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Chester County Press

Obituaries for the week of Jan. 18

01/18/2016 01:39PM ● By J. Chambless

HELEN B. WYNN

Helen B. Wynn, 97, of Kennett Square, passed away at her residence on Jan. 10.

She was the wife of Earl Wynn who, passed away in 2009, and with whom she shared 45 years of marriage. Her first husband, T. Richard Thompson, with whom she shared 22 years of marriage, passed away in 1985. Born in Rosedale, Pa., she was the daughter of the late George and Ella Clough Buffington. She was a custodian at the Kennett High School for 12 years before retiring. She had previously worked at the Pocopson Home. Helen was a past member of the Kennett Fire Company. She enjoyed traveling, reading, listening to country music, needlework, and being with her family and friends.

Helen’s family would like to thank all the staff who cared for her from Willow Tree Hospice and Relative Care.

She is survived by one daughter, Joanne Lewis and her husband Tom of Cochranville; one son, Ronald W. Thompson of Kennett Square; two sisters, Ruth Barker and Betty Harkins, both of Kennett Square; one grandchild; and two great-grandchildren.

A funeral was held Jan. 13. Burial was in Union Hill Cemetery in Kennett Square. In memory of Helen, a contribution may be made to the Adult Care of Chester County, 500 Old Forge Lane, Suite 503, Kennett Square, PA 19348. Online condolences may be made by visiting www.griecocares.com.

HENRY RITTER WILSON

Henry Ritter Wilson (“Harry”) went to be with his Lord on Jan. 8.

Harry was born in 1923 at Lafayette’s Headquarters in Valley Forge, to Charles Davis Wilson, Sr., and Arlene Bull Wilson. As a boy, he worked on his family farm in Lionville. After graduating from Downingtown High School in 1941, he briefly attended West Chester State Teachers College before joining the Navy with his twin brother, Bill, in 1942. In the Navy he trained as a fighter pilot. After the war ended, he served in the Reserves until he was honorably discharged in 1961.

He married Jessie Ruth Hill in 1946. Harry was a dairy farmer in Southern Lancaster County for 25 years. For many years, along with farming, he owned and ran The Milk Barn, a dairy store in Oxford. As a hobby, he loved to fly. He and Ruth piloted their beloved Piper Cherokee and were active members of International Flying Farmers, where Harry held multiple positions. In 1980, he and Ruth moved to Sylva, N.C., where they ran Once Upon a Time Antiques. They later moved to Asheville, N.C., near their daughter, Dana Custer, and granddaughter, Kenda. After Ruth’s death in 1999, Harry remained in North Carolina until 2007. He then lived with his daughter, Judy Rossman, and her husband, Tim, and their children, Chelsey and Stevin, in Chesapeake, Va., for over three years, after which he moved to Pennsylvania and lived with his daughter, Beverly Wilson. Most recently, he lived at the Southeastern Veterans Center in Spring City.

Harry loved the Lord and was a lifelong member of Great Valley Presbyterian Church. His love of singing was obvious to those who sat near him in church. He would often break out into a favourite hymn, no matter where he was. And if you mentioned dancing, he would try to talk you into a waltz around the room.

Harry is survived by his twin brother, Bill Wilson; four daughters, Dana Custer, Beverly Wilson, Judy Rossman, and Roxy Scott; nine grandchildren, Kenda Custer, Rae Benson, Henry Ritter Wilson IV (“Rick”), Chelsey and Stevin Rossman, Will, Jessie, Michael and Natalie Scott; and seven great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife, Ruth Hill Wilson; his son, Henry Ritter Wilson III (“Corky”); and granddaughter, Deanna Lynn Wilson.

Relatives and friends are invited to celebrate Harry’s life at his funeral service on Feb. 6 at 10:30 a.m. at the Great Valley Presbyterian Church (2025 Swedesford Rd., Malvern, PA 19355). You may greet the family from 10 to 10:30 a.m. Interment will be at the cemetery behind the church, following the service. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Great Valley Presbyterian Church or Southeastern Veterans Center. Visit www.maugergivnish.com.

MARION SNYDER-HERRIN

Marion Snyder-Herrin, 82, of Oxford, passed away on Jan. 12 at Ware Presbyterian Village in Oxford.

She was the wife of the late Gilbert Herrin, and first husband Earl Snyder, Sr. Born in Principio Furnace, Md., she was the daughter of the late Richard C. Borden and Kathleen Hollister Borden Abrams. Marion was employed with the Kennett Square and Toughkenamon post office as a clerk, retiring in 1992 after 26 years of service. She was a member of the New London Baptist Church.

She is survived by two sons, John Smythe, Jr., of Oregon, and Earl Snyder, Jr., of Washington; nine stepchildren; 11 beloved grandchildren; two brothers, Gary Borden and Norris Abrams, both of Rising Sun, Md.; and sister, Marcia Murray of Rising Sun, Md. She was preceded in death by three sisters, Joyce Adams, Diane Reichert, and Lorraine Diamonte; one brother, Richard “Charles” Borden, Jr.; a stepchild; and grandson, Billy Snyder.

Funeral services were held Jan. 15. Interment was in Union Cemetery in Elkton, Md. In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to New London Baptist Church Building Fund, 226 Pennocks Bridge Rd., West Grove, PA 19390. Online condolences may be made at www.elcollinsfuneralhome.com.

PAUL L. SWINEHART

Paul L. Swinehart, Jr., 76, passed away in his home in Quarryville on Jan. 11.

Paul was preceded in death by his loving wife, Brenda P. Swinehart, of 48 years. They were married in 1967 at Middle Octorara Presbyterian Church. Paul was born in Lancaster, Pa., in 1939, a son of the late Paul L. Swinehart, Sr., and Della Marie Swinehart. He enjoyed a lifetime of farming, and spending time with his family and friends at his cabin in the mountains.

Paul is survived by his daughters, Melissa K. Swinehart of Virginia Beach, Va., Christine M. Smithson of Quarryville; his son, Paul L. Swinehart III of Quarryville; his three grandsons, Tyler S. Smithson, Taylor C. Smithson, and Paul L. Swinehart IV; a granddaughter, Elizabeth P. Swinehart; his sisters, Betty Lou Lindell, Patsy Ranck, Celene Swinehart; and a brother, Kenneth Swinehart.

A celebration of life was held Jan. 16. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association (alz.org). To send an online note of condolence, visit reynoldsfuneralhome.net.

BERNARD J. RADECKI, JR.

Bernard “Bo” J. Radecki, Jr., 56, of Avondale, died suddenly on Jan. 12 at his home in Avondale.

Born in Kingston, Pa., he was a son of Bernard and Frances (Henicheck) Radecki, Sr., of Avondale. Bo graduated from Wilkes University with a BS in accounting, and Goldey Beacom College with a BS in information technology. Bo was general manager for Pizza Hut in Wilmington Del. In his early years, he excelled as an athlete. He was a pitcher for the Howell High School baseball team in New Jersey, and was also the quarterback for the football team. He went on to pitch for Wilkes University. In 1972, he pitched, and helped win, the New Jersey State Little League title. He loved the outdoors, including fishing and hiking through the woods. He also loved canning, and was known for his pickles and tomatoes.

Survivors include, in addition to his parents, one daughter, Jennifer Shovlin (Jeff) of Tobyhanna, Pa.; one brother, Randall Radecki (Michele) of New London; one sister, Karen Olson (Randy) of Charlottesville, Va.; one granddaughter, Savannah; one grandson-to-be, Carter; and three nieces and nephews, Austen, Abigail and Jessica.

A funeral was held Jan. 21. Contributions in his memory may be made to the Brandywine River Museum C/O Director of Development, Brandywine Conservancy, P.O. Box 141, Chadds Ford, PA 19317. Condolences may be made at www.griecocares.com.

RUBY L. PROFFITT

Ruby L. Proffitt, 87, of West Grove, died on Jan. 14 at Jennersville Regional Hospital.

Born in Mountain City, Tenn., she was a daughter of the late Stacy and the late Emma Pearl (South) Proffitt. She was a housekeeper for Kendal-Crosslands Community, retiring in 1995. She enjoyed crossword puzzles, bingo, quilting and African violets.

Survivors include one daughter, Andrea Kay Zunino (Anthony, Sr.) of West Grove; two brothers, Clifton Proffitt and Larry Proffitt, both of Tennessee; one sister, Anna Marrongelli of West Grove; two grandsons, Anthony Zunino, Jr. (Carol and Gracie), and Mark Zunino (Beth); and four great-grandchildren, AnthonyIII, Daniel, Kristin, and Jackson.

A visitation with family and friends will be held at her graveside service at 11:30 a.m. Jan. 21 at St. Patrick Cemetery (460 N Union St., Kennett Square). Contributions in her memory may be made to St. Jude's Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105. To view her online tribute and to share a memory with her family, visit www.griecocares.com.

MARY O. GUERRINA

Mary O. Guerrina, 94, of Oxford, formerly of Avondale, passed away on Jan. 15 at Ware Presbyterian Village.

She was the wife of Louis E. Guerrina, who passed away in 2012, and with whom she shared 70 years of marriage. Born in Wilmington, Del., she was the daughter of the late Bartolomeo and Maria Baccino Olivieri. She was a homemaker, a very giving person who enjoyed cooking, gardening, painting, entertaining, and being with her family and friends. She was a member of St. Gabriel of the Sorrowful Mother Church in Avondale, and the Kennett Senior Center.

Mary is survived by two daughters, Marie Guerrina of Avondale, and Rita Tattersall and her husband Tom of Landenberg; one brother, Joe Olivieri of Avondale; two grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by one son, Louis E. Guerrina, Jr.; and one brother, Frank Olivieri.

A visitation with family and friends will be held from from 10 to 11 a.m. on Jan. 20 at St. Gabriel of the Sorrowful Mother Church (8910 Gap Newport Pike, Avondale). Her funeral mass will follow at 11 a.m. Burial will be in St. Patrick’s Cemetery in Kennett Square. In memory of Mary a contribution may be made to St. Gabriel of the Sorrowful Mother Church, PO Box 709, Avondale, PA 19311. Online condolences may be made by visiting www.griecocares.com.

INGEBORG JACK

Ingeborg Jack, 88, passed away peacefully in her sleep at Kendal at Longwood, in Kennett Square on Jan. 17.

Inge, as she liked to be called, was born in Stuttgart, Germany, but spent her adult years living in the USA, Belgium, Switzerland, and Thailand. Inge had a beautiful voice, and was often asked to sing by school and town officials. Before retiring, she worked for UNICEF in New York City. She helped establish two chapters of Amnesty International, and worked tirelessly supporting the work of her late husband, peace and human rights activist Homer Jack. Upon Homer’s passing, she devoted her time lobbying for children living in war-ravaged areas, and trying to eradicate the use of land mines (a cause she worked on with Diana, Princess of Wales). She was also concerned about global warming.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Homer Jack; her parents, Ernst and Auguste; a twin sister, Majella; a younger sister, Helma; as well as her beloved brother, Herbert. She leaves behind her daughter, Marianne, married to Chris Thatcher; as well as two other daughters, Renate and Sigrid; and five grandchildren, Annemarie (Georg), Mark (Jen),  Robert (Karoline), “Mac,” and Jasmine. She also has five great-grandchildren, Sophie, Alastair, Julian, Edward, and Emily. She is also survived by a sister, Majella Kolb.

The family would like to thank the staff at Kendal for welcoming Inge like a family member for the past ten years, and for the respect and loving care they gave her. A celebration of life is scheduled for 2 p.m. on Jan. 24 in the activities room at Kendal at Longwood (1109 E. Baltimore Pike, Kennett Square). Online condolences may be made by visiting www.griecocares.com.

DR. THORNTON ARTHUR VANDERSALL

Dr. Thornton Arthur “Van” Vandersall, 87, has died peacefully after a period of declining health.

He was born in Orbisonia, Pa., in 1928, the son of Muriel and Vernon Vandersall. He graduated from the College of Wooster (Ohio) in 1950 and received his M.D. degree from Jefferson Medical College in Philadelphia in 1954. He was trained in pediatrics at Bellevue Hospital and New York Hospital and in psychiatry and child psychiatry at St. Luke’s Hospital Center. After serving on the staffs of St. Luke’s and Roosevelt Hospitals in New York City, he initiated the child psychiatry program at North Shore University Hospital in Manhasset, N.Y., and served as director of the Department of Psychiatry there from 1974 to 1988. He later returned to work at North Shore for five more years in the consultation division of the psychiatry department, where he remained active in the training of psychiatric residents. Van also served on the faculty of Cornell University Medical College for over 20 years and attained the rank of Emeritus Professor of Clinical Psychiatry.

Van and his wife Jean (Hoerner) resided on Long Island in Huntington, N.Y., where they raised their three sons and lived together for over 50 years. He enjoyed reading, spending time outdoors, and travelling with his family to their summer home in Islesboro, Maine. Van was actively involved in his church, community, and several non-profit boards.

Van was predeceased by his wife of 54 years, Jean Hoerner Vandersall, in 2008. He is survived by his two sisters, Virginia Jackson of Warrington, Pa., and Amy Lou Vandersall of Boulder, Colo.; and his brother, David Vandersall of St. Simons Island, Ga.; as well as his three sons, Mark and his wife Laura of Jamison, Pa.; Kent and his wife Denise of Cincinnati, Ohio; and Scott and his wife Amy of West Dennis, Mass.; as well as seven grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

A celebration of Dr. Vandersall’s life will be held on Feb. 6 at 2 p.m. at the William Penn Lounge of Crosslands Community (1660 E. Street Rd., Kennett Square). In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to the College of Wooster C/O The Gault Alumni Center, 1012 Beall Avenue, Wooster, OH 44691. To share a memory with his family, visit www.griecocares.com.

EDITH ANNE MILLS

Edith Anne Mills, 87, of Chadds Ford, passed away on Jan. 14.

She was in the care of Jenner’s Pond in West Grove for six weeks prior to passing. She was the loving wife of Arthur Mills, and had been happily married for 67 years. Edith was born in Brooklyn, N.Y., to the late Edward P. Barbante, and Reba McDonald. During her time in Pennsylvania, she worked at Kohl’s Department Store as a sales associate, and enjoyed the company of the other employees and the many customers she grew to know. Edith loved to spend time with family and friends, especially her grandchildren and her great-grandchildren.

Edith is survived by her husband, Arthur; along with all of her five children -- two daughters, Cathryn Jordan of Los Angeles, Calif., and Janice McGetrick of Kennet Square; three sons, Richard Mills and his wife Deborah of Huntington, N.Y., Robert Mills and his wife Mari of Warren, N.J., and Thomas Mills and his wife Simone of Pasadena, Calif. She was predeceased by both of her brothers, Edward Barbante and Donald Barbante. Along with her five children, she is also survived by 12 grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren.

A visitation with family and friends will be held at the Hilton Inn (815 E. Baltimore Pike, Kennett Square) on Jan. 23. A service will be held at 4 p.m., followed by a dinner in her honor. Online condolences may be made by visiting www.griecocares.com.

WILLIAM R. KUNTZ

William “Bill” R. Kuntz, 78, of Landenberg, died on Jan. 15 at Seasons Hospice in Newark, Del.

He was the husband of the late Lila Rose Conklin Kuntz, who died in 2012, and with whom he shared 50 years of marriage. Born in Lock Haven, Pa., he was the son of the late Raymond and Marion Kuntz. He was a machine mechanic for Wyeth Laboratories for over 30 years. He enjoyed playing volleyball, watching Penn State football, crossword puzzles, listening to 1950s music and vacationing at the summer cabin with the family. He was a member of the Italian American club in Kennett Square and West Chester.

Survivors include one son, Patrick Kuntz and his wife Lisa of Landenberg; two daughters, Lisa Mills and her husband Gilbert of Elmer, N.J., and Lana Cornette of Oxford; four brothers, Richard, Jack, Charlie, Raymond all of Lock Haven; three sisters, Barbara Barzona, Rita Clark, and Patricia Kuntz, all of Lock Haven; and six grandchildren, Sheena Kuntz, Cody Kuntz, Kylie Beyer, Blaine Cornette, Eden Cornette and Sally Cornette. He was predeceased by two brothers and three sisters.

A visitation with family and friends will be held from 4 to 6 p.m. Jan. 22 at the Kuzo & Grieco Funeral Home Inc. (250 W. State St., Kennett Square). A memorial service celebrating his life will follow at 6 p.m. Interment will be held privately. To view his online tribute and to share a memory with his family, visit www.griecocares.com.

FRANCES F. HEWTON

Frances F. Hewton, 84, of West Chester, passed away on Jan. 17 at the Pocopson Home.

Born in Lewiston, Maine, she was the daughter of the late David and Mary Madeline McGrath Frieman. She was a homemaker who enjoyed shopping, dining out with her friends, going to art museums, summers at the Jersey Shore, trips back to Maine, and especially enjoyed being with her family and friends.

Frances is survived by one son, Robert D. Hewton and his wife Ellen of West Chester; one daughter, Cathryn King and her husband Michael of West Grove; two brothers, Donald Frieman of Philadelphia, and James Frieman of Florida; two sisters, Arlene Dowd and Susan Davis, both of Philadelphia; and four grandchildren, Kelly, Katherine, Lindsey and David.

Her service and burial will be private. In lieu of flowers, a contribution may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, Delaware Valley Chapter, 620 Freedom Boulevard, Suite 101, King of Prussia, PA 19406. Online condolences may be made by visiting www.griecocares.com.