John 'Donald' Guercio, retired test mechanic

John W. “Donald” Guercio, 81, of Felton, formerly of Glen Burnie and Arnold, Md., passed away Saturday, March 2, 2013, at his home.

Mr. Guercio was born in Baltimore, Md., Jan. 10, 1932, son of the late Joseph A. and Elsie Mae (Mattingly) Guercio. Donald was a Korean War veteran serving in the U.S. Navy.

He retired as a test mechanic with the Naval Surface Warfare Center in 1991 after 33 years of service. Mr. Guercio was a true homebody who enjoyed working around the house and maintaining his lawn. He also enjoyed being around his family and doing his charcoal drawings.

He is survived by his loving wife of 61 years, Gaynelle Virginia (Heatwole) Guercio; two sons, Gary (Teresa) Guercio of Millington, Md., and Gregory (Karen) Guercio of Pasadena, Md.; four grandchildren, Connor Guercio, Shawn Tolson, Amy Lynn Steigerwald and Rachel Guercio; two great-granddaughters, Kaytlyn and Kara Steigerwald; a stepbrother, Joel (Donna) Finchum; a sister-in-law, Patsy J. (Kilburn) Heatwole; two nieces, Emily Finchum and Connie R. (Neil) Ohora; and four nephews, John D. (Deborah) Heatwole Jr., Dana S. (Julie) Heatwole, Michael B. (Susan) Heatwole and Dale G. Heatwole.

A funeral service will be held at 11:45 a.m., Monday, March 11, at the Ocean View Chapel of Melson Funeral Services, 38040 Muddy Neck Road, Ocean View, where friends and family may call after 10:30 a.m. Interment will follow with military honors at the Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Millsboro.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions in Mr. Guercio’s name to Delaware Hospice, 911 S. DuPont Hwy., Dover, DE 19901, or to a charity of your choice.