken, his sisters, Lillian Dennison and Florence Rankin and his brother, Frederick Spinken. Mr. Spinken will be dearly missed by his wife of 60 years, Eleanor (Swift) Spinken; his son and daughter-in-law, Frederick E. and Sandra Spinken of Newark, DE; his daughters, Eileen Wierzbick and her husband, Dennis Sr. of New Castle, DE, Joan Spinken of Wilmington, DE, and Lillian Spinken and her companion Janet of Durham, NC; 5 grandchildren, Kelly and her husband Drew, Jessica, David, Rachael, Jason and his wife Lillian; 3 great grandchildren, Jasmine, Andrew and Cameron; and his caregiver, Veronica Whittington.

Visitation will be held On Wednesday evening, April 16, between 6-8 pm at MEALEY FUNERAL HOME, Limestone and Milltown Roads, Wilmington, where funeral services will be celebrated at 8 pm. Interment will be Thursday morning at 10 am at the Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Bear.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to Heartland Hospice House, 5661 Ochletree Lane, Wilmington, DE 19808.

www.mealeyfuneralhomes.com

302-652-5913