Mary E. Hampton Powers, 78, of Landenberg, passed away on Feb. 13 at Chester County Hospital in West Chester.

She was the wife of the late Eugene Powers. Born in West Chester, she was the daughter of the late Carl E. and Vera M. Grace Hampton. She attended Bible Evangelical Church of Kennett Square. She was a loving and caring person. Mary’s home was an open door for family and friends to stay in their time of need. She would also give food to anyone who was hungry. Mary enjoyed cooking and always made enough for an army. She loved to serve the Lord and will be greatly missed by many.

She is survived by one son, Dale Powers and his wife Barbara of Landenberg; three grandchildren, Vincent, David and Beth Powers; two great-grandchildren, Mackenzie and Alexander Powers; one sister, Charlotte Roark of Landenberg; many nieces and nephews, and great-nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by a son, David Jeffrey Powers; three brothers, Buddy, Norman and Wilmer Hampton; and one sister, Edith Briley.

Funeral services were held on Feb. 18 at Bible Evangelical Church of Kennett Square (500 E. Cypress St., Kennett Square). Interment was in Auburn Regular Baptist Church Cemetery, Landenberg. Donations in her memory may be made to the Bible Evangelical Church of Kennett Square. Online condolences may be made at www.elcollinsfuneralhome.com .

Jule B. Hoover, 90, of Unionville, passed away on Feb. 14 at her residence. 

She was the wife of Gerald E. Hoover, with whom she shared 62 years of marriage. Born in Scranton, she was the daughter of the late William and Estella Hewitt Bartley. She was a math teacher at Ursuline Academy in Wilmington, Del., retiring in 1991. She enjoyed shopping, especially being with her grandchildren and family.

In addition to her husband, she is survived by two sons, Jerry Hoover and his wife Mary of Burtonsville, Md., and Terry Hoover of Kennett Square; and three grandchildren, Brendan, Patrick and Garrett. She was predeceased by seven brothers and sisters.

Her service and burial were private. In lieu of flowers, a contribution may be made to the Disabled American Veterans, PO Box 14301, Cincinnati, OH 45250-0301. Online condolences may be made by visiting www.griecocares.com.

Kay C. Bennett, 85, of West Chester, passed away on Feb. 17 at Barclay Friends.

She was the wife of the late Leslie S. Bennett, Jr., who passed away in 1997. Born in Oxford, she was the daughter of the late Horace N. and Frankie Kline Cullen. She was a 1946 graduate of Oxford High School, and a 1949 graduate of Hahnemann Hospital School of Nursing. She worked as a registered nurse at Hahnemann, Chester County and Memorial Hospitals for many years. She belonged to the Hahnemann Hospital Nurses Alumnae Association, Inc., The West Chester Planters, and American Baptist Women’s Ministries. She enjoyed her family, baking, gardening and reading.

She is survived by her children, Michael Bennett (Sharon), Dr. Jean Bail, Ed.D. (Joseph), Nancy Mellinger (Robert); grandchildren, Christine Flynn (James), James Bennett (Michelle), Martha Davis (Michael), Andrew Sholl (Maryanne), Mark Mellinger, Megan Mellinger; five great-grandchildren; and brother John Cullen (Alma). She was preceded in death by her sister, Ruth Cullen. She was expecting her sixth great-grandchild this spring.

A funeral was held Feb. 21. Interment was at Oxford Cemetery. Condolences may be made by visiting: www.foundsfunerlhome.com.

James W. Wetzel, 63,  died on Feb. 15 after a severe fall in his home.

He was born in Madison, Wis., in 1951 and was the son of Roland H. Wetzel and Murial (Auler) Wetzel. His family moved to Wilmington, Del., when he was an infant, and later moved to Landenberg. He graduated from Avon Grove High School in 1969. He attended Penn State University, graduating in 1973 with a BS degree. He married Rosa Baron in 1972, and they had three children -- Adrian, Riki, and Janel. He worked as a restaurant manager for several years. Then he worked as a lab technician at the DuPont Stine-Haskell Laboratory, where he was employed until his retirement. He was an active member of the Avondale Presbyterian Church, and was a trustee at the time of his death. His favorite activities were boating, fishing, hiking and traveling. He hiked a considerable part of the Appalachian Trail.

He is survived by his children, Adrian, Riki (wife Desiree), Janel (husband Robert Louis Hanlon); father and mother, Roland and Murial Wetzel; and brother, Peter J. Wetzel. 

A viewing was held Feb. 21, followed by a private burial. A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on March 14 at at the Avondale Presbyterian Church (420 Pennsylvania Ave., Avondale). In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Jim may be sent to the  Avondale Presbyterian Church, P.O. Box 446, Avondale, PA 19311. Online condolences maybe made by visiting www.griecocares.com.

Marian B. Lewis, 92, of Kennett Square, died on Feb. 16 at Pocopson Home in West Chester.  

She was the wife of the late Charles Hunter Lewis, who died in 1956. Born in Kennett Square, she was the daughter of the late Franklin and Mamie Merritt Bernard. She served our country in the Army as a nurse during World War II.  Her duties took her to England, Japan, and D-Day in France. She also attended two World’s Fairs. She had a long career as a registered nurse, working in family practice in Kennett Square. She was a lifelong member of the Presbyterian Church of Kennett Square. She volunteered her nursing skills for many years at the Friends Home. In her late years, she enjoyed reading, needlepoint, cross-stitch, and visits from her great-grandchildren.  

Survivors include one son, Douglas Lewis of Texas; eight grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by one brother, Franklin Merritt Bernard; two sons, Alan and Charles Lewis; and one daughter, Yvonne Lewis Martelli.  

A visitation with family and friends will be held from 10:30 to 11 a.m. on Feb. 25 at the Presbyterian Church of Kennett Square (211 S. Broad St., Kennett Square). A memorial service will follow at 11 a.m. Inurnment will be in Union Hill Cemetery. Contributions in her memory may be made to the Presbyterian Church of Kennett Square.To view her online tribute and to share a memory with her family, visit www.griecocares.com.

Gertrude L. “Trudy” Reyburn, 91, of Cochranville, passed away on Feb. 19 at Jennersville Regional Hospital in West Grove.

She was the wife of Luther F. Reyburn, Jr., with whom she shared 61 years of marriage. Born in West Grove, she was the daughter of the late Robert J. and Marian Webster Merrick. She was formerly employed with Diamond Ice & Coal in Wilmington, Del. She was always active on the family farm. She was a member of the Oxford Church of the Nazarene. 

She is survived by her husband; and one daughter, Carolyn A. Reyburn of Cochranville. She was preceded in death by a sister, Edythe Stoltzfus.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Feb. 27 at the Oxford Church of the Nazarene (116 E. Locust St., Oxford). Friends and family may visit from 10 to 11 a.m. Interment will be private. Online condolences may be made at www.elcollinsfuneralhome.com.

ROBERT S. TAYLOR
Robert Steven Taylor, 63, of Phoenix, Ariz., formerly of Oxford, passed away on Feb. 7 in Phoenix.
He was the husband of the late Rose Albright Taylor and Janey Minder Taylor. Born in Jennersville, he was the son of the late James, Sr., and Bonnie Corum Taylor. He received his Associate of Arts degree with a major in human services in June, 2009. He was a member of the NWTF Association. He was employed as a case worker with Kelsch Associates for 20 years. He was part of the family living arrangement. He opened his home and heart to Matthew Goodley, who resided with Robert for eight years, and Richard Gray for five years. They both called him dad. Robert enjoyed collecting old coins, raising chickens, and fishing and boating while in Arizona.
He is survived by his four children, Robert Taylor Jr. and his wife Elizabeth of Elkton, Md., Ronald Taylor and his wife Shawneen of Wakefield, Candita Taylor and her husband Matthew of Nottingham, and Sandra Nickel and her husband Joseph of Quarryville; ten grandchildren, Justine Rodriguez and her husband Nelson, Rose Nickel, Ericka Nickel and Bradley Nickel, Matthew Taylor Jr., Steven Taylor, Summer Grove, Sydney Taylor, Samantha Taylor, and Ronald S. Taylor Jr.; four great-grandchildren, Justin Rodriguez, Jayda Rodriguez, Blake Ibach, and Paislee Brooks; six siblings, John Taylor and his wife Shirley of Elkton, Md., Jim Taylor of North East, Md., Tim Taylor and Charlie Taylor, both of Florida, Linda Butler of Elkton, and Cathy Hall of Florida; and companion, Cathy Pratt of Arizona. He was preceded in death by his great-granddaughter, Justinia Rodriguez; and five siblings, Sue Harris, Mary Clark, Don Taylor, Dave Taylor and Nancy Krauss.
A memorial service was held on Feb. 23. Online condolences may be made at www.elcollinsfuneralhome.com.

Irene B. Taylor, 87, of Avondale, passed away at her residence on Feb. 21.

Born in West Grove, she was the daughter of the late James C. and Suzanna Mackey Taylor. She was a bookkeeper at Conard-Pyle, Star Roses in West Grove for 60 years, retiring in 2005. She was a member of the Avondale Presbyterian Church, where she had served as an elder, deacon, Sunday school teacher, and a moderator or the Presbyterian Women’s Group. She enjoyed gardening and sewing.

She is survived by one brother, James R. Taylor and his wife Alice of Wilmington, Del.; one nephew, Douglas R. Taylor; and one niece, Kendra S. DiOrio. She was predeceased by one sister, Alice Cooper.

A visitation with family and friends will be held from 10 to 11 a.m. on Feb. 27 at the Kuzo & Grieco Funeral Hone (250 W. State St., Kennett Square). Her funeral service will follow at 11 a.m. Burial will be in Union Hill Cemetery in Kennett Square. In memory of Irene, a contribution may be made to the Avondale Presbyterian Church, P.O. Box 446, Avondale, PA 19311. Online condolences may be made by visiting www.griecocares.com.

Mary Jane Mahaffey, 82,  of West Grove, died peacefully in her sleep on Feb. 22 after a long illness. 

Jane was born to Alfred and Lillian Slade in 1932 in Philadelphia. She graduated from Upper Darby High School in 1950 and then attended Beaver College, where she majored in music. After graduating in 1954, she sang solo soprano in many recitals and performances. After marrying George H. Mahaffey III in 1955, Jane became a homemaker and professional piano teacher to many young people over the next 40 years. She enjoyed boating and golf, and was an energetic leader in her church and community. 

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, and her sister Dorothy (Dottie) Langston. She is survived by her son, George W. Mahaffey; her sister, Betty Morgan; and her two grandchildren, Evan George Mahaffey and Katharine Leigh Mahaffey. 

In lieu of flowers or other acknowledgements, the family requests that donations be made to The Boy Scouts of America. Jane had requested a private funeral service to be reunited with her loving husband, George H. Mahaffey III. The family wishes to extend special appreciation the staff at the Jenner’s Pond Retirement Community and the Willow Tree Hospice for their dedication to assure Jane’s comfort. To leave an online condolence, visit www.griecofuneralhomes.com.