Dolly W. Bastian

DELMAR- After a 4-year battle with cancer, Mrs. Dolly Bastian of Delmar, wife of Dr. Wayne Bastian, passed away December 24, 2017 on their 62nd wedding anniversary. Dolly and her family moved to Delmar in 1962 when her husband began a teaching and administrative career at the Delmar School District. Dolly was born on August 9, 1936, in Lock Haven, Pennsylvania. Her parents, who preceded her in death, were Mahlon and Louise Winder. She is survived by her sisters, Lois Wertman and Elinor Hallabuk, and brother, James Winder. Another brother, Thomas Winder, preceded her in death. She is also survived by brother-in-law, Paul Wertman, and sister-in-law, Gisela Winder. A Brother-in-law, Joseph Hallabuk, passed away December 15, 2017. Dolly and Wayne were married on December 24, 1955, during Wayne’s 10-day leave from the U.S. Marine Corps. They had two children, Louise B. Cloninger (husband, John Cloninger), from Crownsville, Maryland, and Joseph W. Bastian, who resides in Greely, Colorado. Dolly loved spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. The grandchildren are Nicole Fischer and husband, Brian; Adam Cloninger and wife, Meagan; Dr. Tracy Readnour and husband, Mark; Alexander Cloninger and wife, Natalie; and Taylor and Kathryn Bastian. Great grandchildren are Erich and Elise Fischer, Gabriel Readnour, and Evie, Myla and Duke Cloninger. Dolly worked as a bank teller in Pennsylvania, and after moving to Delmar, she served as an instructional reading aide at Delmar Junior Senior High School. She was always actively involved in the Delmar community. She served 4 years on the Delmar Town Council and 15 years as Treasurer of the Delmar Parks and Recreation Commission. During this time she had plans drawn up, solicited donations, and worked with the Delmar Town Manager, Roberta Ernest, to develop the State Street Park and Tot Lot. She also spent many hours working in the Delmar Parks and Recreation concession stand at Gordy Field. Other community activities included being a girl and boy scout leader, a chaperone for student field trips, and volunteering at the Delmar Public Library. Dolly also taught youth Sunday School classes at St. Stephen’s United Methodist Church, and served on numerous church committees. She was an avid reader and loved to travel. Her travels included North America, South America, Central America, Europe, the British Isles, and the Caribbean. She and her husband loved to drive across the United States to visit their son and grandchildren in Colorado. They visited all 50 states, and because Dolly was a member of the National Parks Association, they also toured 150+ National Parks and Monuments. She loved to knit and crochet afghans, sweaters and caps for infants at Peninsula Regional Medical Center. She also knitted 150 liner caps for military personnel serving in South Korea and Afghanistan. **UPDATE- Due to impending weather forecast with below freezing temperatures, the graveside service has been rescheduled to 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, January 6, 2018 at St. Stephen's Cemetery in Delmar and will be very brief, followed by a memorial service at 11:00 a.m. at St. Stephen's United Methodist Church, 101 E. State Street, Delmar. In lieu of flowers, Dolly and her family request memorial contributions to either of the following organizations: Delaware Hospice, 100 Patriots Way, Milford, DE 19963; or St. Stephen’s United Methodist Church, 101 E. State Street, Delmar, DE 19940. Arrangements are in the care of Short Funeral Home in Delmar. Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.shortfh.com.

Dolly W. Bastian

August 9, 1936 - December 24, 2017