Clear history and website data in Settings - Safari, and force close Safari: double tap the Home button to show the App Switcher, then slide the thumbnail towards the top of the screen.
You can't delete Safari. It's a built in app. Do you use a different app?
When you create a homescreen icon in Safari, it should open with exactly the same page that was visible when you created it, every time you tap the icon.
Did you try removing the icon, then clearing history and website data in Settings - Safari, force closing Safari, then adding the icon once more? (In that order.)
What if you try the Google app, or an adblocker?
Looks like I was confused. You had created a favorite in Safari, and that's why you couldn't get rid of it. I misunderstood your very first post. Sorry!
I'm glad you found out how to remove it.[/QUOT
Duno, J.A. I just created a Google desktop icon and that web site article heading "stuck" to it! I'm not big on IPAD stuff, so I may have given you the wrong impression but thanks a whole bunch for the tips!! I always find out something new.....Ken