Skip to main content

Chester County Press

Obituaries

09/24/2014 05:02PM ● By Lev

 

GUSTAV H. SCHROEDER

Gustav H. Schroeder, 101, of Kennett Square died on Sept. 15 at Crosslands Community in Kennett Square. 

He was the husband of the late Miriam J. Schroeder, who died in 2011, and with whom he shared 71 years of marriage. Born in the United Kingdom, he was the son of the late Gustav W. and the late Shirley I. (Roe) Schroeder. He was a self-employed wholesale florist. He enjoyed helping others, entertaining friends with Mim, making strong drinks (which he never drank himself!), and working. He was a member of the Church of the Advent.

Survivors include one daughter, Gwen (Dan) Hepler of Pittsburgh, Pa. He was predeceased by a brother, Spencer; and a sister, Matilda.

A visitation with family and friends will be held on Sept. 25 at 2 p.m. in the William Penn room at Crosslands Community (1660 E. Street Rd., Kennett Square).  Interment will be held privately.  Contributions in his memory may be made to the Church of the Advent, 201 Crestline Drive, Kennett Square, Pa., 19348; or the Crosslands Employee Appreciation Fund, 1660 East Street Road, Kennett Square, PA 19348.  To share a memory with his family, visit www.griecocares.com .

MARGARET  LAFFERTY  McCONNELL

Margaret Lafferty McConnell, 84, of Kaolin, Pa., passed away on Sept.19 at Season’s Hospice at Christiana Care, Newark, Del.

She was the wife of Raymond F. McConnell, Sr., who passed away in 1997, and with whom she shared 47 years of marriage. Born in West Grove, and a lifetime resident of Kaolin, she was the daughter of the late Lewis and Mary Kelly Lafferty. She was the business manager and co-owner of McConnell’s Auto repair in Avondale, retiring in 1989 after 29 years of service. After her retirement, she worked as a companion at various nursing homes. She was a member of St. Gabriel of the Sorrowful Mother Church in Avondale, and the Kennett Area Senior Center. She enjoyed traveling, shopping, collecting antiques, knitting, being with her family and friends, and having a good time.

She is survived by two daughters, Rosemary Ellis and her husband Norman of Chatham, Pa., and Mary McConnell of Coatesville; three sons, Raymond F. McConnell, Jr., of Avondale, Lewis C. McConnell of New Castle, Del., and William F. McConnell and his wife Cheryl of West Grove;  one sister, Mary Jackson of Winter Gardens, Fla.; one brother, James Lafferty of West Chester; six grandchildren; and one great-granddaughter. She was predeceased by two brothers, Lewis and Bill Lafferty.

A visitation with family and friends will be held from 10 to11 a.m. on Sept. 24 at St. Gabriel of the Sorrowful Mother Church (8910 Gap Newport Pike, Route 41, Avondale).  Her funeral mass will follow at 11 a.m. Burial will be private. In lieu of flowers, a contribution may be made to the Kennett Area Senior Center, 427 South Walnut Street, Kennett Square, PA 19348. To view her online tribute and to share a memory with her family, visit www.griecocares.com.

T. ROSS BALLEW

T. Ross Ballew, 91, of Kennett Square, died on Sept. 17 at the Crosslands Community.

He was the husband of Margaret Stirling Ballew, with whom he shared 68 years of marriage. Born in Savannah, Tenn., he was the son of the late General Joseph H. and Nettye Lee (Powell) Ballew.  He served in the Army during World War II and graduated from Vanderbilt University. He had a long career with General Electric, attaining the position of general sales manager, retiring in 1984. He enjoyed sailing, golf, tennis, chorus and volunteerism. Most recently, he was a member of the outreach committee at Church of the Advent in Kennett Square.

Survivors include, in addition to his wife,  one son, Tom Ballew and his wife Celeste of Lancaster, Pa.; two daughters, Stirling Davenport of Poughkeepsie, N.Y., and Sally Shutt and her husband Sam of Hendersonville, Tenn.; five grandchildren, Miles, Melissa, Chris, Sergey and Roma; and one great-grandchild, Sai.

A memorial service was held Sept. 22. Contributions in his memory may be made to the Church of the Advent, 201 Crestline Drive, Kennett Square, PA 19348.  To view his online tribute and to share a memory with his family, visit www.griecocares.com.

RICHARD ARROWOOD

Richard Arrowood, 81, of Oxford, passed away on Sept. 20 at Calvert Manor Healthcare Center, Rising Sun, Md.

He was the husband of the late Jean Buffington Arrowood, who passed away in 2013. He was a farmer in East Nottingham Township most of his life. He was also formerly employed with Quality Cleaners in Oxford, Container Corporation in Wilmington, Del., and retired from Modern Mushroom in Toughkenamon. He attended Media Mennonite Church in Oxford. He was a member, gymayaka chairman and past president of the Valley Ridge Saddle Club in Nottingham, and a member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles Aerie No. 2666, Oxford. He enjoyed riding horses, hunting and softball.

He is survived by one son, Gary Arrowood (Ayshie) of Oregon, Ohio; seven daughters, Deborah McComsey (John) of Christiana, Pa., Linda Kilgore of Peach Bottom, Cheryl Rendler (Bo) of Oxford, Bonnie Kennelly (Jim) of Atlanta, Ga., Dottie Greer (Junior), Denise Hilton (Tink) and Dena Arrowood, all of Oxford; 22 grandchildren; 24 great-grandchildren; and one sister, Verna May Ham of Lewisville. He was preceded in death by a son, Dennis Arrowood; a daughter, Susan Arrowood; a brother, Marshall Arrowood, Sr.; and three sisters, Pansy Lindsey, Ruth Pennington and Elsie Greer.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Sept. 26at the Media Mennonite Church (866 Fifth St., Oxford). Relatives and friends may visit on Sept. 25 at the funeral home from 6 to 8 p.m., and Friday from 10 to 11 a.m. at the church. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to the Media Mennonite Church Building Fund, 866 Fifth St., Oxford, PA 19363. Online condolences may be made at www.elcollinsfuneralhome.com.

MARCUS ALLEN RUFF

Marcus Allen Ruff, 26, of Downingtown, formerly of Lincoln University, passed away on Sept. 19.

Born in West Chester, he was the son of Michael Ruff and Robin Hudson of Lincoln University. He graduated from Vo-Tech as a mason and Oxford Area High School in 2006. He was employed with Jake Stoltzfus Masons in Honey Brook. He enjoyed video games, and loved spending time with his family, especially his daughter.

He is survived by his parents; one daughter, Amiyah Ruff, at home; five brothers, Michael Anthony Ruff of Lincoln University, Dwayne Twyman and Dante Twyman, both of Downingtown, Kareem Charity of Soudertown, and Marlin Miller of Maryland; two sisters, Angie Miller of Oxford, and Ashley Stanley of Morgantown; and his companion, Adrienne Rochester.

A homegoing service be held at 11 a.m. on Sept. 24 at the Edward L. Collins, Jr. Funeral Home, Inc. (86 Pine St., Oxford), where friends and family may visit from 10 to 11 am. Interment will be in private. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Amiyah’s College Fund, in care of Robin Hudson, 145 Irwin Dr., Lincoln University, PA 19352. Online condolences may be made at www.elcollinsfuneralhome.com.

WALTER E. KINSLOW

Walter E. Kinslow, 82, of Nottingham, passed away on Sept. 11.

He was the son of Henry and Pearl Kinslow. He is survived by his wife, Vera Kinslow; seven children; 18 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; one brother; and other relatives and friends.

A service will be held at 4 p.m. on Sept. 24 at the Oxford United Methodist Church (18 Addison St., Oxford), with a reception from 3:30 to 4 p.m. For more information, visit www.DeBaptiste.com.

DOROTHY B. SIMPERS

Dorothy B. Simpers, 91, of Oxford, passed away on Sept. 20 at Jennersville Regional Hospital in West Grove.

She was the wife of the late William T. Simpers, Jr. Born in Pattenburg, N.J., she was the daughter of the late Herman and Louise Stempel Bauman. She was employed with Bell of Pennsylvania for more than 30 years. She managed the switchboard in Oxford during the 1940s, retiring as chief service advisor for Southeast Pennsylvania and Delaware. She volunteered with Telephone Pioneers of America and hospice, and several charities for animal welfare. She was a member of the Oxford Senior Center, Research Club, Senior Circle at Jennersville Regional Hospital, The Red Hats, and was past president of the Green Thumb Garden Club in Oxford.

She is survived by one daughter, Leslie A. Simpers and her husband George W. “Skip” Miller of Oxford; and one sister, Louise A. Bauman of Oxford.

Graveside services will be held at 11 a.m. on Sept. 25 at Oxford Cemetery (220 N. Third St., Oxford). Relatives and friends may visit from 10 to 10:50 a.m. on Sept. 25 at the Edward L. Collins, Jr. Funeral Home, Inc. (86 Pine St., Oxford). In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Large Animal Protection Society (LAPS), PO Box 243, West Grove, PA 19390. Online condolences may be made at www.elcollinsfuneralhome.com.

ROBERT S. JONES

Robert Steven Jones, 52, of Oxford, passed away suddenly on Feb. 3, 2011 while visiting friends in Florida. A memorial service will be held 11:30 a.m. on Oct. 2 in conjunction with his mother, Shirley M. Jones, at the Edward L. Collins, Jr. Funeral Home, Inc. (86 Pine St., Oxford), where friends and family may visit from 11 to 11:30 a.m. 

Robert was born in West Grove, the son of the late Everett L. and Shirley M. Jones. He was a graduate of Oxford Area High School and was employed by QVC in West Chester for 20 years. He enjoyed music, gardening, all kinds of animals, feeding the birds and squirrels, and trips to Ocean City, Md., with family. He was a steadfast and generous friend to everyone he knew. His faithful dog, Cody, was waiting at the Rainbow Bridge for his master, where they will continue their long walks together and share some Frosty Paws ice cream.
He is survived by, and will always be missed by, his sister Mary (Dewey) Hauman of Penn Yan, N.Y.; niece Lisa Robinson; and nephew Dan Hauman, and their children. He was preceded in death by his father and two brothers, Paul and Gary.

In lieu of flowers, consider a donation to the Chester County SPCA, 1212 Phoenixville Pike, West Chester, PA 19380. Online condolences may be made at www.elcollinsfuneralhome.com.

SHIRLEY M. JONES

Shirley Marie Jones, 89, of Oxford, went to her heavenly home on Sept.19.

She was born in Little Britain, Pa., daughter of the late Clarence P. and Ida McCall Campbell.  She was the wife of Everett L. Jones, with whom she shared 55 years of marriage before his passing in 1998. For the past three years Shirley was a resident of Pocopson Home. She was a devoted wife, mother, homemaker, and “Grammy." She loved animals, especially cats, and rescued several over the years and took them into a life of luxury. She loved to keep up with current events by reading as many as five newspapers every day. Her home meant everything to her and she was happiest being there taking care of her family and pets.  For many years, she enjoyed her annual trip to Ocean City, Md., and people-watching on the beach. 
She is survived by, and will always be missed by, her daughter Mary (Dewey) Hauman of Penn Yan, N.Y.; grandchildren Lisa (Patrick) Robinson of New London, and Dan (Diana) Hauman of Penfield, N.Y.; four great-grandchildren, Stephen and Sarah Robinson, and Josh and Nicholas Hauman; two brothers-in-law, Fred Jones and his wife Doris of Rising Sun, Md., and Steve Jones of Nottingham; sister-in-law Jean Jones of Rising Sun, Md.; and many special nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, and three sons, Paul, Gary and Robert.
A memorial service will be held 11:30 a.m. on Oct. 2 in conjunction with her son, Robert S. Jones, at the Edward L. Collins, Jr. Funeral Home, Inc. (86 Pine St., Oxford), where friends and family may visit from 11 to 11:30 a.m.  Interment will be private.
In lieu of flowers, consider a donation to the Chester County SPCA, 1212 Phoenixville Pike, West Chester, PA 19380. Online condolences may be made at www.elcollinsfuneralhome.com
.