MINERVA Z. HOSTETLER

Minerva Z. Hostetler, 91, of Lincoln University, went home to be with the Lord and Savior she loved and served all her life on July 5.

She was the wife of the late N. Merle Hostetler, with whom she shared 44 years of marriage. Born in Chester, Pa., she was a daughter of the late George and the late Rebecca (Pyle) Zell. She was a registered nurse for doctors Hoobler and McKinstry in Kennett Square for many years. Her last employment was at Dr. Uzma Quraishi in Kennett Square. She also worked as a private duty nurse. She was a lifetime member of the First Baptist Church of Kennett Square. Most important in her life was her family, and her love for the Lord.

Survivors include two sons, Merle Hostetler Jr. (Evie) of West Liberty, Ohio, and George Hostetler (Cathy) of Lincoln University; one daughter, Becky Thompson of Coatesville; eight grandchildren, Erin, Denise, Ryan, Brice, Kevin, Heather, Samantha and George; and 15 great- grandchildren. She was predeceased by a sister, Ethel (Linda) John, in 2014.

A service was held July 11. Contributions in her memory may be made to the First Baptist Church of Kennett Square, C/O Deacon’s Fund, 415 W. State St., Kennett Square, PA 19348. To view her online tribute and to share a memory with her family, visit www.griecocares.com.

LAURA M. ENGLAND

Laura M. England, 79, of Toledo, Ohio, and formerly of Oxford, Pa., died on June 2 at Hospice of Northwest Ohio.

Born near Cream in Lower Oxford Township, she was the youngest of the 13 children of the late R. Ross and Erma Smith England. She graduated from Oxford High School, Class of 1953. She was employed as a legal secretary/paralegal and retired from State Farm Insurance Companies. She was an avid and experienced gardener, and enjoyed reading, quilting, knitting and other needlework. She was interested in genealogy and had compiled and published the history of her mother’s ancestors to their arrival in 1683 in Philadelphia.

She is survived by her two daughters, Lynda M. Oros of Toledo, Ohio, and Leslie M. Greifinger of Marietta, Ga.; two grandsons, Jacob and Micah Greifinger; siblings, Verna E. Kirk, John M. England and Myra E. Ferguson; many nephews, great-nephews, nieces and great-nieces. She was predeceased by brothers, Roger R. England, Leroy W. England, Donald I. England, Willard L. England and Floyd N. England; sisters, Doris E. Reisler, Ethel E. Wiggins, Hilda E. Jones and Vera L. England; and son, Peter A. Oros, Jr.

The family will receive guests from noon to 2 p.m. on July 20 at the Edward L. Collins, Jr. Funeral Home, Inc. (86 Pine St., Oxford). The memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Interment will be at Rose Bank Cemetery, Calvert, Md. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the charity of the donor’s choice. Online condolences may be made at www.elcollinsfuneralhome.com.

ROBERT F. MANCILL II

Robert F. Mancill II passed away peacefully at the Pocopson Home on July 5.
Born in 1924 in Wilmington, Del., he was the son of the late Norman B. and Anna Marshall Mancill of Mendenhall, brother of the late Norman Mancill, and twin brother Alan Mancill. He attended Wilmington Friends School, the George School in Newtown, and graduated from Lehigh University in 1949. Robert and his twin brother Alan served in the U.S. Army, 12th Armored Division from 1943 to 1945, where Alan was killed and Bob taken prisoner of war. Robert married Janet McGrath in1958 at Christ Church in Wilmington, Del. He was the proprietor of Mancill's Hobby and Photo Shop in downtown Kennett Square for 30 years. He was also a member of the Kennett Lions Club for many years. Robert was a quiet man, a talented photographer, an avid reader, and a lifelong sports fan, especially baseball. He enjoyed spending time with his family, Sunday drives along the Brandywine River, and entertaining on the back patio in the summers.

He was the loving husband of the late Janet M. Mancill. He is survived by his sons James B. Mancill and his wife Lynn of Hilton Head Island, S.C., Thomas M. Mancill and his wife Barbara of Kennett Square, and Robert F. Mancill III of Pike Creek, Del.; and grandchildren Ashley, Alexandria, Clayton, Travis, Harrison, and Chase; and former daughter-in-law Laura Lynch and her daughter Rachel.

A visitation with family and friends will be held from 4 to 5 p.m. on July 16 at the Kuzo & Grieco Funeral Home Inc. (250 W. State St., Kennett Square). A Quaker memorial service celebrating his life will follow at 5 p.m. Interment will be held privately before the visitation. Memorial contributions in his memory may be made to the Pocopson Home, 1695 Lenape Road, West Chester, PA 19382. To view his online tribute and to share a memory with his family, visit www.griecocares.com.

PAUL JOSEPH COSGROVE, JR.

Paul Joseph Cosgrove, Jr., 90, of West Chester, passed away on July 6.

Son of Paul J. Cosgrove, Sr., and Miriam Reidenbach Cosgrove, Paul devoted most of his time painting scenes of Chester County, New England, and the Southwest. In addition, he explored modern art techniques. He was drafted in his senior year from St. Agnes High School. During World War II, he served in the U.S. Navy at Panama as Pharmacist Mate 3rd Class. He received the American Theatre and Victory medals. After graduating with a BS from Pennsylvania State University, Paul was employed at Shaw's Hatchery and Wyeth Laboratories. He was a member of St. Agnes Church and the Knights of Columbus.

Paul is survived by brothers John and William of West Chester; and sister Alice of Warren, of Ohio. He was predeceased by his wife, Anne Mullin Cosgrove; brothers, Robert, Eugene, and Richard; and son, Joseph P. Cosgrove. He is survived by seven children, Melinda of Lincoln University, Mark of Wyndmoor, Timothy of Absecon, N.J., Lois of Trenton, N.J., Thomas of Elverson, Paul J. III of Kennett Square, and Peter of Christiana; seven grandchildren, Tina, Desiree, T. Christopher, Peter, Evyn, Paul J. IV, and Cory; and one great-granddaughter, Adrienne.

A funeral was held July 11. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimers Association, 399 Market St., Suite 102, Philadelphia, PA 19106. To view an online tribute, visit www.griecocares.com.

ERMA S. SINGER

Erma S. Singer, 79, was called to heaven on July 9 at Garden Spot Village in New Holland, Pa.

She lived much of her life in Kennett Square. She was the wife of P. Jay Singer, with whom she shared 59 years of marriage. Born in 1935, she was the daughter of the late Granville and Belloneida Benjamin Stephens. Erma was a 1953 graduate of Kennett High School, and was employed for many years at Kendal at Longwood in the personnel department. She was a member of Hamorton United Methodist Church for over 50 years. Erma loved her family, especially her grandchildren. She was devoted to her faith and her many friends. She was active in Cub Scouts and her monthly card club. Along with her husband, she enjoyed traveling and camping, especially post-retirement trips to Alaska, the western United States, and Europe.

In addition to her husband, she is survived by, and will be deeply missed by, her daughter Jaye Ann Hostetler (Rick) of Oxford; and sons Joe (Margaret) of Landisville, Pa., Jeff (Roxana), and Jerry (Sandi), both of Kennett Square; as well as nine grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren; her sister, Peg Wade of Boynton Beach, Fla., and brother, Larry Stephens of Unionville; and many nieces and nephews.

A funeral was held July 13. A memorial service will be held at a later date at Garden Spot Village. In lieu of flowers, a contribution may be made to Garden Spot Village, 433 S. Kinzer Avenue, New Holland, PA 17557; or to the Hamorton United Methodist Church, 1052B E. Baltimore Pike, Kennett Square, PA 19348; or Rancks United Methodist Church, 700 Ranck Road, New Holland, PA 17557. Online condolences may be made by visiting www.griecocares.com.

MABEL COOK ROMANOWSKI

Mabel Cook Romanowski, 85, of Oxford, and formerly of Jennersville, passed away on July 6 at Ware Presbyterian Village in Oxford.

Born in West Chester, she was the daughter of the late Francis Christopher Cook and Bessie Cole Cook Cheney. She was a member of West Grove United Methodist Church and Alcoholics Anonymous.

Mabel enjoyed gardening, cooking, knitting and handcrafts.

She is survived by one daughter, Barbara R. Goodman (Roy G.) of Kempton; one son, Robert J. Romanowski, Jr. (Donna R.) of West Grove; three grandchildren, Valerie Daly and Robert J. Romanowski, III and Georgia Kee Goodman; three great-grandchildren, Meghan Daly, Patrick Daly and Taylor Rae Romanowski; and one sister, Mary Moore of South Carolina. She was preceded in death by a daughter, Bobbie Lee Romanowski.

A memorial service will be held on a later date. Interment will be private. In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to Ware Presbyterian Village Employee Appreciation Fund, 7 E. Locust St., Oxford, PA 19363. Online condolences may be made at www.elcollinsfuneralhome.com.

TERRANCE C. PURCELL

Terrance C. Purcell, 87, of Oxford, passed away peacefully at his daughter’s home in Oxford on July 11.

He was the husband of the late Betty Wood Purcell, with whom he shared 59 years of marriage. He served in the Army Air Force during World War II. Born in East Nottingham Township, he was the son of the late John and Rose Aberts Purcell. Terry was an avid fisherman and bow hunter, and loved the game of golf. He retired after 42 years as a meat cutter with Acme Markets. Terry enjoyed his family and friends.

He is survived by his daughter, Teresa Carrigan of Oxford; two grandsons, Jeffrey A. (Tara) of Quarryville, and David A. of Oxford; three great-grandchildren, Jekelle, Hector and Idalis; sister, Jean Brown; and his much appreciated caregiver, Ada Prigg.

A graveside service with full military honors will be held at 10 a.m. July 15 at Oxford Cemetery (220 N. 3rd St., Oxford). In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in his memory to the Union fire Co. No. 1 Ambulance Division, 315 Market St., Oxford, PA 19363. Online condolences may be made at www.elcollinsfuneralhome.com.