A Mass of Christian Burial for Merton T. Lucas, 92, of Dover, will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Wednesday, March 3, at the Church of the Holy Cross, 631 S. State St., Dover.
Mr. Lucas died Thursday, Feb. 25, 2010, at home.
Born in Binghamton, N.Y., he was the son of the late Robert T. and Eva Mae Lucas.
Mr. Lucas was a graduate of Broome Community College of Binghamton, and was proud to have served both in the U.S. Army and the U.S. Navy during World War II. He later served as an inspector in electronics for the U.S. Air Force with the U.S. Civil Service, retiring in 1974.
He moved from Binghamton to Dover in 1998 and at the age of 81 he was baptized in the Catholic faith at the Church of the Holy Cross. He had been a member of the Knights of Columbus Council No. 4182 and a 4th-degree member in the Bishop Cartwright Assembly.
Mr. Lucas was a member of the American Legion Walter L. Fox Post No. 2, the VFW and a longtime member of the National Association of Retired Federal Employees.
A radio operator while in the military, he remained a ham radio enthusiast for most of his life and was a charter member of the Rooster Net radio club. A lifelong Boy Scout Master, he enjoyed the outdoors where he fished, hunted and rode motorcycles. He also was a member of the Modern Melody Makers and a member of the Shawnee Dance Club.
Mr. Lucas was blessed with two very special women in his lifetime, his wife, Winona Kenyon Lucas, who died Dec. 10, 1996 and Shirley Cunningham of Dover, with whom he shared a deep love, faith, joy of travel, singing, dancing and dining. A beloved father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, he will be greatly missed by those whose lives he touched.
Mr. Lucas is survived by a son and daughter-in-law, Frederick and Mary Jo Lucas of Weston, Fla.; two daughters, Gloria Lucas-Burford of Binghamton and Cynthia Summer of White River Junction, Vt.
He also is survived by his grandchildren, Derrick and Amy Burford of Binghamton, Stephen and Jennifer Lucas of Weston, Darren Burford of Binghamton, Sean Dittrich of Seattle, Wash., and Cassie Dittrich of Coconut Grove, Fla; and his great-grandchildren, Kristyn, Sophia, Shelby, Rachel, Sydney, Jack Burford, Taylor Rose, Stephen Jacob, Sarah James and Ava Leigh Lucas, who will carry on his adventure and appreciation for all that life has to offer.
Interment will be in the Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Millsboro.
Arrangements are by the Funeral Home of Michael J. Ambruso, Dover.
Letters of condolence may be sent and the guest book signed via www.ambruso.com.
