Skip to main content

Chester County Press

Obituaries for the week of Dec. 28

12/28/2015 01:17PM ● By J. Chambless

BRIAN R. AYLLON

Brian R. Ayllon, 16, of Kennett Square, passed away on Dec. 22 at the Jennersville Regional Hospital.

Brian was born in West Chester, the son of Roberto and Maricela Avila Ayllon. He was an 11th grade student at Kennett High School, where he was a member of the a capella choir and the marching band. He was a member of FARGO and the Win program. He enjoyed writing, playing the flute, singing, and playing video games.

In addition to his parents, he is survived by one brother, Edson Ayllon of Kennett Square; and one sister, Kassandra Ayllon of Kennett Square.

A funeral was held Dec. 29. Burial will be at 10 a.m. Dec. 30 at St. Patrick’s Cemetery in Kennett Square. In memory of Brian, a contribution may be made to the Friends of Music, c/o Kennett High School, 100 E. South Street, Kennett Square, PA 19348. To leave a message of condolence, visit www.griecocares.com.

JANE E. SNYDER

Jane E. Snyder, 79, of Kennett Square, passed away on Dec. 22 at the Wilmington Hospital.

She was the wife of Ralph R. Snyder, who passed away in 1991. Born in Sylvatus, Va., she was the daughter of the late Elijah and Lula Rebecca Pugh Harden. Jane worked as an assembler at Pepperidge Farms for 30 years, retiring in 1998. She was a member of the New Life Fellowship in Elkton, Md. She enjoyed grocery shopping, going out to eat with her friends, going to church, doing word puzzles, cooking for her family, and being with her family and friends.

She is survived by one son, Ralph Snyder and his wife Deborah of Kennett Square; one daughter, Tracie Wallace and her husband David of Wilmington, Del.; and one grandson, Matthew Snyder. She was predeceased by one brother, Roy Lee Harden; and three sisters, Norma Stidoms, Merle Harden Stewart and Wanda Harden.

A funeral was held Dec. 29. Burial was in Union Hill Cemetery in Kennett Square. Online condolences may be made by visiting www.griecocares.com.

RONALD L. PREWITT

Ronald “Ronnie” L. Prewitt, 70, passed away peacefully at his Oxford home early on Christmas morning.

Ronnie had many loves in his life, including the town of Oxford, where he was the last of his siblings to be born in their Oxford family home in 1945. He was born to the late Ivory and Arvilla (nee Lutman) Prewitt, and with the exception of his time with the Delaware National Guard (1968-1970), Ronnie lived and completed his life in Oxford. He was born in Oxford, went to school in Oxford, was a longtime Oxford general contractor, worked at the Peoples Bank in town, and retired from the Oxford Borough Maintenance Department in 2007.

While Ronnie was known to be a hard-worker, he didn’t lose sight of some of the things that make life worth living: hunting, fishing, crabbing, and (weather permitting) snowmobiling.

While he had many loves, his greatest love was that for his wife, Stephanie (nee Narcisi) Prewitt, with whom he shared 15 years of marriage and even longer together. Together, they joined the congregation of the Wesley Church in Quarryville and remained active with it until Ronnie’s recent passing.

Ronnie is survived by his loving wife; and three brothers, Richard D. Prewitt (Annabelle) and Robert A. Prewitt (Flossie), all of Oxford, and Rodney G. Prewitt (Deb) of Quarryville. He was preceded in death by his sister, Norma Jean Bartram.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Dec. 31 at the Edward L. Collins, Jr. Funeral Home, Inc. (86 Pine St., Oxford), where friends may visit on Wednesday from 6 to 8 p.m. and Thursday from 10 to 11 a.m. Interment will be in Oxford Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to Wesley Church, P.O. Box 364, Quarryville, PA 17566. Visit www.elcollinsfuneralhome.com.

BETTY JANE LLOYD

Betty Jane Lloyd, 64, of Oxford, passed away surrounded by love on Dec. 24 at her home.

She was the wife of the late Russell A. Lloyd. Born in West Grove, she was the daughter of Stella May Steele Pierce of Oxford and the late Ernest Stanley Pierce, Sr. Betty retired from the Oxford United Methodist Church as the secretary. She was formerly employed as a LPN at Kendal at Longwood and Jennersville Regional Hospital in West Grove. She was a faithful member of the Oxford United Methodist Church, where she taught Sunday school and shared her gifts in various ministries. She enjoyed reading, and loved to spend time with her family.

She is survived by her mother; two daughters, Lisa Summers (Troy) of Oxford, and Krystal Spohn (Keith) of West Chester; two grandchildren, Dakota Summers and Kinsey Summers; and two sisters, Beverly Bove (Chris) of Landenberg, and Laura Lindsey (Bruce) of Oxford. She was preceded in death by a brother, Ernest Pierce, Jr.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Dec. 30 at the Oxford United Methodist Church (18 Addison St., Oxford), where friends may visit from 10 to 11 a.m. Interment will be in Oxford Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to Oxford United Methodist Church, 18 Addison St., Oxford, PA 19363; or the Adult Care of Chester County, 500 Old Forge Lane, Suite 503, Kennett Square, PA 19348. Visit www.elcollinsfuneralhome.com.

JUAN LOPEZ VILLAGOMEZ

Juan Lopez Villagomez, 22, of Toughkenamon, passed away on Dec. 23 at his residence.

Born in Moroleon, GTO, Mexico, he was the son of Juan Lopez Carrillo and Graciela Villagomez Guzman. He was a 2010 graduate of Kennett High School, and a member of St. Rocco’s Catholic Church. He was a strong man, always thinking about his family. He was a happy boy all the time, making everyone smile. He was a friendly person.

In addition to his parents, Juan is survived by five brothers, Jose Guadalupe Lopez Villagomez, Lorenzo Lopez Villagomez, Javier Lopez Villagomez, Jesus Lopez Villagomez and Alejandro Lopez Villagomez, all of Toughkenamon; and one sister, Graciela Lopez Villagomez of Wilmington, Del.

A visitation with family and friends will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. Dec. 30 at St. Rocco Catholic Church (333 Sunny Dell Rd., Avondale). His funeral mass will follow at 7 p.m. Burial will be in Mexico. Online condolences may be made by visiting www.griecocares.com.

LILLIAN A. McMAHON

Lillian A. McMahon, 86, of West Grove, passed away on Dec. 23 at Brandywine Senior Living in Kennett Square.

She was the wife of Norman C. McMahon, who passed away in 2011, and with whom she shared 60 years of marriage. Born in Chatham, Pa., she was the daughter of the late Clarence and Hazel Prange Aberts. She was a member of the West Grove United Methodist Church. She enjoyed collecting antiques and quilts, refinishing furniture, working in her flower garden, and being with her family and friends.

She is survived by one daughter, Sally Murphy and her husband Mike of Lincoln University; and one sister, Mary Lou Lindecamp of West Chester.

A funeral was held Dec. 29. In memory of Lillian, a contribution may be made to the West Grove United Methodist Church, 300 North Guernsey Road, West Grove, PA 19390. Online condolences may be made by visiting www.griecocares.com.

GAIL MCNEILLY LEAVENS

Gail McNeilly Leavens, a longtime resident of Landenberg, died on Dec. 24 at the Twin Pines Healthcare Center in West Grove.

She was born in 1939 in Montclair, N.J., the daughter of Dorothy Douw Roberts and John Stewart McNeilly, Jr. She attended Connecticut College for Women from 1957-1959 and was married from 1958-1978. Gail was predeceased by her son, Alexander Leavens; and is survived by her brother, David McNeilly; and two grandsons, Miles Leavens and Sloan Leavens.

Gail spent many summers on Martha’s Vineyard. During her time in New England, she helped to establish the mineral collection display at Harvard University’s Museum of Natural History and worked in various capacities with the Audubon Society. Gail studied birds in many locations in the Western Hemisphere, including Alaska, California, and the Caribbean Islands. Horses and equestrian activity held a prominent place for most of her life. She taught riding lessons, and enjoyed fox hunting and trail riding in Fair Hill. During one of her summers on Martha’s Vineyard, she taught folksinger James Taylor to ride. Gail was an avid naturalist and ornithologist, with vast knowledge of animals and their habitats, seasonal migration patterns, and multi-generational families of geese and vultures. She was active in wildlife and habitat protection efforts in this region.

She will be buried on her property, on Appleton Road in Landenberg, on Dec. 29.

TIMOTHY P. REILLY

Timothy Patrick Reilly, 48, of West Grove, passed away on Dec. 27 at his residence, after a courageous battle with cancer.

Tim was married to the love his life, Michelle, and together spent more than 16 years working as a team, sharing values of home and family in all they did. They have two wonderfully talented and strong children, Jack Schuh Reilly and Layne Gillian Reilly, who made him proud each and every day. Tim will be especially missed as a dedicated husband and father. He was blessed to have made many lasting memories with his children, including family vacations, camping adventures with Jack, watching Layne share her gift of dance, and most importantly the many hours they spent together, cooking delicious meals for family and friends.

Tim shared his passion for his job at Exelon Nuclear, watching the Cowboys through good and bad seasons, a love of the excitement of NASCAR and 1980s dance moves with the kids.

Tim is survived by his wife, Michelle Schuh Reilly; and his children, Jack and Layne. He is also remembered by his parents, Tom and Cathy Reilly; and his siblings and their families: Margie (sister), Todd, Annie and Jonathan Seagers and Tom (brother), Susan, Maddy and Daniel Reilly. He is also loved by his in-laws, David and Sharon Schuh, Michael, Abbie and Ally Schuh. Countless wonderful aunts, uncles, cousins and friends will carry his memories each day as well. Tim will be sadly missed by his furry friend, Livvy. He was preceded in death by his maternal and paternal grandparents; and his faithful canine sidekick, Gracie.

Friends and relatives are encouraged to celebrate Tim’s life from 8 to 9:45 a.m. on Jan. 2, 2016 at Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church (300 State Rd., West Grove). His funeral mass will follow at 10 a.m. Burial will be private. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Timothy Reilly Memorial Fund, c/o WSFS Bank, 100 Old Forge Lane, Kennett Square, PA 19348, to be used for his children’s college fund. To leave an online condolence, visit www.griecocares.com.