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Chester County Press

Obituaries

07/30/2014 02:31PM ● By Lev


LEANNE BLEVINS

Leanne (Cope) Blevins, 62, of Little Britain, passed away on July 21 at Neighborhood Hospice in West Chester.

Born in Coaldale, Pa.,. she was the daughter of Anna Cooper Cope and the late George Cope, Sr. She enjoyed reading (especially the Bible), she was involved in her church activities, enjoyed going to the beach but most importantly spending time with her children, grandchildren and family. She owned and operated Leanne Blevins Beauty Salon for more than 15 years. Shee was a member of the Vineyard Christian Fellowship Church at the Barn in Landenberg.

In addition to her mother, she is survived by her two children, John (Kim) Blevins, Jr. of Little Britain, and Melissa B. (Seth) Momcilovich of Quarryville; two grandchildren, Brooke Blevins and Ariel Momcilovich; one brother, George H. Cope of Jim Thorpe, Pa.; and a sister, Karen Vandak of Coaldale, Pa. In addition to her dad, Leanne was preceeded in by a sister, Patricia R. Jones.

A funeral was held July 26. Interment was in the Little Britain Cemetery in Peach Bottom, Pa. Online condolences can be offered at www.ruffenachfuneralhome.com.

CHARLES E. DUNCAN

Charles “Bud” E. Duncan, 93, of Rising Sun, Md., passed away on July 23 at Union Hospital in Elkton, Md.

He was the husband of the late Ruth Sutphin Duncan, with whom he shared 58 years of marriage. Born in Lombard, Md., he was the son of the late Retta Duncan. He was employed as a machine operator with NVF in Newark, Del., and retired in 1985 after 36 years of service. He was a member of the Ancient Order of Croaking Frogs in Quarryville, the Strasburg Sportsmen’s Association, and a lifelong member of the Oxford Gun Club and Community Fire Company of Rising Sun. He was an avid hunter and enjoyed gardening.

He is survived by nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by two sisters, Anna Hawkins and Mary Roe.

Funeral services were held July 28. Interment was in the Oxford Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to the Community Fire Company of Rising Sun, 300 Joseph Biggs Memorial Hwy., Rising Sun, MD 21911. Online condolences may be made at www.elcollinsfuneralhome.com.

DOLORES JENNINGS
Dolores (Dee) Jennings, 52, of Lincoln University, passed away on July 22 at the Christiana Hospital in Newark, Del.

She was the beloved wife of James R. Jennings, with whom she shared 32 years of marriage. Born in Oceanside, Calif., she was the daughter of the late Ken and Joan Kuruc Weaverling of Landenberg. She graduated from Avon Grove High School in 1980.

In addition to her husband, she is survived by her daughters, Jessica Jennings and Shannon Jennings; and three grandchildren, Lillyah, Carlito and Dominic, all of Lincoln University. She is also survived by her sister, June Zeigler; and brother, Kenneth Weaverling, both of Landenberg. She was the daughter-in-law of James and Kathryn Jennings of Lehigh Acres, Fla.

A service was held July 28 at Christ Church at the Grove in New London. Interment was in the adjacent church cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Dee’s memory to the American Heart Association (www.heart.org), 1617 JFK Boulevard, Suite 700, Philadelphia, PA 19103. Online condolences may be made by visiting www.griecocares.com.

HAZEL L. BRYAN

Hazel L. Bryan, 96, of Wytheville, Va., formerly of New London, passed away on July 23 at Carilion New River Valley Medical Center in Christiansburg, Va.

She was the wife of the late William E. Bryan. Born in West Grove, she was the daughter of the late Elmer and Lillie Perkins Walters. She resided in Wytheville, Va., for the past 10 years. She was a member of the New London United Methodist Church, where she was active in the Ladies Group. She enjoyed sewing, and reading the Bible.

She is survived by one daughter, Eleanor Baker and her husband Paul of Wytheville, Va.; one sister-in-law, Betty Walters of Newark, Del.; and several favorite nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by two brothers, Edgar Walters and Elmer Walters.

A graveside service was held July 28 at the New London United Methodist Church Cemetery. Online condolences may be made at www.elcollinsfuneralhome.com.

ALLEN RAY SHANK

Allen Ray Shank, 60, of Oxford, passed away on July 18 at his home.

He was the husband of Bunny Midnight Shank, with whom he shared 34 years. Born in West Grove, he was the son of the late Herbert Allen and Jean Racine Shank. He graduated from Oxford Area High School, class of 1972. He was employed as a new car salesman at Porter Chevrolet in Newark, Del. He enjoyed carpentry, motorcycling and NASCAR. He was a devoted family man.

He is survived by his wife; one daughter, Amy J. Shank and his son-in-law James Duff of Oxford; two grandchildren, Alexandria and Jacklyn Duff; two stepdaughters, Jennifer Weitzel and her husband Bob of Kennett Square, and Jessie Rebecca Miller and her husband Charlie of Louisiana; two step-grandchildren, Jacob and Charlie, Jr.; two sisters, Arlene Stewart of Bradford and Betty Shores of South Carolina; one nephew, Jeremy Shores of South Carolina; three nieces, Jolene Culberson and husband Brad of Oxford, Rhonda Brinker of Bradford, and Desiray Harris of Little Britain; and a sister-in-law, Nacey Harris of Little Britain. He was preceded in death by his brother, Alvin Chip Shank; and a nephew, Shane Brinker.

A memorial service will be announced at the convenience of the family. Online condolences may be made at www.elcollinsfuneralhome.com.

RICHARD MCDONAUGH

Richard (“Freckle”  “Mack”) McDonaugh, 83, of Elkton, Md., formerly of Kennett Square, passed away on July 24 at his residence, surrounded by his family.

He was the husband of Delores Sluder McDonaugh, with whom he shared 57 years of marriage. Born in Kennett Square, he was the son of the late John J. and Edyth Fulton McDonaugh. He  worked at Chrysler Corporation in Newark, Del., retiring in 1998 after 40 years of service. He was a member  and past president of UAW Local No. 1183 in Newark,  Del., where he had served as a union official for 22 years. He enjoyed feeding birds, yard sales, animals, and being with his family and friends. He served his country in the U.S. Navy and was a lifetime member of the VFW  in Kennett Square, and a member of the American Legion, also in Kennett Square.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by one son, Richard E. “Lil Mack” McDonaugh, Jr., of Newark, Del.; one daughter, Sandra L. McDonaugh McVaugh and her husband Randy of Hockessin, Del.;  a special niece/daughter, Sonya Francois; three brothers, James McDonaugh of Avondale, William McDonaugh of Coatesville, and Robert McDonaugh of Landenberg; one sister, Betty Burnett of West Grove; one grandson, Richard E. McDonaugh III and his wife Ronnina; three great-grandchildren, Rion McDonaugh, Makeysia Davis and Jyasia Davis; and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by one brother, Jack McDonaugh; and one sister, Lucy Couden.

A visitation with family and friends will be held July 30 from 10 to 11 a.m. at the Kuzo & Grieco Funeral Home (250 W. State St.. Kennett Square). His funeral service will follow at 11 a.m. Burial will be in Union Hill Cemetery in Kennett Square.

ANNE BAILEY

Anne Heaps Murphy Bailey passed away on July 16, having just celebrated her 86th birthday.

Born in Whiteford, Md., on July 6, 1928, she was the only child of Gerald and Elizabeth Heaps. She attended Slate Ridge High School and graduated from Beaver College (now Arcadia University). She and "Pete" Murphy were married in 1951. After Pete’s death in 1955, Anne taught at Baltimore Friends School for six years, then married Jim Bailey in 1962 and moved to Oxford, Pa. On their retirement in 1998, they moved to Jenner’s Pond Retirement Community, where they lived until Jim’s death in 2012, when Anne moved to California to be closer to her daughter.

Anne lived life to its fullest and for her family and friends, and she was rarely without a smile or a kind word. For over 50 years, she gave her time to many Oxford organizations, including her beloved Oxford Presbyterian Church, St. Christopher’s Episcopal Church, the Southeastern Pennsylvania Chapter of the American Red Cross, Girl Scouts, Meals on Wheels, Ware Presbyterian Village and Neighborhood Services Center.

Surviving Anne are her daughter, Nancy Murphy; son-in-law, Daniel Ruth; and granddaughters Susannah Ruth and Margaret Ruth of Thousand Oaks, Calif. She also leaves many longtime friends from Oxford and southern Chester County.

A memorial service is planned at Oxford Presbyterian Church (6 Pine St., Oxford) on Aug. 13 at 11 a.m., with visitation at 10 a.m. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Neighborhood Services Center in Oxford, 35 North Third Street, Oxford, PA, 19363. Online condolences may be made at www.elcollinsfuneralhome.com.

JORDAN MCKINLEY

REYBURN, JR.

Jordan McKinley Reyburn, Jr., 70, of Oxford, passed away on July 25 at his home, surrounded by his family.

He was the husband of Holly Winters Reyburn, with whom he shared 32 years of marriage. Born in Oxford, he was the son of the late Jordan McKinley, Sr., and Alice Marion Griffith Reyburn. He lived in Upper Oxford Township his entire life. He graduated from Oxford Area High School, class of 1962. His family attends Christian Life Center in New London. Jordan was a member of Union Presbyterian Church in Kirkwood. He was also a member of Skerrett Lodge No. 343 F&AM of Cochranville. He loved his life as a farmer. He was a dairy farmer until 2008, and then continued as a crop farmer. He loved to travel to farm shows around the country. He also loved surf fishing on Hatteras Island, N.C. He lived a simple life, always making time for others. He loved being at home with family. He always wanted to give to others.

He is survived by his wife; and two children, Julia Marie Reyburn and Jordan McKinley Reyburn, III. He was preceded in death by his loved daughter, Laura Patricia Reyburn.

A celebration of life service will be held at 6 p.m. on Aug. 1 at the New London Presbyterian Church Christian Life Center (125 Saginaw Rd., Lincoln University). Interment will be private.

In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to the Lighthouse Youth Center, PO Box 38, Oxford, PA. Online condolences may be made at www.elcollinsfuneralhome.com.

HELEN M. COLLINS

Helen M. Collins, 82, of Oxford, passed away on July 26 at her home.

She was the devoted wife of the late Edward L. Collins, Jr. Born in Cashtown, she was the daughter of the late George and Gladys Clapsadl Steinberger. She was active with her late husband, son and granddaughter with their family funeral home, Collins Funeral Home. She was a member of the Sacred Heart Church, charter member of the Contemporary Club, member of the Green Thumb Garden Club, Soroptomist Club, and executive director of the Oxford Meals on Wheels for many years. She was awarded Oxford Citizen of the Year by Mayor Henry in 2007. She enjoyed her bridge clubs, cooking, collecting dolls, the beach, traveling with her late husband, and loved having her family together on holidays.

She is survived by two sons, Edward L. Collins III and his wife Cynthia of Ft. Myers Beach, Fla., and Kevin D. Collins of Oxford; two daughters, Coletta L. Robinson and her husband Joseph of Pottstown, and Janine Y. Pavese and her husband Robert of Lincoln University; nine grandchildren, Aaron Robinson, Julie Collins, Edward Collins IV, David Collins, Gabrielle Collins, Kelsey Collins, Chase Pavese, Kathryn Collins and Emily Collins; and sister-in-law, Coletta Childress of Georgetown, Texas.

Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. on July 30 at Sacred Heart Church (203 Church Rd., Oxford). Interment will be in Oxford Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to Sacred Heart Church, 203 Church Rd., Oxford, PA 19363. Online condolences may be made at www.elcollinsfuneralhome.com.

MARIAN FOGG REESE

Marian Fogg Reese, 94, of Kennett Square, passed away on July 24 at Neighborhood Hospice in West Chester.

She was the wife of Harry Eugene Reese, who passed away in 1973, and with whom she shared 31 years of marriage. Born in Kennett Square, she was the daughter of the late J. Clarence Fogg, Sr., and Mabel Way Fogg. She was co-owner and operator of Reese's Pharmacy in Kennett Square for 35 years. She was a lifetime member of the First Baptist Church of Kennett Square, where she taught Sunday school and sang in the choir. She enjoyed baking, was a loving caregiver, and enjoyed being with her family and friends.

She is survived by one son, Charles F. "Fred" Reese of Kennett Square; one sister, Margaret "Dollie" Fogg Clayton of Chester; and two grandchildren, Heather Uster of West Chester, and Heidi Yarnall of West Chester. She was predeceased by one son, David Reese; one brother, J. Clarence "Bud" Fogg; and five sisters, Elizabeth "Lib" Murphy, Amy "Pat" Willis, Esther Bramble, Dorothy "Dot" Stumpf, and Eleanor "Ellie" Hickman.

A visitation with family and friends will be held from 10 to 11 a.m. on Aug. 2 at the First Baptist Church of Kennett Square (415 W. State St., Kennett Square). Her funeral service will follow at 11 a.m. Burial will be in Union Hill Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, contributions  may be made to the First Baptist Church of Kennett Square, 415 West State Street, Kennett Square, PA 19348; or to Neighborhood Hospice, 400 East Marshall Street, West Chester, PA 19380. Online condolences may be made by visiting www.griecocares.com.


BETTY LIGHTCAP DANDO

Betty Lightcap Dando, 89, of Chadds Ford, formerly of Oxford, went to be with her Lord and Savior on July 27 after a valiant battle with congestive heart failure.

Betty was preceded in death by her husband, Melvern P. Dando, with whom she shared 22 years of marriage; and her parents, Earl and Kathryne Garner Lightcap. She was also preceded in death by her sister, Thelma Ressler (Andy); and her brother, Dr. Earl J. Lightcap, Jr. She is survived by her sister Hazel “Bunny” M. Propst (Paul) of Oxford; three children who consider themselves privileged to have Betty as their mom, Vern Dando (Eileen) of West Chester, Bob Dando (Mary Ellen) of West Grove, and Kande Dando Speers (Bob) of West Chester; and nine grandchildren who brought Betty absolute joy, Trey Speers, Jackie Dando, Dando Speers, Robert Dando, Kelly Dando, Luke Speers, Melinda Speers, Austin Dando, and Kate Dando. To many, Betty was known as Mommom.

Betty was known for her card sending, kindness and love she showed to all. A visitation with friends and family will be held July 31 from 7 to 9 p.m., and Aug. 1 from 10 to 11 a.m., at the Brandywine Baptist Church (1463 Baltimore Pike, Chadds Ford), where Betty was a member for 55 years. Her funeral service will be held 11 a.m. Friday at the church. Interment will be in the adjoining cemetery.

Contributions in her memory may be made to the Brandywine Baptist Church, P.O. Box 162, Chadds Ford, PA 19317. To view her online tribute and to share a memory with her family, visit www.griecocares.com.

RONALD F. MYERS

Ronald F. Myers, 84, of Lincoln University, died on July 24 at his home, surrounded by his family. 

He was the husband of Mary Fernald Myers, with whom he shared 55 years of marriage. Born in East Haven Conn., he was a son of the late Hiram and Cynthia Stocker Myers. He earned his PhD in botany at the University of Maryland in 1964. He was a professor of plant pathology at Rutgers University, retiring in 1993 after 26 years. He served our country during the Korean War in the Army. He was a member of the American Legion in East Haven and Riverton, Conn. He loved to travel with his family, especially on cruises. 

Survivors include, in addition to his wife, one son, Mark Myers of Langhorne;  two daughters, Trudy Myers of Lincoln University, and Cynthia Haggerty of Urbana, Md.; one brother, Donald Myers and his wife Barbara of New Harbor, Maine; two sisters, June Kremser and her husband Walter of Wallingford, Conn., and Patricia Szabo of Winston, Conn.; and three grandchildren, Anna Krohn, Daniel Haggerty and Christine Haggerty. 

Services and interment will be held privately. Contributions in Ronald’s memory may be made to the  Alzheimer’s Association, 399 Market St., Suite 102, Philadelphia, PA 19106.  To share a memory with his family, visit www.griecocares.com.