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Chester County Press

Obituaries

02/19/2014 06:22PM ● By Acl

FRANK E. GIFFORD 


Frank E. Gifford, 83, of New Castle, Del., passed away on Feb. 7 at Jennersville Regional Hospital in West Grove.

He was the husband of the late Joanna Hollowell Gifford. Born in Wilmington, Del., he was the son of the late William and Nellie Marks Gifford. He retired in 1992 from the New Castle County Sewer Department as a pump mechanic. He enjoyed trains, bluegrass music and citizens band radio. Shepherd Dog was his handle.

He is survived by two daughters, Sindee Muzzleman (Kenny Poe) of Nottingham, Pa., and Patricia Carter (James Roberts) of Wilmington, Del.; one grandson, Thomas Muzzleman, Jr., of Wilmington, Del.; one brother, Clayton Gifford of Texas; one sister, Mary Hodge of Tennessee; and many nieces and nephews.
Services were private. For more information, visit www.elcollinsfuneralhome.com.

CHELSEA SZCZEPKOWSKI 

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Chelsea Szczepkowski, 22. of Kennett Square, died suddenly on Feb. 7.
Born in Wilmington, Del., she was the daughter of Richard Szczepkowski of Wilmington and Robyn Scarlett of Kennett Square.  She was a 2009 graduate of Kennett High School. She also attended the Chester County Intermediate Unit program, where she studied pre-nursing. She loved spending time with her brother, being outdoors, visiting the shore with friends and family, and assisting her mother with projects and catering. 

She is survived by her mother and father; brother Hunter of Wilmington; her maternal grandmother, Jeanie Scarlett Allenby; and great-grandmother Margaret Davenport, both of Kennett Square; paternal grandparents, Frank and Veronica Szczepkowski of Willmington; and several loving aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends. Her time with us was too short and she will be missed by all the hearts she touched.
A funeral was held Feb. 14. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to The Herren Project, PO Box131, Portsmouth, RI 02871. To share a memory with her family, visit www.griecocares.com.

EDNA T. MCDONOUGH

Edna T. McDonough, 73, of Oxford, passed away on Feb. 8.

She was the wife of F. Ronald McDonough for 43 years. She was born in Lincoln University.  She was the daughter of the late Mary Elizabeth and Arthur Townsend.

She had six children, two brothers, five sisters, 16 grandchildren, and 14 great-grandchildren. Her interests were her family and her small farm, where she lived out her life enjoying her horses and her dogs. 

A memorial service was heldFeb. 12 at Oxford Cemetery. To view Edna’s online tribute and to share a memory with her family, visit www.ruffenachfuneralhome.com

JOANNE M. DIBIASE

Joanne M. DiBiase, 72, passed away on Feb. 11 at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia from a ruptured brain aneurysm and subsequent brainstem bleed.
She was born in Lancaster, Pa., to Joseph T. Foy, Sr. and Mae Irene Foy (McCleary). She grew up in Coatesville. She graduated from Coatesville High School in 1959, and received her undergraduate degree in education from Millersville University. She attended graduate school at The University of Delaware, where she earned a master’s degree in counseling and guidance, and continued her education with post-graduate coursework. She was a mathematics teacher first at Avon Grove High School, and then at Unionville High School, where she served as the head of the math department until her retirement in 1999.

Joanne married John DiBiase in 1965 in Coatesville. They were happily married for 48 years. She was an active member of St. Michael’s Lutheran Church, leading the Wednesday Walk Bible Study, singing in the choir, serving on many church committees, and church council.  Joanne was also a member of an active prayer group, joining them on mission trips to Nicaragua and Kentucky. She enjoyed knitting, was an avid reader, an active volunteer, and a dedicated correspondent, sending notes and cards to the many people she met and cared for along the way.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Joseph and Mae Foy; and her brother, Ronald J. Foy. She is survived by her husband, John, of Kennett Square; and her brothers Joseph Thomas Foy, Jr. (Paulette) of Cape Coral, Fla., and Ray W. Foy (Jyll) of East Fallowfield, Pa.
A viewing and visitation will be held at St. Michael Lutheran Church (109 E. Doe Run Rd., Unionville) from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 19. An hour of visitation will be held from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. before the funeral service, which will held at the church at 11 a.m. on Feb. 20, with burial at the Union Hill Cemetery, Kennett Square. Following the burial, a luncheon reception for family and friends will be held in the church fellowship hall.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to St. Michael Lutheran Church, 109 E. Doe Run Road, Unionville, PA 19375; or to the Kennett Area Community Service (KACS) at P.O. Box 1025, Kennett Square PA 19348.  Online condolences can be made at www.griecocares.com.

MARTIN P. DILLON, JR.

Martin P. Dillon, Jr., 95, of Avondale, passed away on Feb. 11 at Brinton Manor in Glen Mills.

He was the husband of Doris Ball Dillon, who passed away in 2009, and with whom he shared 55 years of marriage. Born in Wilmington, Del., he was the son of the late Martin P. Dillon, Sr., and Margaret Connor Dillon. Along with his wife, he owned and operated the Avon Grove Diner for 19 years, retiring in 1988. He was a member of St. Gabriel of the Sorrowful Mother Church and enjoyed going to horse races.

He is survived by one son, M. Patrick Dillon III of Downingtown;  two sisters, Margaret “Babe” Markel of West Grove, and Mary O’Connell of Oxford; and two grandsons, Martin P. Dillon IV and Edward S. Dillon.

A visitation with family and friends will be held from 10 to 11 a.m. on Feb. 20 at  St. Gabriel of the Sorrowful Mother Church (8910 Gap Newport Pike, Avondale). His funeral Mass will follow at 11 a.m. Burial will be private. In lieu of flowers, a contribution may be made to the American Heart Association, 1617 JFK Boulevard, Suite 700, Philadelphia, PA 19103.

Online condolences may be made by visiting www.griecocares.com.

PHILOMENA BASILIO 

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Philomena (Mena) Basilio, 91, of Kennett Square, died peacefully, surrounded by her family, on Feb. 9 at Heartland Hospice House. 

She was the wife of Robert J. Basilio, Sr., who passed away in 1989, and with whom she shared 42 years of marriage. Born in West Chester, she was the daughter of the late Pantaleone Spaziani and Rosaria DiRusso Spaziani. She was a graduate of West Chester High School.  Prior to her marriage and life as a homemaker, she supported the war effort and worked at Bellanca Aircraft in New Castle, Del.  She was a member of St. Gabriel of the Sorrowful Mother Church and the Kennett Senior Center, where she volunteered for many years.    

Her greatest joy was her family, making raviolis and pizzelles for the holidays, hosting the Valentine's Day Pizza Party for more than 40 years, and attending sporting events for her children and grandchildren. She enjoyed polo, the Phillies, crossword puzzles and summer vacations in Ocean City, N.J.

She is survived by three sons, Robert J., Jr., and his wife Colleen of Landenberg, Lawrence E. and his wife Lynne of West Grove, and Michael A. of Kennett Square; two daughters, Patricia A. Marcocci and Joan M. McConnell, both of Wilmington, Del.; 10 grandchildren, Kristine (Lou), Brian (JoAnne), Stephen, Kimberly, Matthew, Anna, Christopher, Daniel, Brian and Andrew; and six great-grandchildren. She is also survived by two sisters, Mentina Spaziani of West Chester, and Mary Rose Ozoroski of Wilmington, Del.; and many nieces and nephews.  She was predeceased by her daughter, Rosanna Tavoni; her brothers, Daniel, Frank, Fred and John Spaziani; and her sister, Lucy Taylor.

A funeral was held Feb. 17. Interment was in St. Patrick's Cemetery. Contributions in her memory may be made to St. Gabriel of the Sorrowful Mother Church, PO Box 709, Avondale, PA  19311; or to Heartland Hospice House, 5661 Ocheltree Lane, Wilmington, DE  19808.

To share a memory with her family, visit www.griecocares.com.

VICO N. BERTOGLI

Vico N. Bertogli, 92, of Kennett Square, passed away on Feb. 12 at the Jennersville Regional Hospital. 

He was the husband of Rose DiGuisseppi Bertogli, who passed away in 1987, and with whom he shared 42 years of marriage. Born in Spring Hill, Iowa, he was the son of the late Pasquale and Mary Beradelli Bertogli. He was a mushroom grower, retiring in 1980. After his retirement, he was a bus driver in the early 1980s for the Unionville girls sports team, and he drove the championship hockey team. He served his country in the Army during World War II as a medic. He was a founding member and a past president of the Kennett Square VFW, a member of the American Legion, and a former New Garden  Township supervisor. He was a member of St. Patrick’s Church in Kennett Square. He loved the outdoors, and was an avid hunter, fisherman and golfer. He enjoyed all the Philadelphia sports teams on TV, and he especially enjoyed being with his family and friends.

He is survived by two sons, Vico N.Bertogli II and his wife Kathleen on Toughkenamon, and James P. Bertogli and his wife Donna of Kennett Square;  three daughters, Patricia A. Harris and her husband Gerald of Kennett Square, Rosemary Fulton of Wilmington, Del.,  and Lisa Krulicki and her husband Jack of Torrington, Conn.; eight grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.

A visitation with family and friends will be heldfrom 8 to 9:30 a.m. on Feb. 21 at the Kuzo & Grieco Funeral Home (250 W. State St., Kennett Square). His funeral Mass will follow at 10 a.m. at St. Patrick’s Church (212 Meredith St., Kennett Square). Burial will be in St. Patrick’s Cemetery in Kennett Square. 

NANCY HUYETT

Nancy Huyett, 66, of West Grove, Pa., passed away on Tuesday, Feb. 11 at the Jennersville Regional Hospital. She was the wife of Harry E. Huyett, with whom she shared 40 years of marriage.

Born in Kennett Square, she was the daughter of the late Clarence and Edith Kurtz Pyle. Nancy was a homemaker and enjoyed cooking, crafts, painting ceramics, being with her family and all holidays. In addition to her husband, she is survived by two daughters, Lisa Taylor and her husband Doug of West Grove, and Wendy Eldreth and her husband Jerry of Oxford; one sister, Linda Boult of Delaware, and eight grandchildren. Guests are invited to visit with Nancy's family and friends from 11:00 to 12:00 on Feb. 19, at the Kuzo & Grieco Funeral Home (250 West State Street, Kennett Square). A funeral service will follow at 12:00 p.m., and burial will be in Union Hill Cemetery, Kennett Square. 

COL. JAMES “DAVID” BYERLY 

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Colonel James “David” Byerly, 49, vice commander, 166th Airlift Wing, New Castle Air National Guard Base, Del., died Tuesday at his home. He was a command pilot with over 5,000 flight hours, including combat hours in Operations Just Cause, Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom.

Col. Byerly entered the Air Force in 1986, graduating from the U.S. Air Force Academy. He earned his pilot wings in 1987 and served on active duty for eight years. He then joined the Air Force Reserve where he served for 13 years before joining the Delaware ANG. During that time he earned his Juris Doctor degree and practiced law with Campbell Trial Lawyers for 15 years before retiring to accept his current position. He has flown C-130 aircraft throughout his entire career and has served as an expeditionary squadron commander on two separate occasions.

Byerly was a kind, generous, loving friend, husband and father. His passions included flying, woodworking, furniture making, reading and spending time with his family. He also enjoyed a good bourbon and spending time with his many friends especially when “the garage door was open.”

Byerly is survived by his loving wife and best friend, Jessica; his son Hank, 15; his daughter, Lake, 12; step-children Sydney Nelson, 25 and Reed Nelson, 20; his brother Will of Annapolis, Md. (wife Cathy); and sister Shelley Heijerman of Martin, Mich. (husband Mark, daughters, Laura Beth and Pamela, son Thomas (wife, Sara). He will be deeply missed by his family, many friends and colleagues both in his military and civilian life.

A memorial service was held at the New Castle Air National Guard Base, on Feb. 7. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The Wounded Warrior Project or the Delaware Food Bank. 

KATHERINE LUCY (BAIRD) STULKEN

Katherine Lucy (Baird) Stullken, 68, of Oxford, passed away Feb. 4, after a long bout with breast cancer.

She was born to the late Kenneth S. and Lucy A. (Byford) Baird Aug. 28, 1945 in Alton, Illinois.  She was a 1963 graduate of Edwardsville (IL) High School and 1967 graduate of Blackburn College (Carlinville, IL). Kathy was a wife, mother, homemaker and Elementary educator who taught in Gillespie, Illinois and Seabrook, Texas for over 20 years. She was a sports fan who enjoyed playing  tennis as much as she loved watching it. She also thoroughly enjoyed women’s collegiate sports and loved her time spent in Happy Valley cheering the Penn State women’s volleyball team. An avid reader who did crossword puzzles every day, she also played bridge with her friends regularly, and made counted cross-stitch Christmas pillows as collectables. She was an active member of Oxford Presbyterian Church, where she participated in several women’s and volunteer groups, served as a deacon and was responsible for having begun the yearly women’s retreat to Mariawald.

She is survived by her husband of 42 years, William G. Stullken (Bill), daughters Krista Suzanne Stullken and Sally Stullken Whitley (Zachary) and granddaughter Katherine Elizabeth Whitley, as well as her brother Thomas Byford Baird. She was predeceased by a sister, Patricia Rose Baird. A celebration of Kathy's life will be held on April 5, beginning at 11:00 a.m. at the Oxford Presbyterian Church, 6 Pine Street, Oxford, Pa.19363. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Second United Presbyterian Building Fund, 42 S. 5th Street, Oxford, Pa 19363. 

GERALDINE ROBERTS BARKER 

 Geraldine Roberts Barker, age 74, of Toughkenamon, PA, passed away on Feb. 17, at her daughter’s residence, with her family at her side.  She was the wife of Ray Gale Barker, who passed away in 2013, and with whom she shared 55 years of marriage.

Born in West Grove, PA, she was the daughter of the late Elijah J. and Ruby Edwards Roberts. She was a kitchen aide at Chatham Acres, Chatham, PA, for many years. She also worked at Phillips Mushrooms and in the kitchen at the New Garden Elementary School. She also did private house cleaning. Geraldine enjoyed reading, watching and feeding birds, the outdoors, country music and dancing. She was always laughing.

She is survived by two daughters, Debra Lyall of Cochranville, PA and Patricia Davenport and her husband Andre of Toughkenamon, Pa.; two brothers, Bobby Joe Roberts of Nottingham, Pa. and Glenn Elijah Roberts (Kathy) of Linwood, Pa.; Two sisters, Kathy Woods of Ashville, N.C. and Linda Sue Hampton (Jim) of Nottingham, Pa.; four grandchildren and five great grandchildren. She was predeceased by two sisters, Jean Ann Price and Rosalee Hoosier.

Guests are invited to visit with her family and friends from 9:00 to 11:00 on Monday morning, February 24, 2014, at the Kuzo & Grieco Funeral Home (250 West State Street, Kennett Square). Her funeral service will follow. Burial will be in New Garden Friends Cemetery, New Garden, Pa. Online condolences may be made by visiting www.griecocares.com 

VICO N. BERTOGLI, I, 

 Vico N. Bertogli, I, age 92, of Kennett Square, PA, passed away on Wednesday, February 12, 2014, at the Jennersville Regional Hospital. He was the husband of Rose DiGuisseppi Bertogli, who passed away in 1987, and with whom he shared 42 years of marriage.

Born in Spring Hill, Iowa, he was the son of the late Pasquale and Mary Beradelli Bertogli. Vico was a mushroom grower, retiring in 1980. After his retirement, he drove the Unionville High School girls sports team bus, and became their good luck charm on their drive to the 1985 Pennsylvania State Field Hockey Championship. He later delivered mail as a rural mail carrier, serving as a representative of the Pennsylvania chapter of the National Rural Letter Carriers Association, until his full retirement in 2001.

He served his country in the  during  World War II, as an Army Medic in the European Mediterranean and Middle East Theater. He was a founding member and a past president of the Kennett Square VFW, a member of the American Legion, and a former New Garden  township supervisor. He was a member of St. Patrick’s Church in Kennett Square, PA.Vico loved the outdoors, and was an avid hunter, fisherman and golfer. He enjoyed all the Philadelphia sports teams on TV, and he especially enjoyed being with his family and friends.

Bertogli is survived by two sons, Vico N. Bertogli, II and his wife Kathleen of Toughkenamon, and James P. Bertogli and his wife Donna of Kennett Square; three daughters, Patricia A. Harris and her husband Gerald of Kennett Square; Rosemary Fulton of Wilmington; and Lisa Krulicki and her husband Jack of Torrington, CT; as well as eight grandchildren and four great grandchildren.

Guests are invited to visit with his family and friends from 8:00 to 9:30 a.m. on Feb. 21, at the Kuzo & Grieco Funeral Home (250 West State Street, Kennett Square). His funeral Mass will follow at 10:00 a.m. at St. Patrick’s Church, 212 Meredith Street, Kennett Square. Burial will be in St. Patrick’s Cemetery, Route 82, Kennett Square. Online condolences may be made by visiting www.griecocares.com 

NANCY LYNN KOCHANSKY 

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Nancy Lynn Kochansky, 61, of Lincoln University, Pa., died in loving arms on Feb. 14, at Christiana Hospital. She was the wife of Michael T. Kochansky, with whom she shared 29 years of marriage, and the daughter of J. Philip Knobloch of Lincoln University and the late Nancy Lee Knobloch.
Lynn is survived by her husband; father; two sons and a daughter: Bradley Spahr of Glen Mills, Pa.; Kristin Spahr of Philadelphia; and Michael Kochansky of Los Angeles, Calif. She is also survived by two brothers: John Knobloch of Spring Grove, Pa.; and Bill Knobloch of Lititz, Pa.

"Mrs. K" was a first grade teacher at Elk Ridge Elementary School in Oxford, Pa., who believed that children's education could be greatly enhanced by providing additional loving support in the classroom. Her life was dedicated to her family and her students.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Neuro Critical Care Unit of Christiana Hospital in Christiana, Del., or to the Elk Ridge Elementary School in the Oxford Area School District.

In accordance with Lynn's wishes, services will be private. Arrangements are being handled by the Edward L. Collins, Jr. Funeral Home, Inc., Oxford, Pa. www.elcollinsfuneralhome.com.