PATSY H. ADAMS

Patsy H. Adams, 79, of Landenberg, passed away on March 30 at her residence.  

She was the wife of Vernon E. Adams, who passed away in 2005, and with whom she shared 51 years of marriage. Born in Oxford, she was the daughter of the late Howard and Virginia Armstrong Hogg. She was homemaker, and she enjoyed boating, the beach, yard and house work, and being with her family and friends. She was a member of the West Grove Presbyterian Church.

She is survived by one son, Dennis K. Adams of Landenberg; one daughter, Denise A. Houghton and her husband Hayward of Lincoln University; three brothers, Howard Hogg of Kelton, William Hogg of Peach Bottom, and Charles Hogg of West Grove; three sisters, Betty Heibeck of West Grove, Linda Yerkes of Cochranville, and Norma Moore of Kelton; six grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by two sisters, Margaret Keefer and Frances Crawford. 

A memorial service was held April 5. In lieu of flowers, a contribution may be made to the Brandywine River Valley Hospice, 121 Bell Tower Lane, Oxford, PA 19363. Online condolences may be made by visiting www.griecocares.com. 

CATHERINE BOYD NATALE

Catherine “Renie” Boyd Natale, 79, of West Grove, passed away on March 30 at her home, surrounded by her family.  

She was the wife of Raymond G. Natale, Sr., with whom she shared 57 years of marriage. 

Born in Philadelphia, she was a daughter of the late Allen and the late Bertha (Boyer) Boyd.  She graduated from Avon Grove High School in 1953, where she was crowned May Queen for her senior class. During high school, she and her three sisters were members of the Oxford Drum and Bugle Corps, participating as the Color Guards. After graduating from high school, she worked for Hercules Company in Wilmington, Del.  During this time, she was encouraged to enter Kennett’s Centennial Celebration Pageant in 1955, being crowned “Miss Kennett Centennial.”

She was a homemaker after the birth of her children until the late '70s, when she returned to the work force, first helping family friends with their catering company. She also delivered mail for West Grove and worked at Bostonian/Clark Shoe Company as a customer service rep. Most recently, she was a greeter at Giant in Jennersville from the time of its opening. 

Survivors include, in addition to her husband, one daughter, Catherine M. Abernethy and her husband Jim of Landenberg; one son, Raymond Natale, Jr., of West Grove and his girlfriend Dee Oliffe; two sisters, Mary Hilton of Coatesville, and Ruth Schoch and her husband J. Fred of Cochranville; and one brother, Elwood “Tommy” Jr., of Cleveland, Ga.; and two grandchildren, Taylor M. Abernethy and Austin M. Abernethy, both in college.  She was predeceased by five brothers, Arthur, Lawrence, Elwood, Chauncey, and Charles; and one sister, Tillie.  

A funeral was held April 7. Contributions in her memory may be made to the American Cancer Society, 1626 Locust St., Philadelphia, PA 19103.  To view Renie’s online tribute and to share a memory with her family, visit www.griecocares.com.

HOWARD BULLOCK, JR.

Howard Ulysses Bullock, Jr., 80, of West Grove, died on March 30 at Seasons Hospice in Newark, Del.

He was the husband of Dorothy Nesbitt Bullock, with whom he shared 50 years of marriage.  Born in West Chester, he was the son of the late Howard Bullock, Sr., and the late Dorothy Jackson Bullock. He served our country in the Army. He was a skilled steel guitar player.  He loved playing in his church, and in earlier years with the band Shorty Nesbitt & The Wranglers.  

In addition to his wife, Dot, he is survived by two cousins, Helen Ann Cooney and her husband Kevin of Bel Air, Md., and Joe Anderson of Coatesville. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews who love him very much. .

A funeral was held April 5. Interment was in New London Presbyterian Cemetery.  Contributions in his memory may be made to the Jennersville Church of the Brethren, West Baltimore Pike, West Grove, PA  19390. To share a memory with Howard’s family, visit www.griecocares.com.

CHRISSY L. ELY TAYLOR

Chrissy L. Ely Taylor, 38, of Oxford, passed away on March 31 at Jennersville Regional Hospital in West Grove.

Born in West Chester, she was the daughter of Dorothy A. Ely of Oxford and the late Angelo Cotto. She was employed with Giant Food Stores in Jennersville for eight years. She enjoyed reading, movies, and walking. 

She is survived by her mother; three sons, Ejion Wilson, Tyrese Ely, and Alijah Taylor, all of Oxford; one daughter, Tiana Ely of Oxford; two brothers, Steven A. Ely of Huntington Beach, Calif., and Angel Cotto of Florida; four sisters, Kathy Ely of Pennsylvania, Carmen Harris of Oxford, Lelonda Smith of North East, Md., and Lisa Ely of Delaware.

Funeral services were held April 4. Interment was in Oxford Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to the American Diabetes Association, PO Box 11454, Alexandria, VA 22312. Online condolences may be sent at www.elcollinsfuneralhome.com. 

JESSE E. STIDOMS

Jesse E. Stidoms, 58, of Oxford, passed away on April 1 in Elkton, Md.

He was the husband of Virginia Kennedy Stidoms. Born in West Grove, he was the son of Norma Stidoms of Elkton, Md., and the late Wells Arthur Stidoms, Sr. He enjoyed listening to bluegrass, and rock and roll music. He especially loved spending time with his family.

He is survived by his wife; mother; one son, Wells Andrew Stidoms and his wife Patricia of Elkton, Md.; one stepson, John LaForte and his companion Anita Smith of Oxford; two grandchildren, Wells Andrew Stidoms II, and Jenna Dickens; one step-grandson, Cody LaForte; and two brothers, Wells Arthur Stidoms, Jr., of Oxford, and Roy Eugene Stidoms of North East, Md. He was preceded in death by two sisters, Wanda Hile and Rose Marie  Hennessy.

A graveside service was held on April 5 at the Oxford Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to Seasons Hospice & Palliative Care, 6934 Aviation Blvd., Suite N., Glen Burnie, MD 21061. Online condolences may be sent at www.elcollinsfuneralhome.com. 

CONCETTA  “CONNIE" E.  FRANCESCHINI  JORDAN

Concetta "Connie" E. Franceschini Jordan, 87, of West Grove, passed away on April 2 at her residence. 

She was the wife of Joseph C. Jordan, Jr., who passed away in 2007, and with whom she shared 60 years of marriage. Born in Kennett Square, she was the daughter of the late James (Jimmy) and Elizabeth Doto Franceschini. She was a secretary at the NVF Company in Yorklyn, Del., retiring in 1985, after 42 years of service. She enjoyed bowling, playing cards, shopping, and helping people in need. She attended St. Patrick’s and Kennett Consolidated Schools. She was a member of St,. Patrick’s Church for 62 years, and later was assigned to St. Gabriel of the Sorrowful Mother Parish. After moving to West Grove, she became a member of the Assumption BVM Church in West Grove.

Connie is survived by four sisters, Philamena Ayres and Marguerite Fuski, both of Belleview, Fla., Rosie Jones and Melania “Millie” Devonshire, both of West Grove; her caregivers, special niece and nephew, Sandy and Tom Jones of Kennett Square; and several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by one sister, Alice Dunn.

A funeral was held April 8. Burial was in St. Patrick’s Cemetery in Kennett Square.

In memory of Connie, a contribution may be made to Neighborhood Hospice, 795 E. Marshall Street, Suite 204, West Chester, PA 19380. Online condolences may be made by visiting www.griecocares.com.

DALE WAYNE HOWELL

Dale Wayne Howell, 61, of Oxford, passed away on March 31 at the Coatesville VA Hospital.

He was the husband of Ellen Baker Howell. Born in West Chester, he was the son of the late Charles and Ethel Tedder Howell. He was a lifelong resident of Oxford. He served in the U.S. Air Force from 1972 to 1975. He enjoyed playing the lottery, fishing, and telling stories. He will be missed.

He is survived by his wife; son, Robert J. Howell of Kennett Square; stepsons, Eric Owens of Pylesville, Md., Brian Owens of West Grove, and Robbie Owens of Moline, Ill.; and stepdaughter, Katie Owens of Oxford. Dale had many grandchildren he loved spending time with -- Katie, Riley his fishing buddy, Maia, Emma, Cole, Noah, Savannah, Sarah, Joey, Timmy and his special little buddy, Tommy; brothers, Richard Howell and his wife Joyce, Steve Howell and wife Sandy, David Howell, Andrew Howell and his wife Jessica, and Randy Howell; and sisters, Deborah Long and her husband Gary, and Sandy Schimelfenig and her husband David. He was preceded in death by a sister, Linda Farmer. 

A memorial service was held April 26. Interment was private. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Edward L. Collins, Jr. Funeral Home, Inc. 86 Pine St., Oxford, PA 19363 to help with expenses. Online condolences may be sent at www.elcollinsfuneralhome.com. 

BILLY JOE BLACKBURN 

Billy Joe Blackburn, 59, of Mountain City, Tenn., passed away on April 3 at the Johnson City Medical Center.  

He was born in 1955 in New London to the late Roy and Georgia Wyatt Blackburn. He lived in Lancaster County for most of his life, but moved to Mountain City in 1990. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by brothers Larry Blackburn and Carl Blackburn.

Billy was a dedicated father. He enjoyed collecting tractors and old cars, and especially enjoyed laughing and talking with his friends.

He is survived by the  mother of his children, Maria Blackburn; two daughters, Kelly Vaughn and husband Dallas, and Carrie Hampton and Randy Elmore; a son, Eric Blackburn and wife Pam; a stepson, Zyan Dishman; sisters, Katherine Griffith, Barbara Jean Blackburn, Karen Luna and Betty Luna; brothers, Rick Blackburn, Jerry Blackburn, and Bobby Blackburn; grandchildren, Dakota Swiney, Ericka Blackburn, Brandon Blackburn, Kendra Vaughn, Ethan Blackburn, Warren Hampton, Conner Dugger, and Darien Elmore; great-grandchild Evan Wyatt Hutchison; and by several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services were held April 7 at the Mountain City Funeral Home Chapel. Condolences may be sent to the family through www.mountaincityfh.com.

BETTY JEAN STILWELL 

Betty Jean Stilwell, 76, of Kennett Square, passed away on March 28 at the Brandywine Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Wilmington, Del.

Born in Horsepen, Va., she was the daughter of the late Levi and Pearl Dickens Stilwell. She was the past owner of the Chabet Boutique in Chadds Ford. She enjoyed gardening, reading, riding in horse-drawn carriages, and being around children.

She is survived by one sister, Charlotte Stilwell of Kennett Square; one brother, Ervin Stilwell of Sindney, Ohio; one special nephew, Colin Courtney of Kennett Square; and a special sister-in-law, Barbara Stilwell of Hockessin, Del.

A Memorial service will be held at 4 p.m. on April 26 at the Big Bend Chapel in Chadds Ford. In lieu of flowers, a contribution may be made to the Brandywine River Museum, P.O. Box 141, Chadds Ford, PA 19317. Online condolences may be made by visiting www.griecocares.com.