David Walter Masten

David Walter Masten, gained his heavenly wings, after a long battle with an auto-immune disease, on Wednesday, June 28, 2017, in Kent General Hospital, with his loving wife and daughter at his side.  David was born July 10, 1947 in Milford, DE to the late Sara Emily (Cain) and Robert John Masten, Sr.

David graduated from Harrington High School class of 1966, and continued his education at the University of Delaware with an Associates Degree.  On August 31, 1969, he married the love of his life, Phyllis Holson.  They began dating David’s Senior year and Phyllis’s freshman year.  From 1969 to 1971,  David served his country proudly in the United States Army, where he was stationed in Germany.  Phyllis joined him there for a wonderful adventure.  David’s parents joined them for a trip and they traveled all over Germany and Europe together. 

David worked at Proctor and Gamble for over 20 years before retiring in 2010.  Prior to that he worked at C.T. Film and before that at Southern States and Ag-Chem Equipment Company.

David and Phyllis loved traveling.  They traveled a lot until David became ill 7 1/2 years ago.  Some of their most memorable trips were to Myrtle Beach, Nashville, Memphis, Arkansas, Lancaster, Dollywood, Michigan, Massachusetts, Connecticut and Hawaii.  One of his favorite trips was for their 35th Anniversary to Cozumel with their daughter and son-in law.  In recent years he loved traveling with his family.  He loved going to Walt Disney World with his grandchildren.  His grandchildren were the apple of his eye and he loved attending everything that they were involved in.

Some of his favorite things to do were to watch and go to the Orioles games, fishing trips to Outer Banks with his son in law, taking care of his yard riding on his John Deere, surf fishing and fishing and crabbing on his boat.  He also loved going crabbing with his buddy, the late Dave “Bear” Martin.  

He was a member of the Harrington High School Alumni Association, Harrington Moose, Asbury United Methodist Church, and Life Member of North Carolina Beach Buggy Association.

The family would like to send a special thank you to Dr. Roger Alexander and his staff for their extra care.

He is survived by the love of his life, his wife of almost 48 years, Phyllis; his daughter, Kathryn Ellen Blanchette and her husband Raymond;  twin grandchildren, Carmen Grace and Anthony David Blanchette, all of Harrington; brother, John Masten; baby sister, Lisa Jo Masten Helsel; brothers-in-law Philip (Sally) Holson and Walter Geyer; several nieces, nephews and cousins; and special friends, Bill & Rocky Masche of Felton, and many other devoted friends.

Services will take place on Monday, July 3, at the Thomas E. Melvin & Son Funeral Home, 15522 South DuPont Hwy., Harrington, DE, at 11 am, with a visitation Sunday evening from 6 to 8 PM.  The interment will take  place at Hollywood Cemetery, Harrington.

In lieu of flowers, donations are requested to the Harrington Volunteer Fire Company, 20 Clark Street, Harrington, DE 19952, in memory of David.

Arrangements are by the Thomas E. Melvin & Son Funeral Home Inc, Harrington, DE.  Visit us at www.melvinfuneralhome.com to send flowers or sign condolence book.

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