ADA M. LOFTON

Ada M. Lofton, 101, of West Grove, died on Oct. 10 at her home in West Grove.

She was a postal clerk for the Landenberg Post Office for over 32 years. She was the oldest living member of the Landenberg United Methodist Church before her passing, having joined the church in 1926. She was an avid Phillies fan. During her lifetime, she enjoyed traveling to over 30 of the 50 states.  

Survivors include three cousins, with whom she lived -- Clifford Harkins, William Harkins, and Virginia Harkins; two additional cousins, Manny and his wife Thelma of Hockessin, Del., and Melvin Harkins of New Holland, Pa.; and several nieces and nephews.

A funeral was held Oct. 14. Interment was in Union Hill Cemetery in Kennett Square. To view her online tribute and to share a memory with her family, visit www.griecocares.com.

LOIS CUMPSON BYREM

Lois Cumpson Byrem, 88, of Kennett Square, passed away on Oct. 7  in Linden Hall.

She was the wife of Gerald Hoffman Byrem, who passed away in 2010, and with whom she shared 63 years of marriage. Born in Hillside, Pa., she was the daughter of the late George and Mary Smith Cumpson. She was a graduate of McKeesport High School and Harrisburg Area Community College.

She lived in the Harrisburg area from 1948 through 1980. Beginning in 1980, she resided in Strasburg, Pa., until recently when she became a resident of Linden Hall at the Friends Home in Kennett Square.

She was active for three decades in the First Church of the Brethren in Harrisburg, where she was the church treasurer for 17 years. The last 30 years of her life, she was active in Palatines to America, for which she served as secretary-treasurer for a number of years.

She is survived by two sons, Jeffrey L. Byrem and his wife Paula of Kennett Square, and Richard B. Byrem and his wife Barbara of Incline Village, Nev.; a sister, Nancy Evans of Greensburg, Pa; three grandchildren, Julia, Rachel and Phaedra; and nine great-grandchildren.

​​Graveside services were private. Contributions in her memory may be made to The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research, Grand Central Station, P.O. Box 4777, New York, NY 10163-4777 (www.michaeljfox.org). Online condolences may be made by visiting www.griecocares.com.

RICHIE LaFRANCE

Richie LaFrance, 67, of Avondale, passed away on Oct. 7 at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania.
He was the husband of Deborah Feconda LaFrance, with whom he shared 23 years of marriage. Born in West Chester, he was the son of the late James and Jessie Lemmon LaFrance. Richie worked in the maintenance department at Kendal at Longwood, for 10 years, retiring in 2013. Prior to that, he had worked at the NVF Company. He was a member of the VFW Post No. 5467 in Kennett Square. He  enjoyed drinking beer, watching NASCAR and the Dallas Cowboys on TV. He was an avid Dallas Cowboys fan. He enjoyed being with his cat, his family and friends, especially his granddaughter, Aubree.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by two stepdaughters, Susan Kline and Ashley Kline, both of Kennett Square; one sister, Josephine Fragale of Avondale; and one granddaughter. He was predeceased by four brothers, Ralph, Peter, Joseph and David LaFrance; and one sister, Catherine Ferranto.
A memorial service was held Oct. 13. Burial was in St. Patrick’s Cemetery in Kennett Square. Online condolences may be made by visiting www.griecocares.com.

FLORENCE REESE VOSHELL

Florence Reese Voshell, 94, of Oxford, formerly of Media, went home to be with the Lord on Oct. 9 at Ware Presbyterian Village in Oxford.

She was the wife of the late Philip Voshell. She was preceded in death by her first husband, Robert William Reese. Born in Philadelphia, she was the daughter of the late Charles and Alice Wren Cox. She was employed as a secretary with the Rose Tree Media School District. She e was a member and deaconess of the North Chester Baptist Church in Chester.  She also served as a Sunday school teacher. She enjoyed sewing and gardening, along with spending time with her grandchildren.

She is survived by one son, Robert P. Reese, Sr., of Clark Summit, Pa.; one daughter, Judith C. Federoff and her husband John of Avondale; six grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; two brothers,  Charles Cox of Arizona, and James McLaughlin of Clark Summit; and one sister, Dorothy Selden of Ohio.

A memorial service was held on Oct. 13.Donations in her memory may be made to Landenberg Christian Academy, PO Box 397, Kemblesville, PA 19347. Online condolences may be made at www.elcollinsfuneralhome.com.

LEONARD WILLIAM

ROTTEVEEL, SR.

Leonard “Len” W. Rotteveel, Sr., 81, passed away on Oct. 8 at his home in Kennett Square.

He was born in Philadelphia in 1932 and lived in Sassenheim, Netherlands, with his family from 1933 until 1946. He attended West Catholic High School, and after high school, proudly served as a Sergeant in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. He spent over 30 years building and managing the Garden Fair retail garden center in Media, Pa. When he wasn’t sharing his passion for flowers and landscaping with others, he could be found deep-sea fishing, tending his garden, cheering on Philadelphia sports teams, and enjoying and adoring his wife, kids and grandkids.

He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Eileen; his son, Leonard Rotteveel, Jr., and daughter-in- law Cherie; son, James Rotteveel; daughter, Eileen Division and son-in-law Daniel; grandchildren Allison, Rachel, Eric, Kathryn and Danny; brothers Bill, Simon, and John; and sisters Louise, Katie, Mary, Beatrix, Betty, and  Joanne.  He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Cees, and sisters Nilah, Dorothy, and Ida.

A funeral was held Oct. 14. Interment was at Saints Peter and Paul Cemetery in Springfield, Pa. Online condolences may be made by visiting www.griecocares.com.

 CATHERINE A. GRAYBEAL

On Oct. 10, Catherine Ashton Graybeal peacefully entered eternity at the age of 95.

She was born in 1919 in Plainfield, Ind., into a Quaker family. Early in her life, her parents and four older siblings made the long trek to Harford County, Md., where for many years the family welcomed travelers into their guest home, known as Arbor Lawn. She excelled as a student and graduated from Dublin High School in Maryland. Following graduation, she attended Olney Boarding School in Ohio for one year, taking additional advanced courses. While there, she continued in her love of sports by playing tennis, after having participated in track during high school.  The year following her graduation from boarding school, she met Wayne Graybeal and they were married. The newlyweds moved to Southern Chester County, where they raised their family and labored together on a dairy farm. They joined Beulah Baptist Church, where Kitty ministered to others as a Sunday school teacher, costume maker for Christmas programs, VBS, and hostess to countless missionaries. Wayne and Kitty were married for 74 years. Wayne died in November of last year.

Kitty is survived by her four children, James Graybeal of Coatesville, Janet Kirkley of Elkton, Md., Albert Graybeal and wife Suzanne of Coatesville, and Philip Graybeal and wife Elaine of Greer, S.C.; 10 grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. Prior to her death, Kitty was a resident at The Gardens, an assisted living community of Freedom Village in West Brandywine, Pa.
Services will be held at Beulah Baptist Church on Oct. 15 at 10:30 a.m. Friends may visit from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m.  Interment will be at Beulah Baptist Church immediately following the service. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Beulah Baptist Church Sunday School Program or Missionary Program at the following address: Beulah Baptist Church, 3815 Newark Road, Oxford, PA 19363. Online condolences may be made at www.elcollinsfuneralhome.com.