Adele B. Vilkas, 92, of Dover, died peacefully on June 10, 2010 with her loving daughters at her side. Born in Rocky Hill, CT, she was the daughter of the late Joseph and Beatrice Kneizys Manikas. Mrs. Vilkas graduated from Hartford Public High School in 1935 and later married her late husband, Maj. John Joseph Vilkas. Together they were able to travel the U.S. as well as Europe. She relocated to the Dover area in 1974 following the death of her husband. Mrs. Vilkas was a devout Roman Catholic and exemplified it by example. She was a Blessed Mother Sodality member, a Eucharistic Minister, and a Bible Study member at the Dover Air Force Base Chapel. At Holy Cross, she was a member of the Senior Crusaders, the St. Jude Prayer group, Right to Life, and the Blue Army. She volunteered at Holy Cross Bingo, the food bank, making rosaries, with Hospice, and at Old Dover Days. In her quieter moments, she enjoyed reading and cherished the moments spent with her family. She will be greatly missed by those who knew and loved her.
Besides her parents and her husband, she was predeceased by her infant daughter, Teresa, two brothers, Anthony Manikas and John Manikas, and two sisters, Ellen Grimes and Anne Stanulis. She is survived by two sons, William Vilkas, of Scottsdale, AZ, and Robert Vilkas and wife Beth Nehez, of Cleveland, OH; four daughters, Joan Fry, of Dover, Janet Eaton and husband Robert, of Dover, Marian Imler and husband Gene, of Harrisburg, PA, and Ann Ogilvie and husband Richard, of Manchester Center, VT; 13 grandchildren; 11 great grandchildren; several cousins, nieces, and nephews; and long time friend Mary Eltzroth. The family would like to express their gratitude to the Westminster Nursing Home.
A viewing will be held Friday, June 18, 2010 at The Funeral Home of Michael J. Ambruso where friends may call from 6 until 8 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered on June 19, 2010 at 10 a.m. at Holy Cross Church, Dover. Interment will follow at Holy Cross Cemetery, Dover. Donations in her memory can be made to either Holy Cross Church, 631 S. State St., Dover, DE 19901, or to Kent County SPCA, 32 Shelter Circle, Camden, DE 19934. Condolences may be sent and Guest signed via www.ambruso.com