Fred Slabaugh, former Georgetown House owner
Fred Slabaugh, 93, of Greenwood passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family at the Country Rest Home in Greenwood Monday, Aug. 27, 2018, under the care of Compassionate Care Hospice.
Fred was born in Custer County, Okla., son of the late Lorenzo and Polly (Miller) Slabaugh. He resided for 77 years of his life in Sussex County, a majority of that time in Greenwood. At his request, he relocated to the Country Rest Home in the assisted living unit Nov. 1, 2016, and thoroughly enjoyed the nearly two years he spent there. While at Country Rest Home he made many friends and was lovingly cared for by their staff. He considered this his home and they considered him their family.
Throughout the years Fred worked as a farmer, in agriculture sales and food services, and was the former owner and operator of Georgetown House. At the age of 70, he attended Delaware Tech and graduated from the CNA program. Upon graduation, he worked as a CNA with Country Rest Home for over 12 years, as well as, providing private home care.
In addition to the families and clients he cared for, Fred had a love for the Lord as well, and was an active member of the Greenwood Mennonite Church. He volunteered for 25 years as a bible teacher and mentor for the Delaware prison system. In 2003, he was ordained by the Conservative Mennonite Conference.
Fred loved the time he spent with his family, and he enjoyed sharing their lives. In his spare time, Fred enjoyed gardening and handcrafts, especially quilting and embroidery.
In addition to his parents, Fred is preceded in death by his wife, Barbara (Hostetler) Slabaugh; and seven siblings, Dr. Walter E. Schlabach, Lloyd E. Schlabach, Paul Slabaugh, Martha Tucker, Mary Bender, Timothy Schlabach and Evangel Schlabach.
He is survived by five children, Kathryn Chupp and husband Andrew of Georgetown, Grace Lambert and husband Norman of Moravian Falls, N.C., Sam Slabaugh of Delmar, Chris Slabaugh and wife Joyce of Quarryville, Pa., and Nancy “Pip” Craig and husband Ron of Seaford; 16 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; a brother, Titus Schlabach of Greenwood; a sister, Pollyanna Eby of Bellville, Pa.; and a special sister-in-law, Josie Schlabach.
A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday, Sept. 1, at the Greenwood Mennonite Church, 12525 Shawnee Road, Greenwood, where a time of visitation for family and friends will be held Friday, Aug. 31, from 6 to 8 p.m. Burial will be in the adjoining cemetery.
The family would like to express a heartfelt thank you to the staff and volunteers at Country Rest Home and Compassionate Care Hospice for the exceptional and loving care their father has received in the past two years. They have asked that in lieu of flowers, contributions in Fred’s memory be forwarded to Compassionate Care Hospice, 20165 Office Circle, Georgetown, DE 19947, or Country Rest Home, 12046 Sunset Lane, Greenwood, DE 19950.
