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Chester County Press

Obituaries for the week of March 28

03/31/2016 03:06PM ● By Steven Hoffman

WILMA L. HAYWORTH

Wilma L. Hayworth, 86, of Rising Sun, Md., formerly of Nottingham, passed away March 21 at Calvert Manor Health Care Center in Rising Sun, Md.

She was the wife of the late Offie Hayworth, Sr., and was preceded in death by her first husband, Lawrence Sanchez. Born in Rhodell, W.Va., she was the daughter of the late Joseph and Virginia Brown Shutt. Wilma enjoyed playing bingo.

She is survived by one daughter, Ann Shaw Brammer (Buddy) of Little River, S.C.; one granddaughter, Lynn Miller (Keith) of Quarryville; three great-grandchildren, Thomas Bennett in the Air Force, Taylor Bennett of Oxford, and Travis Bennett of Quarryville; and one sister, Mary Green of Beckley, W.Va. She was preceded in death by a brother, Carson Shutt; and sister, Lucille Pritchett.

A graveside service was held March 24 at the Nottingham Missionary Baptist Church Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to Wounded Warrior Project, Topeka, KS 66675. Online condolences may be made at www.elcollinsfuneralhome.com.

BERNARD C. FOSTER

Bernard C. Foster, 80, of Avondale, passed away on March 21 at the Chester County Hospital.

He was the husband of Kathleen Corcoran McHale Foster, with whom he shared 12 years of marriage. His first wife, Margaret Brockson Foster, passed away in 1998. Born in Danville, Pa., he was the son of the late Bernard J. and Mary Evelyn Moll Foster. He was a dispatcher at the Sun Refinery in Marcus Hook for many years, retiring in 1998. He was a member of Assumption BVM Church in West Grove, and was a member of the U.S. Air Force Honor Guard Association. He was a past Mayor and Council Member of Sharon Hill, Pa., and was a former volunteer firefighter at the Briarcliffe Fire Company. His biggest joy was being with his family.

He is survived by four sons, Joseph Foster (Elizabeth), John “Jack” Foster (Mary), James Foster, and Michael Foster (Donna); three daughters, Mary McGee, Bernadette Wessels (Greg Tadduni) and Kathleen Dolan (Brendon); three brothers, Daniel Foster, Martin Foster, John Foster; two sisters, Judith Cute and Susan Driscoll; 18 grandchildren, Luke, Grace, Caitlyn, John, Jenna, Katherine, Jillian, Megan, Michael, Thomas, Jamie, Kevin, Jacqueline, Margaret, Brigid, Peter, Monica and Justin; and two great-grandchildren, Gianna and Darcy. He was predeceased by one grandson, Matthew.

A funeral was held March 28. Burial was in Ss. Peter and Paul Cemetery in Springfield. In lieu of flowers, a contribution may be made to the Kennett Area Community Service (Kennett Food Cupboard), 136 West Cedar Street, Kennett Square, PA 19348. Online condolences may be made by visiting www.griecocares.com.

MARSELL D. SANTANA

Marsell “Marcy” D. Santana, 63, of Nottingham, passed away on March 16 at her home.

Born in West Grove, she was the daughter of the late Wilmer and Mary Frances Krauss Duncan. Marcy was formerly employed with Lukens Steel Mill. She was also a school bus driver for the Kennett Consolidated School District and a nurse’s aide for the Pocopson Home. She enjoyed cooking, dogs, watching the Philadelphia Eagles and Phillies, and especially babysitting her granddaughter, Savannah.

She is survived by her former husband, Miguel A. Santana of West Grove; one daughter, Angela Santana of Coatesville; one son, John A. Santana of Little Britain; one granddaughter, Savannah Lane; and two sisters, Evelyn Duncan and Nyrell Green, both of Nottingham.

A memorial service was held March 24. In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to Neighborhood Services Center, 35 N. 3rd St, Oxford, PA 19363. Online condolences may be made at www.elcollinsfuneralhome.com.

HERBERT TOLIVER

Herbert Toliver, 81, of Cochranville, passed away on March 23 at his residence.

He was the husband of Charleen Peirson Toliver, who passed away in 2013, and with whom he shared 46 years of marriage. Born in Ashe County, N.C., he was the son of the late Calvin E., Sr., and Biddie Perkins Toliver. He was a general foreman at Lukens Steel Company, retiring in 1991 after more than 30 years of service. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, gardening, mowing, bird watching, and being with his family and friends.

He is survived by two sons, Ronald “Tee” Phillips and his fiancee Pou Chenelle of Rising Sun, Md., and Allen Toliver and his wife Sally of Cochranville; one daughter, Audrey Emerson of West Grove; one brother, Shirley M. Toliver of Todd, N.C.; one sister, Louise Adams of Oxford; seven grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by one stepson, James Emerson; four brothers; and two sisters.

A funeral was held March 29. Burial was in Union Hill Cemetery in Kennett Square. In lieu of flowers, a contribution may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, 399 Market Street, Suite 102, Philadelphia, PA 19106. Online condolences may be made by visiting www.griecocares.com.


WILLIAM PAUL RHODES, III

William “Bill” Paul Rhodes, III, 61, of Kennett Square, died on Friday, March 25 at Neighborhood Hospice in West Chester. He was the loving husband of Kathleen Root Rhodes, with whom he shared 19 years of marriage.

Born in Wilmington, Del., and raised in New Castle, Del., he was a son of the late William and the late Jane (Marshall) Rhodes.

Bill worked for Stonegates retirement community in Centerville, Del. for over 15 years. He enjoyed assisting residents as their maintenance technician.

Bill attended Saint Thomas Episcopal Church in NY, NY on a regular basis where his youngest son, Nicholas, is a Chorister in the Saint Thomas Choir of Men and Boys and a student of the Saint Thomas Choir School. Locally, he attended Church of the Advent in Kennett Square.

He was a hardworking man, devoted to his family and enjoyed craft beer, riding motorcycles, skiing, visiting Manhattan with his wife and boys, and vacationing in the Outer Banks and Maine.

Survivors include, in addition to his wife, two sons, Marshall S. Rhodes and Nicholas P. Rhodes and one brother, John M. Rhodes of New Castle, Del. He was predeceased by a half-brother, Francis P. Cassidy.

Relatives and friends are invited to visit from 12:30 p.m. to 2 p.m. on Friday April 1 at Hartefeld National, 1 Hartefeld Drive, Avondale, PA 19311. A Memorial service and reception celebrating his life will follow at 2 p.m. Interment will be held privately at Gracelawn Memorial Park in New Castle, Del. Contributions in Bill’s memory may be made to Saint Thomas Choir School 202 W. 58th Street, NY, NY 10019 or Neighborhood Hospice, 795 E. Marshall St., Suite 204, West Chester, PA 19380. Flowers are being provided by Kennett Florist, 610-444-6040. To view Bill’s online tribute and to share a memory with his family, please visit www.griecocares.com.

CHARLES ROBERT ERIKSON

Charles Robert Erikson, 82, of Oxford, passed away on Saturday, March 26, at Ware Presbyterian Village, Oxford.

He was the husband of Gloria Martini Erikson with whom he shared 62 years of marriage.

Born in Des Moines, IA, he was the son of the late Frank Robert and Inez Hill Erikson.

He attended California Polytechnic College, San Luis Obispo, CA where he earned his bachelor’s degree in printing.

Charles was employed with Campbell Soup, Camden, NJ for 10 years.


He was a Boy Scout leader. Charles enjoyed steam cars and volunteered at Auburn Heights Preserve, Yorklyn, DE.

Charles was a member of the International Metal Association for many years and retired as an honorary member.

He is survived by his wife; two sons, Charles W. Erikson (Cheryl) of Dallas, TX and Scott D. Erikson (Donna) of Camillus, NY; four grandchildren, Michelle Erikson, Scott Michael Erikson, Victoria Erikson and Christopher Erikson; and one brother, David Erikson of Phoenix, AZ.

He was preceded in death by a grandson, Kevin Erikson.

A memorial service will be held at noon on Thursday, March 31 at Ware Presbyterian Home Vista Ridge Pavilion, 7 E. Locust St., Oxford, PA, where friends and family may visit from 11 to noon.

Interment will be private.

In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to the Auburn Heights Preserve, PO 61, Yorklyn, DE 19736.

Arrangements handled by the Edward L. Collins, Jr. Funeral Home, Inc., Oxford.

Online condolences may be made at www.elcollinsfuneralhome.com.