ELIZABETH S. ILSEMANN

Elizabeth S. Ilsemann, 82, of Kennett Square, died on July 5 at Linden Hall Nursing home in Kennett Square.

She was the wife of the late Richard Ilsemann, who died in 2004, and with whom she shared 51 years of marriage. Born in West Chester, she was a daughter of the late Burton O. and the late Josephine M. (Cole) Smith. A graduate of Syracuse University, she attended Church of the Advent in Kennett Square for many years, singing in the choir. She and her husband were owners of the family business, Burton O. Smith Wholesale Chrysanthemums, in Unionville in the 1960s and 1970s.When her children were young, she assisted with the Girl Scouts. She loved family time, the vegetable garden and canning, camping, sewing, reading, and bird watching.

Survivors include one son, Stephen Ilsemann (Donna Wilkins) of Marlton, N.J.; one daughter, Nancy Bagnall (Curt) of Coatesville; one sister, Barbara Vennerbeck of Rhode Island; and a grandson, Andy of Colorado.

Services and interment were held privately. Contributions in her memory may be made to the Friends Home, 147 W. State St., Kennett Square, PA 19348. To share a memory with her family,  visit www.griecocares.com.

MICHAEL L. LEVINE

Michael L. Levine, 70, passed away on June 27 at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania following a sudden illness.
He is survived by his daughter, Gabriel Levine Smith; son-in-law, Andy Smith; grandson, Keegan; and several close friends he considered family.
Son of Philip and Clara Levine, he and his sister Joyce were raised in Cherry Hill, N.J. Michael attended Utah State University, graduating with a degree in zoology and history. He served in the Air Force, gaining experience in the cardio pulmonary department. He was stationed at Andrews Air Force Base and later stationed in Japan. He attended Hahnemann Medical College and became a physician's assistant in 1976. He was passionate about medicine and continued to practice until this past winter.  Because of Michael's appreciation for the outdoors and open spaces, he moved to Oxford in 1984, where he remained until his death. He enjoyed skiing, cycling, and working in his yard. He loved animals, and always had cats and dogs sharing his home. He was a proud father and grandfather, a selfless individual who will be greatly missed by all who knew him. 

A visitation with family will be held from 10 to 11 a.m. on July 19 at the Foulk & Grieco Funeral Home, (200 Rose Hill Rd., West Grove). A memorial service celebrating his life will follow at 11 a.m. Interment will be held privately. Memorial contributions may be made in his honor to The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society Eastern PA Chapter, 555 North Lane, Suite 5010, Conshohocken, PA 19428; or The National Humane Society, 40 E. Main Street #364-I, Newark, DE19711. To share a memory with his family, visit www.griecocares.com.

MAXWELL JAMES HOFFMAN, JR.

James “Jim” Hoffman passed from this life on July 11. He was 86. 

Jim was preceded in death by his wife of 57 years, Jeanette D. Hoffman. He was born in 1928 in Lebanon, Pa.  He served his country in the U.S. Navy during World War II. He began his career in banking at the First National Bank of Lebanon. Eventually, his career would lead him to Kennett Square, where he worked for the National Bank and Trust Company. He was instrumental in guiding the bank through a number of mergers, which in turn led to a position with Meridian Bank as senior vice president for North American relationships. After retirement from Meridian in 1988, Jim realized a personal dream, and was one of the founders of Security First Bank in Media. In his later years, he became a financial consultant with local enterprises.

Through his life, Jim was an entrepreneur, served on the Kennett School Board, chaired local and county organizations, and was involved with the community in various capacities. He was a member of St. Michael’s Lutheran Church. He loved music, was an active skier into his 70s and was a proud member of the Kennett Koffee Klatch. 

He is survived by his four children; five grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. He also leaves one sister and a sister-in-law.

Graveside services will be held at 11 a.m. on July 16 at the Mt. Lebanon Cemetery (235 Maple St. East, Mt. Lebanon, Pa.).  In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to Willow Tree Hospice, 616 Cypress Street, Kennett Square, Pa 19348. To share a memory with his family, visit www.griecocares.com.

LORRAINE C.

FIORE ALONZO

Lorraine C. Fiore Alonzo, 97, of Kennett Square, died on July 10 at Neighborhood Hospice in West Chester.  

She was the wife of the late Leonard Fiore, who died in 1964, and with whom she shared 24 years of marriage; and the late Peter Alonzo, who died in 1989, and with whom she shared 16 years or marriage. Born in Kennett Square, she was a daughter of the late Bernardo and the late Josephine (DiBartolomeo) Cordivano. She was a longtime member of St. Patrick Church. She loved baking and entertaining, but most of all, she adored her family and loved spending time with them. 

Survivors include two sons, Roland Fiore of Kennett Square, and Pete Alonzo Jr. of Avondale; three daughters, Patricia Swift (Richard) and Dolores Allen, both of Kennett Square, and Theresa Forte (Rich) of West Chester; nine grandchildren, John, Kathleen, Terry, Kelly, Kristen, Meghan, Chris, Richie and Christina; and 21 great-grandchildren.   She was predeceased by four brothers and two sisters. 

A visitation with family and friends will be held from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. on July 16 at Kuzo & Grieco Funeral Home Inc. (250 W. State St., Kennett Square).  Her mass of Christian burial will follow at 10 a.m. at St. Patrick Church (212 Meredith St., Kennett Square). Interment will be held privately in St. Patrick Cemetery.  Contributions in her memory may be made to Meals on Wheels of Chester County, Inc., 404 Willowbrook Lane, West Chester, PA 19382; or the Kennett Area Senior Center, 427 S. Walnut St., Kennett Square. To view her online tribute and to share a memory with her family, visit www.griecocares.com.

ELIZABETH J. CLOUD

Elizabeth “Betty” J.  Cloud, 77, passed away on July 11 with her family by her side at the University of Pennsylvania Hospital in Philadelphia, after a brief illness.  

She was born in 1937 in Wilmington, Del., to the late Kennard and Erma Rigler Sweede of Chadds Ford.  She was the granddaughter of Joseph and Katie Rigler, and the niece of Earl and Margaret Rigler. 

She attended junior high at the Chadds Ford School, where she earned a letter in softball and was a member of the Glee Club. While attending Kennett High School, she was part of “The Five K’s” cheerleading squad and graduated in 1955. After graduation, she was employed by Diamond State Telephone in testing services for five years. In 1957, she married her high-school sweetheart, Horace “Pennell” Cloud, and shortly after settled into their current home in Kennett Square. After their son, Jeffrey Lane Cloud, was born in 1960, Betty spent her time as a homemaker and leader of Cub Scout Pack 24 in many activities. In the late 1970s, she became a member of Barrie’s Shoes in Kennett Square, where she continued to work for 19 years.

Her hobbies included ceramics, knitting and playing Scrabble with her friend, Loretta. She loved preparing for Christmas and shopping for all her friends and relatives, especially the little ones.

Over the years, Betty and her husband traveled extensively, visiting 13 countries, but the place most special to her was Ocean City, Md., where she had taken vacations every year since the 1940s. Her husband joined the tradition, and for more than four decades, they would stay at the same hotel (the former Belmont-Hearne) on Dorchester Street, where they made many friends and began a pig roast at the hotel every fall.  The mayor of Ocean City awarded Betty and Pennell the “Key to the City” for their years of supporting the beach community.

Betty is survived by her beloved husband, Horace P. Cloud; her son, Jeffrey L. Cloud and his wife Mary, of Chesapeake City, Md.;  four nieces, Patti Bryson of Wilmington, Del., Donna Pida of Wilmington, Del., Karen E. Fidanza and her husband Mark V. of Avondale, and Carol T. Myers and her husband Cubby of Kennett Square. She was preceded in death by three sisters, Norma Sweede, Patricia Pida and Lois Tice. Other survivors include several grandchildren; great-grandchildren; and many great-nieces and nephews.
Family and friends are invited to a viewing and visitation on July 17 at Kuzo & Grieco Funeral Home (250 W. State St., Kennett Square) from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Graveside services will be held on July 18 at 2 p.m. at Union Hill Cemetery (424 N. Union St., Kennett Square. Online condolences maybe made by visiting www.griecocares.com.