John H. Ware IV, 73, of Oxford, died on May 28 in his home, surrounded by his family and friends.   

He is survived by three daughters, Karen Ware of Potomac, Md., Nancy Ware Sapp of Lititz, Pa., and Debra Kline of Pequea, Pa.; ten grandchildren; his brother Paul Ware; and sisters Marilyn Ware and Carol Ware.  He was predeceased by his son, John Charles.  

Born in 1941 in Philadelphia, he was the son of the late Marian Snyder Ware of Lansdowne and the late John H. Ware III of Oxford.  John attended Oxford Area High School, University of Pennsylvania, and Lincoln University.  He worked for Penn Fuel Gas Company of Oxford, served on the board of American Water Works, and was active in local organizations including the West Nottingham Township supervisors, Oxford Borough Council, and the Oxford Senior Center. John was an active member of the Oxford Foundation, and later founded the Oxford Area Foundation. He was a Boy Scout in his youth and was later a troop leader in Nottingham. He was a lifelong member of the Oxford Presbyterian Church.

John was committed to philanthropy and devoted much of his time to making Oxford a strong and wonderful community for all who live there. He had a strong interest in politics and education, along with an unforgettable sense of humor.

A visitation with the family will be held at Oxford Presbyterian Church on July 2 from 4 to 6 p.m., followed by a memorial service. Memorial donations can be made in lieu of flowers to the Oxford Civic Association, P.O. Box 34, Oxford, PA 19363-0034; or the National Kidney Foundation, 30 East 33rd Street, New York, NY 10016. Online condolences can be made at [email protected].

Joseph Robert Stay, 60, of Nottingham, passed away suddenly on June 1 at his home. 

He was the loving husband of Karen Elser Stay for 34 years, and better known to family and friends as “Smiling Joe Stay.” Joe was born in Plattsburg, N.Y. He was the son of the late Clarence and Anne Balducci Stay. He was formerly employed by Collingdale Mill Work and Davis Lumber. He was a member of Christ Church at the Grove, New London. He had a strong faith in God. Joe was a devoted father and Granpa. He loved his family and shared in each of his children’s special interests, including music and the joy of nature. He was a huge sports enthusiast and was a great supporter of his sons' passion for hockey. He spent countless hours watching them play. 

He is survived by his wife; four children, Jessica Stay and Joseph Stay, both at home, Nicholas Stay of Colorado, and Adam Stay, also at home. He loved his only granddaughter, Sunna Ruhl, who he had the great pleasure of spending many hours with. He was the oldest of seven. He is survived by his four brothers, Mark (Liz) Stay of Florida, Randy Stay (Jo) of Florida, Scott Stay of Texas and Bruce Stay of New Jersey; and two sisters, Sue Ellen Castellanos (Jose) of Texas, and Anne Marie Hurley (Bob) of Florida. 

Funeral services were held June 6. Online condolences may sent at www.elcollinsfuneral home.com. The family is requesting that in lieu of flowers, donations for Joe’s youngest son and granddaughter’s living expenses and future college funds be sent to Collins Funeral Home (86 Pine St., Oxford, PA 19363).

Mary Lewis Logan Ross ended her courageous journey with Alzheimer’s disease in the early morning hours of June 3, surrounded by loved ones in her daughter’s home. 

She left this life with the same grace and dignity with which she lived her 84 years. She will be dearly missed and fondly remembered by family members and all those who had the pleasure of knowing her. She was preceded in death by her husband of 60 years, Robert N. Ross. Born in Havre de Grace, Md., she was the daughter of the late Wilmer and Margaret Anne Gatschall Logan. She was a member of the Oxford Presbyterian Church. She was employed for 28 years with Acme Markets in Rising Sun, Md., as a cashier, and retired in 1993. Mary enjoyed traveling, collecting antiques, and decorating her home. But she especially enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren and celebrating their many milestones. Even with her Alzheimer’s diagnosis, she always welcomed her family and friends with a warm smile. 

She is survived by two daughters, Betsy Bradford (David) of Cochranville, and Suzanne Peterson (Ronald) of Phoenixville; and six grandchildren, Lauren and Whitney Bradford, and Daniel (Emily), Ross, Emily Peterson Merow (Robert) and Logan Peterson; two sisters, Helen Astle (Norman) of Port Deposit, Md., and Margaret Anne Logan of Perryville, Md.  She is also survived by her devoted companion, Cuddles. 

The family would like to especially thank the staff of Brandywine River Valley Hospice for their support and encouragement in helping maintain their mother’s sense of family, comfort, and love. Funeral services were held June 8. Interment was in Oxford Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to Oxford Presbyterian Church, Ross Memorial Fund,  6 Pine St., Oxford, PA 19363. Online condolences may be made at www.elcollinsfuneralhome.com.

Florence Patricia “Pat” Rybinski, 77, of Oxford, died on June 2 at Neighborhood Hospice in West Chester.

She was the wife of Frank A. Rybinski, with whom she shared over 50 years of marriage. Born in Wilmington, Del., she was a daughter of the late James I. and the late Marie (Cann) Hamilton. Pat began her career at the Bank of Delaware. She loved being a wife, mother and friend.  She especially loved being a grandmother in recent years.  

Survivors include, in addition to her husband, one son, Craig Rybinski and his wife Margaret of Avondale; one daughter, Stephanie Crecco and her husband Keith of Kennett Square; one sister, Susan Mahala; three grandchildren, Bradley, Aidan and Megan; and several nieces and nephews.  

Services and interment were held privately. Contributions in her memory may be made to ALS Association, 321 Norristown Rd. Suite 260, Ambler, PA 19002.  To view her online tribute and to share a memory with her family, visit www.griecocares.com.

MARTEL WILCHER MONTGOMERY 

Martel Wilcher Montgomery, 84, of Kennett Square, passed away on June 3 at the Chester County Hospital. 

She was the wife of David Montgomery, the love of her life, who passed away in 2011, and with whom she shared 59 ½ years of marriage. Born in Chicago, Ill., she was the daughter of the late Julius and Lulu Mae Huff Wilcher, and grew up in the Princeton Park neighborhood. She attended Roosevelt College, and was a homemaker and an educational administrator. She was a past member of the Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom, and the League of Women Voters. She was a remarkable woman, who had many dear friends at Crosslands. An avid reader who enjoyed traveling, entertaining and taking care of others, she forged lasting bonds with people in many countries, including England, Belgium, France, Italy and Brazil. Most importantly, she was a devoted to her family, and a mentor to many people.

She is survived by two sons, Claude D. Montgomery and his wife Diane of Stamford, Conn., and Edward B. Montgomery and his wife Kari of Fulton, Md.; two brothers, Ogden Wilcher of Chicago, Ill., and Harold Wilcher of Chicago, Ill.; five grandchildren, Douglas, Nicholas, Lindsay, Elizabeth and Edward Julius; and many loving nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by two brothers, Reginald Wilcher and Donald Wilcher; three sisters, Patricia Brown, Carol Richmond and Sandra Tillman; and one grandson, Samuel Montgomery.

A memorial was held June 8. Burial was in Stamford Cemetery, Stamford, Conn. In lieu of flowers, a contribution may be made to the Doctors Without Borders, 333 7th Avenue, 2nd Floor, New York, NY 10001-5004; or to the  Southern Poverty Law Center, P.O. Box 2087, Montgomery, AL 36102. Online condolences may be made by visiting www.griecocares.com.