BRENDA P. SWINEHART

Brenda P. Swinehart, 69, passed away at her home on Nov. 26.

Brenda was the loving wife of Paul L. Swinehart, Jr., for 48 years. They were married in 1967 at the Middle Octorara Presbyterian Church. Brenda was born in West Grove in 1945, a daughter of the late William C. and Anna Brown Pugh. She enjoyed life on the Pugh farm, cooking, planting, canning, gardening and sewing, along with a full house of family and friends.

Brenda is lovingly remembered by her daughters Melissa Swinehart of Virginia Beach, Va., Christine Smithson of Quarryville, and son Paul L Swinehart III of Quarryville; her three grandsons, Tyler and Taylor Smithson, Paul L Swinehart IV, and granddaughter Elizabeth Swinehart; her sister, Sharon Dutton, and brother Alan Pugh. In Lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to The Alzheimer's Association (www.alz.org). Arrangements are by Reynolds Funeral and Cremation Services, Inc. (www.reynoldsfuneralhome.net).

CHARLOTTE WHITESIDE ADAMS

Charlotte Whiteside Adams, 88, of Kirkwood, passed away on Nov. 28.

She was the widow of the late William F. Adams, Jr., who passed away in 1978. She was born in Kirkwood, a daughter of the late Norman E. and Beatrice I. Montgomery Whiteside. Charlotte was a 75-year active member of Union Presbyterian Church. She loved her family and was loved by all. She doted on her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was known as an excellent cook and baker, and her house was always filled with cakes, puddings, and pies. She hosted countless family dinners, and was always the first to welcome any guest with food or drink.

She is survived by two children, Cheryl Whiteside Fuller of Kirkwood, and Randy Adams (Sharon) of Kirkwood; grandchildren Kristin Welcome, Matthew Adams, Bradley Fuller, Megan A. Overly; great-grandchildren Brooke Adams, and Thomas Welcome; and her sister, Janet (Rodger) Cline, of Kirkwood. She was predeceased by three brothers, Vernon E., Robert N., and William G. Whiteside.

A funeral service was held Dec. 2. Burial will be in the Union Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the Union Presbyterian Church. Arrangements are by Reynolds Funeral and Cremation Services, Inc. (www.reynoldsfuneralhome.net).

PEARL IRENE BLADEN

Pearl Irene Bladen, 98, of Avondale, passed away on Nov. 29 at Twin Pines Nursing Health Care Center.

Her first husband, Richard “Joseph” J. Bladen, with whom she shared 52 years of marriage, passed away in 1990. Her second husband, Donald William Brown, passed away in 2006. Born in Ijamsville, Md., she was the daughter of the late James E Foreman and Irene Bowman Foreman. Pearl was a building supervisor at the West Chester University for 19 years, retiring in 1982. She was a member of the Supreme Council of the House of Jacob, USA, Inc., the Kennett Area Senior Center, Stitch and Time Club of Delaware, and the Kennett Square Auxiliary No. 2 of the Chester County Hospital. She enjoyed cooking, traveling, helping other people, and being with her family and friends.

Pearl is survived by one son, Dennis E. Bladen and his wife Joyce of Newark, Del.; one stepdaughter, Donna Cotto and her husband Angel of Melbourne, Fla.; one sister, Betty Ann Gwynn of Wilmington, Del.; five grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; and four Godchildren. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews, many of whom she raised. She was predeceased by three sisters, Dorothy Foreman, Annie Foeman, and Margaret Hill.

A funeral was held Dec. 5. Burial was in Rolling Green Memorial Park in West Chester. In lieu of flowers, contribution may be made to the Supreme Council of the House of Jacob, USA, Inc., PO Box 310, Coshocton, OH 43812. Online condolences may be made by visiting www.griecocares.com.

JACK R. JOHNSON

Jack R. Johnson, 83, of Kennett Square, passed away on Nov. 26 at the Christiana Hospital.

He was the husband of Michale Barwell Johnson, with whom he shared 58 years of marriage. Born in Rosedale, Pa., he was the son of the late S. Frank and Mabel McMillan Johnson. He was an electrical motor repairman at Robert S. Swanson and Son in Kennett Square for 40 years, retiring in 1993. He served his country in the US Army. He was a former member of the VFW in Kennett Square. He enjoyed bowling, the Flyers and Eagles, and being with his family and friends.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by one daughter, Karen Mento (Benjamin) of Coatesville; two sons, John Johnson of Kennett Square, and Steven Johnson of Oxford; three brothers, Bill Johnson of Jennersville, Bernard Johnson of West Chester, and David Johnson of Landenberg; 14 grandchildren; and 15 great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by three sons, Michael Johnson, Thomas Johnson and Kenneth Johnson; and one sister, Alexa Riale.

A funeral was held Dec. 5. In lieu of flowers, a contribution may be made to Michale Johnson, c/o 514 D Street, Kennett Square, PA 19348. Online condolences may be made by visiting www.griecocares.com.

ROBERT L. GILBERT

Robert (Bob) L. Gilbert, 83, of West Grove, died peacefully at his home on Nov. 30.

He was the husband of the late Margaret Irene Gilbert. Born in Oxford, he was the son of the late Roy and Helen Jeffers Gilbert. Bob lived in West Grove all his life. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army and served as Corporal in the Korean War from 1952 to 1954. He was a retired truck driver for Penn Supreme. Bob was also employed with Abernathy Trash Removal, BFI Waste Management, and owned and operated Chatham Lunch. He was a member of the Four Square Gospel Church in Oxford, and the Western Clinton County Sportsman Association. He enjoyed his time hunting and fishing at his family cabin in Clinton County. He also enjoyed watching NASCAR and was an avid Philadelphia Eagles fan.

He is survived by his six children, Stanley Doss (Donna) of Kelton, Sheila Marrone (Albert) of Oxford, Rodger Gilbert (Debra) of Rising Sun, Md., Ronald Gilbert (Ruth Ann) of West Grove, Kenneth Gilbert (Christine) of Lincoln University, and Timothy Gilbert (Kimberly) of West Grove;16 grandchildren;26 great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; one brother, Fred W. Gilbert (Ester) of Newark Valley, N.Y.; numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by a sister, Elizabeth G. Mace; and a great-granddaughter, Kierra N. Gilbert.

A funeral was held Dec. 5. Interment was in New London Presbyterian Cemetery. Online condolences may be made at www.elcollinsfuneralhome.com.

MARK S. SELDOMRIDGE

Mark S. Seldomridge, 61, of Hockessin, Del., passed away on Dec. 1 at his residence.

He was the husband of Nancy Zilke Seldomridge, with whom he shared 11 years of marriage. Born in Wilmington, Del., he was the son of Dorothy Snyder Seldomridge of Kennett Square, and the late Richard Seldomridge. Mark was a production operator at Valero Energy in Delaware City, Del., retiring in 2010 after 20 years of service. He was a member of the First Baptist Church of Kennett Square. He enjoyed working in his yard, cooking, traveling, and being with his family and friends.

In addition to his wife and mother, he is survived by two daughters, Allison Antonio and her husband Anthony of Jupiter, Fla., and Amanda Seldomridge of Elkton, Md.; one stepson, Michael Kreps and his wife Brandy of Alexandria, Va.; one brother, Gary Seldomridge and his wife Diane of New Castle, Del.; one sister, Diane Leone and her husband Jeffrey of Charlotte, N.C.; four grandchildren, Kelsie, Grace, Macey and Kennan; five nieces, Katlyn, Heidi, Marianne, Makayla and Maya; and one nephew, Joseph.

A funeral was held Dec. 5. Burial was at the Longwood Cemetery in Kennett Square. In memory of Mark, a contribution may be made to the First Baptist Church of Kennett Square (415 W. State St., Kennett Square, PA 19348). Online condolences may be made by visiting www.griecocares.com.

DALE H. REBURN

Dale H. Reburn, 64, of Nottingham, passed away on Dec. 1 at his home.

He was the husband of Maryann Szubielski Reburn. Born in West Grove, he was the son of the late Howard Alexander and Frances Marie Roney Reburn. Dale, a lifetime resident of Oxford and Nottingham, was a dairy farmer in Lower Oxford Township most of his life. He was a former member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles Aerie No. 2666, Oxford. Dale enjoyed hunting. He loved his family, especially his grandchildren.

He is survived by his wife; son Jeffrey D. Reburn and his wife Kate of Oxford; daughter Jennifer L. Reburn of Coatesville; and two grandchildren, Phillip Alexander Reburn and Sullivan Cole Reburn.

A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Dec. 12 at the Edward L. Collins, Jr. Funeral Home Inc. (86 Pine St., Oxford), where friends and family may visit from 1 to 2 p.m. Interment is private. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to the American Diabetes Association, P.O. Box 11454, Alexandria, VA 22312. Online condolences may be made at www.elcollinsfuneralhome.com.

WILLIAM A. RHODES, JR.

William “Dusty” A. Rhodes, Jr., 95, of Avondale, died on Nov. 29 at the Atlantic Regional Medical Center in Pomona, N.J., while visiting his daughter.

Born in Kingston, Pa., he was a son of the late William A. Rhodes Sr., and the late Louise Isaac Rhodes. Dusty proudly served our country during World War II in the Navy as a radio operator on the Catalina PBY sea patrol planes. He was a self-employed watchmaker for many years, and a technician for Hewlett Packard, retiring in the early 90s. He was also a bus driver for a couple of years for the Kennett Square School District. He was a lifetime member and was also the chaplain of the Hockessin VFW, member of the Kennett Area Senior Center and the Calvary Baptist Church. He enjoyed gardening, writing poetry, the outdoors, and especially spending time with his friends and family. He enjoyed saying tongue twisters, telling stories of his "hobo" days, and getting a bargain. He also posed for several local artists and sculptors. He enjoyed taking art classes at the Luther House and very much enjoyed meeting new people.

Survivors include three sons, William A. III (Leslee) of Tucson, Ariz., Jeff of Oxford, and Raymond (Sue) of Wilmington, Ill.; two daughters, Cindy Lieb (Tony) of Galloway, N.J., and Colleen Stanczak (Ken) of Kennesaw, Ga.; 10 grandchildren, Carson (Cheryl), Jeff Jr, Nathan, Valerie (Jason), Vincent (Melissa), Keith, Kevin, Tommy and Christina; six great-grandchildren, Justice, Mark, Kristen, Vanessa, Jessica and Daniel; one brother, Paul of Potter County, Pa.; and one sister, Margaret Anthony of Hanover, Mass.; and many nieces and nephews.

A funeral was held Dec. 7. Interment was in Longwood Cemetery. Contributions in his memory may be made to Calvary Baptist Church, 218 Ellicott Rd., Avondale, PA 19311; or to Pilgrim Academy, PO Box 322, Egg Harbor, NJ 08215. To share a memory with his family, visit www.griecocares.com.

JAMES E. CHAMBERLAIN

James E. Chamberlain, 60, of North East, Md., formerly of Oxford, passed away on Dec. 2 at Union Hospital in Elkton, Md.

Born in West Grove, he was the son of Joseph G. Chamberlain of Oxford and the late Gladys M. Kane Chamberlain. James was retired. He was employed as a general contractor with his father, Joseph G. Chamberlain, Inc. He enjoyed antiquing, restoring old homes, vacationing, loved his grandchildren and enjoyed family gatherings, especially his Christmas parties.

He is survived by his father, Joe, and stepmother, Beverly Chamberlain; daughter, Shannon Nicole Bolt (Jarred) of North East, Md.; son, Matthew James Chamberlain of Bear, Del.; three grandchildren, Mason, Madisson and Jackson Squitieri; brother, Joseph Chamberlain (Judy) of Oxford; and five sisters, Grace Montgomery (Rich) of Oxford, Glenda Patrick (Terry) of Oxford, Gloria Butler (Art) of Oxford, Gladys Swain of Elsmere, Del., and Georgie Espinoza of Bryn Mawr.

Funeral services were held Dec. 8. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to the Oxford United Methodist Church, 18 Addison St., Oxford, PA 19363. Online condolences may be made at www.elcollinsfuneralhome.com.

ELMER E. SALMONS

Elmer Edward Salmons, 90, of West Grove, formerly of Avondale, passed away peacefully, surrounded by family, on Dec. 3 at Pocopson Home.

He was born in 1925 in West Jefferson, N.C., the son of William & Lura Shaw Salmons. He grew up in Mountain City, Tenn., until he moved to southeast Pennsylvania around 1941. He was a hard worker, supporting his family and worked at Lenape Forge. He was also a painter for many years and retired in 2005 from Winterthur Museum in Greenville, Del.

He is survived by his wife June, with whom he celebrated 70 years of marriage on March 29. He was preceded in death by his son, Edward, who passed away in July 2008. Elmer’s surviving children are Fred (Carol) of Marietta, Ga.; Caroline Wyatt (Ned) of Kennett Square; Regina of Malvern; Don (Maria) of Lansdale; Gale Steele (George) of Lincoln University; Michael (Alvita) of York; Mark (Stephen Rifici) of West Grove; and Matthew (Kim) of Elm Grove, Wis. Also surviving him are 23 grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren, and two great-great-grandchildren.

Services will be private and held at a later date. Condolences can be sent to www.longwoodfuneralhome.com.

ANN MILLER KILBY

Ann Miller Kilby, 81, of Oxford, passed away unexpectedly on Dec. 5 at Jennersville Regional Hospital.

She was the loving wife of John R. Kilby, with whom she shared 62 years of marriage. Born and raised in Oxford, she was the daughter of the late Leslie and Sara Cazier Miller. Ann retired from Perry Point VA Hospital in 1996, after working for 46 years. She had the blessed gift of loving everyone and everything, and making every day beautiful. Family was her true passion in life.

She was the most endearing mother to Sally McIntyre (Tim) of Oxford and Mary Beth Kilby of Wilmington, Del. She was the sweetest grandmother to Ian McIntyre of Ocean View, Del., and Lindsay Eidson (Ethan) of Nottingham; and loving great-grandmother to Lyla Eidson. She is also survived by two loving sisters, Carole McComas and Sue Stanley, both of Oxford; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by a brother, Ray Miller; and a sister, Jayne Mattioni.

Services will be private. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Make-A-Wish Foundation, 5 Valley Square No. 210, Blue Bell, PA 19422. Visit www.elcollinsfuneralhome.com.

BETTY E. GERM

Betty “Penny” E. Germ, of West Grove, died on Dec. 4 at Jenners Pond Retirement community in West Grove.

She was the wife of the late Fred L. Germ, who died in 1997, and with whom she shared 47 years of marriage. Born in Lancaster, she was the daughter of the late Frank A. and the late Mabel (Sterneman) Martelli. She was an avid golfer and enjoyed dancing. Penny and her husband worked on committees for the Fraternal Order of Police and Knight of Columbus dances. They also spent many years helping with the Senior and Spaghetti dinners. She was also an active member of the Assumption BVM Church.

Penny is survived by two daughters, Diane Frezzo and her husband Mike of Avondale, and Patty Philips of West Grove; five grandchildren, Vincent, Angela (Kevin), Christine, Brian, Lisa (Todd); and one great-grandson, Evan.

A visitation with family and friends will be held from 10 to 10:45 a.m. Dec. 9 at Assumption BVM Catholic Church (300 State Rd., West Grove). Her mass of Christian burial will be at 11 a.m. at the church. Interment will be in Union Hill Cemetery. Contributions in her memory may be made to either Kennett Area Community Service or KACS, PO Box 1025, Kennett Square PA 19348; or to the Kennett Area Senior Center, 427 S. Walnut St., Kennett Square, PA 19348. To share a memory with Penny’s family, visit www.griecocares.com.

DONALD L. POOLE, SR.

Donald L. Poole, Sr., 82, of Unionville, passed away on Dec. 6 at his residence.

He was the husband of Shirley Allaband Poole, with whom he shared 63 years of marriage. Born in Lancaster County, he was the son of the late Onyx and Mary Alice Coates Poole. He was a farmer working for Edgar Scott in Unionville for 20 years, retiring in 2008. He had also worked for New Bolton Center and Landhope Farms. Don was a 50-year member of the First Baptist Church of Kennett Square, where he was a Deacon Emeritus. He enjoyed gardening, cooking, making fudge, cooking for the men’s breakfast at the First Baptist Church of Kennett Square, and enjoyed being with his family and friends.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by two sons, Donald L. Poole, Jr., and his wife Donna of West Grove, and Kenneth B. Poole and his wife Patricia of Nottingham; three daughters, Kathleen Allaband of Unionville, Donna Bogle and her husband George of West Grove, and Barbara J. West and her husband Joseph of Kennett Square; one brother, Robert Poole of Nottingham; three sisters, Nancy Poole Allaband of Nottingham, Betsy Tome of Rising Sun, Md., and Mary Jane Krimmer of Oxford; 13 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren.

A visitation with family and friends will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. On Dec. 11 at the Kuzo & Grieco Funeral Home (250 West State St., Kennett Square), and again from 10:30 to 11:30 on Saturday morning, Dec. 12, at the First Baptist Church of Kennett Square (415 W. State St., Kennett Square). His funeral service will follow at 11:30. Burial will be in the Unionville Cemetery. In memory of Don, a contribution may be made to the First Baptist Church of Kennett Square. To leave an online condolence, visit www.griecocares.com.