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Chester County Press

Obituaries for the week of April 13

04/14/2015 01:50PM ● By J. Chambless
RUTH ELEANOR MARIAN WESTWOOD
Ruth Eleanor Marian Westwood, 84, of Oxford, formerly of West Chester, passed away on April 6 at her home.
She was the wife of the late Delbert Westwood. Born in Concordville, she was the daughter of the late Jessie and Lillian May Hutton Deaver. She attended Bethlehem United Methodist Church in Thornton. She and her late husband owned Westwood Garden Center in West Chester for 30 years, and retired in 2006. Ruth enjoyed spending time with her family, shopping, family dinners and playing cards.
She is survived by her one daughter, Lori Mullin and her husband Keith of Oxford; three grandchildren, Lynn Brown and her husband William, Leaha Lopez and her husband John, and Mark Howe, Jr., and his wife Sarah; two great-grandchildren, Della Brown and Winifred Brown; one sister, Alice Stanfield of Wilmington, Del.; and one brother, George Deaver of Arizona.
Funeral services were held on April 9. Interment was in the Glenwood Memorial Park in Newtown Square. Online condolences may be made at www.elcollinsfuneralhome.com.
M. LEE FERTIG
M. Lee Fertig, 76, of Kennett Square, passed away on April 3, surrounded by his family.
Born in Harrisburg, he was a son of the late Herbert M. and the late Geraldine (DePew) Fertig. He served his country in the Navy. He attended Ryder College, where he met his sweetheart and future wife, Mary Pyle Fertig. They enjoyed 53 years of marriage. He owned his own accounting practice, MLF Office Service, for more than 40 years. He was a longtime member of Lower Brandywine Presbyterian Church, Canine Partners for Life, Kennett Fire Company, and was secretary of SECCRA since its origin. He enjoyed going to the beach, hunting, fishing, and snowmobiling.  He was an avid Philadelphia sports fan.  Most of all, he cherished time spent with his family.  
Survivors, in addition to his wife, include two sons, Kevin L. Fertig and his wife Allison of Kennett Square, and David C. Fertig of Kennett Square; and a daughter, Crystal F. Bennett and her husband Craig of Nottingham; one brother, Wayne B. Fertig of Harrisburg; and six grandchildren.  
A funeral service was held on April 10. Interment was in Lower Brandywine Cemetery in Wilmington. Contributions in his memory may be made to Canine Partners for Life, P.O. Box 170, Cochranville, PA 19330; or to Lower Brandywine Presbyterian Church, 101 Old Kennett Road, Wilmington, DE 19807. To view his online tribute or to share a memory with his family, visit www.griecocares.com
JOAN WEAVER HANNA
Joan Weaver Hanna, 80, of Wilmington, Del., passed away on April 5. 
Born in West Chester, she was the daughter of the late Raymond and Ruby Hart Weaver. She was a woman of faith with a heart for the Lord. She was a caring and selfless mother, grandmother, and friend who will be deeply missed by many. 
Survivors include one son, David A. Hanna and his wife Tracy of Wilmington, Del.; one daughter, Debra Michie and her husband William of Quarryville; and three grandchildren, Erin Hanna of Wilmington, Kimberly Kelly and her husband Thomas of Rising Sun, Md., and Rachel Chandler and her husband Ryan of Quarryville.  
Services were held on April 9. Interment was in the Union Hill Cemetery in Kennett Square. Contributions in her memory may be made to the American Heart Association or charitable organization of your choice. To view her online tribute and to share a memory with her family, visit www.griecocares.com.
MILTON LEON ALLEN
Milton Leon Allen, 85, of Oxford, died on April 6 after a lengthy illness. 
He was the husband of the late Claudette Bailey Allen. Born in Eskdale, W.Va., he was the son of the late Ray C. and Catherine M. Gayton Allen. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, gardening, going to the mountains, and watching football. 
He is survived by two sons, Larry L. Allen of Martinsburg, W.Va., and Rich D. Allen (married to Penny) of Oxford; a grandson, Andrew S. (married to Robin) of Oxford; a granddaughter, Michelle (married to Jon) Lyter of Liverpool, Pa.; a great-grandson, Andrew C.; two sisters, Loretta Porter of Oxford and Louise Burgess of Oxford; and two brothers, George of Tennessee and Carmen "CJ" of Texas. In addition to his wife and parents, he was predeceased by a brother, James Allen.
The funeral service was held on April 9. Interment was in the Oxford Cemetery. Donations in Milton's memory can be made to the Brandywine River Valley Hospice, 121 Bell Tower Lane, Oxford, PA 19363. Online condolences can be made at www.ruffenachfuneralhome.com.
C. JAMES YEATMAN
C. James “Jim” Yeatman, 83, of Kennett Square, peacefully passed away on April 7.
He shared 56 years of marriage with his beloved wife, Barbara L. Yeatman. Jim was born in West Grove, and was the son of the late Clarence Pennock and Marjorie Brosius Yeatman. He graduated from George School and attended The Pennsylvania State University and Goldey-Beacom College. He later enlisted in the U.S Army and served in Korea. He was a third-generation mushroom farmer who owned and operated C.P. Yeatman & Sons Inc., and pioneered organic mushroom growing. Among the many activities that Jim has been involved with -- including his role in the American Mushroom Institute, Mushroom Growers Association, London Grove Township planning commission, his service as Republican committeeman and Upland Country Day School trustee -- he was most passionate about his involvement with the Avon Grove Lions Club. He also served with the organizations Ag in the Classroom and Meals on Wheels. Aside from his many accomplishments, Jim loved to travel in his motorhome with his wife, Barbara, and their beloved dogs. He also enjoyed many activities such as YAG Club, Little Bucket, reading, playing tennis, snowmobiling, and nature walking with his sweet dog, Moxie.
In addition to his wife Barbara, he is survived by one daughter; Jennifer L. Yeatman of Florida, two sons, Steven J. Yeatman and his wife Judy A. of Chatham, and Gerald E. Yeatman and his wife Judy W. of London Grove Township; one brother, Robert Yeatman and his wife Grace of Oxford; one sister, Elizabeth Walker of Pennsbury Township;  and eight grandchildren, Kari, Jessica, Jason, Sara, Emily, Lucy, Jane and Lydia. He was predeceased by one brother, Arthur P. Yeatman. 
Friends and family are invited to visit with the family from 10 to 11 a.m. on April 18 at the  London Grove Friends Meeting (500 W. Street Rd., Kennett Square). A memorial meeting for worship will follow at 11 a.m. to celebrate Jim’s life. A private interment will be held for immediate family. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made in his memory to Avon Grove Lions Club for K-9 Partners for Life, c/o Bob Yeatman, 600 Baker Station Rd., West Grove, PA 19390. Online condolences may be made by visiting www.griecocares.com.
EDWARD D. GREGORY, JR.
Edward Davis Gregory Jr., 84, of Kennett Square, died on April 11. He thought that many obituaries are rather routine recitations of events and accomplishments, and so he decided to write his own with a more personalized slant. To wit:
Ed Gregory did the best he could -- which wasn’t too bad. 
Ed was born April 28, 1930 in the small rural town of Bedford, Va., the oldest of three boys. Unathletic and insecure, he was your typical nerd as a boy.  But he had a couple things going for him. He was a good student, and he had parents who were able to have his teeth straightened and to send him away to a good school. He graduated from Princeton University and received an MBA from Harvard Business School. Shortly after, he got married and  served as an officer in the U.S. Coast Guard, where he thought he was the least likely to get shot at. The Coast Guard experience turned out well, as he spent his entire tour on the beaches of Florida and Puerto Rico.
The marriage didn’t last, but he did have two daughters, Karen Hogan and Lee Gregory, of whom he was justly proud. 
Ed’s next enlistment was with the DuPont Company in Wilmington, Del., where he served faithfully, if not always happily, for 35 years, and where he retired with the title of Assistant Treasurer. Along the way, he got the break of his life when he married Kathie Gray (nee Rayne) of Kennett Square.  Kathie brought to the marriage her warm personality and three handsome children, Peter Gray, Lisa McManus, and David Gray; and, eventually, four wonderful grandchildren, Becca Gray, Gray McManus, Natalie and Caroline Gray. Ed once said that when he was with Kathie he felt like the lucky kid in school who was taking the most popular girl in class to the prom.
On retirement from DuPont, Ed and Kathie set out on the important task of making the most of the rest of their lives.  They played tennis and golf, traveled extensively, and spent many happy hours with family and their many friends. Ed died after a long battle with leukemia/ lymphoma, which he, of course, lost.
A memorial meeting was held April 14 at Kennett Friends Meeting House. In lieu of flowers, Ed wants everyone to grab someone loved, and to go out and buy themselves a dinner to celebrate his life. (Ed loved to eat, especially desserts!) If people insist on making a contribution, they can send a check to Neighborhood Hospice, 400 East Marshall Street, West Chester, PA 19382. Condolences can be made at www.longwoodfuneralhome.com.
ROGER D. MOORE
Pastor Roger Doss Moore, 66, of Conowingo, Md., passed away on April 12 at MedStar Franklin Square Medical Home in Rosedale, Md.
He was the husband of Donna Lee Johnson Moore, with whom he shared 48 years of marriage. Born in Martinsville, Va., he was the son of the late Otto F. and Dorothy Mae Copeland Moore. He retired from Chrysler after 30 years of service. Roger was a faithful Pastor of the Oxford Church of God for 26 years. He enjoyed playing the guitar and keyboard, building computers, and driving his tractor.
He is survived by his wife; four children, Jolene Patey and her husband Mark, Julene Moore, Roger Darrell Moore Jr. and his wife Michelle, and Otto James Moore; six grandchildren, Keri Elizabeth, Hannah, Timothy, Chance, and Joshua; three great-grandchildren, Lilly, MacKenzie, Tatelli; four sisters, Deborah Sue Moore, Diane Spencer, Sandra Doss, all of Virginia, and Marilyn Wright of Texas; and one brother, Douglas Moore of Virginia.
 Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on April 16 at the Oxford Church of God (198 Barnsley Rd., Oxford). Friends may visit at the Edward L. Collins, Jr. Funeral Home, Inc. (86 Pine St., Oxford) on Wednesday from 6 to 8 p.m. Interment will be in Brookview Cemetery, in Rising Sun, Md. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to Donna Moore, 158 Old Mill Rd, Conowingo, Md. 21918. Online condolences may be made at www.elcollinsfuneralhome.com.
CARL G. PRIGG 
Carl George Prigg, 87, of Lincoln University, passed away on April 8 at Jennersville Regional Hospital. 
He was the husband of Pauline Guy Prigg, with whom he shared 58 years of marriage. Born in West Grove, he was the son of the late John and Annabelle Brown. He was a grounds keeper at the Oxford Cemetery in Oxford for 12 years. Carl enjoyed fishing and loved the outdoors.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by one daughter, Tonya L. Prigg of Avondale; two sons, Ronald Prigg and his wife Rosie of Lubbock, Texas, and Richard Prigg of Downingtown; 15 grandchildren; one great-grandchild; and two great-great grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. on April 18 at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses (3470 Gap Newport Pike, West Grove). Burial will be private. Online condolences may be made by visiting www.griecocares.com.
DAVID P. LINDQUIST
David Peary Lindquist of Lancaster, born in 1943, died on April 12 at the age of 71.
He was husband to Adrian Axtell Lindquist; father to David Peary Lindquist II, Jeffrey Vaughn Lindquist, and Rebecca Louise Lindquist Slaybaugh; father-in-law to Neelam Lindquist, Marvin Rodriguez, and Josh Slaybaugh; grandfather to Jemma Lindquist, Jude Slaybaugh, Max Slaybaugh and Gracie Lindquist; and brother to Eric A. Lindquist, Earnest W. Lindquist and Martha L. Burke.  
He grew up in Atglen, where he graduated from the Octorara School District, spent four years in the Air Force during the Vietnam War, and then finished his studies at West Chester University. He returned to his home school district of Octorara, where he taught for 30 years.
His passion for music showed in his love of the tuba, as organist at several churches -- including many years at his home church of Penningtonville Presbyterian -- and as a member of the Rotary Club, where he played piano faithfully for many years. He was a born teacher, touching the lives of many children, and children's children, where he encouraged everyone to "exercise their intellectual curiosity."  
Peary believed in the magic of Santa Claus, and his impressive collection was featured in several newspaper stories and historic town tours. He will be affectionately known as the Santa Guy to many people. He was the epitome of a gentleman and a proud 50-year member of Penningtonville Presbyterian Church in Atglen, and associate member of First Presbyterian Church in Lancaster.
A memorial service will be held on April 25 at 2 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church (140 E Orange St., Lancaster), with visitation from 1 to 2 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Hospice and Community Care of Lancaster and the Organ Fund at Penningtonville Presbyterian Church, Atglen, PA. Online condolences can be posted at www.wildefuneralhome.com.