SAMUEL THEODORE LEWIS EDWARDS

Samuel Theodore Lewis Edwards, 88, peacefully passed away on March 24 after his short battle with ALS.

He leaves behind his loving wife, Pat, of West Grove. Sam began his long life in Collingswood, N.J., the second son of Bob and Louise Edwards. He spent his early years in Collingswood, and honed his skills and passions as a hunter and fisher with his father and uncles in central Pennsylvania. He attended Rutgers University, and worked at a YMCA Camp in Medford Lakes in the summers where he met and eventually married Pat. He enlisted in the Marines, later transferred to the Navy, and was stationed in California. He was a decorated veteran of the Korean War and served as a Hospital Corpsman Second Class.

After serving his country in Korea, he and Pat moved to the family farm in Concordville, where they built the biggest sheep farm east of the Mississippi. Love of family drove all he did. Sam served on the vestry of St. John’s Episcopal Church of Concordville, was elected as Chairman of Concord Township Supervisors, and worked tirelessly as a coach for his children’s baseball teams at Brandywine Youth Club. Sam and Pat moved to West Grove, where he continued to serve as a role model for all who knew him. When Sam and Pat moved to Chadds Ford, a new generation was able to use him as a model for their lives. Now great-grandchildren were taught to model their lives after Pop Pop. Sam and Pat attended the sports activities of their great-grandchildren, and Sam loved passing on the love of nature to them.

Sam is loved and survived by his wife Pat; his daughter Cathy and husband Ken of New London; son Brad and wife Leslie of Landenberg; and son Rick and wife Debra of Chadds Ford. He was a beloved Pop Pop to his seven grandchildren and their spouses; and nine great-grandchildren.

A celebration of his life will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. on April 9 at the New London Presbyterian Church (Old Church), 1986 Newark Road, New London. His memorial service will follow at 3 p.m. Burial will be private. In lieu of flowers, a donation in honor of Sam Edwards may be made to the ALS Association Greater Philadelphia Chapter, 321 Norristown Road, Suite 260, Ambler, PA 19002. Online condolences may be made by visiting www.griecocares.com.

TRESSIE M. WILSON

Tressie M. Wilson, 88, of Oxford, passed away March 28 at Christiana Hospital in Newark, Del.

She was the wife of the late Clyde I. Wilson, with whom she shared 58 years of marriage. Born in Asheville, N.C., she was the daughter of the late William and Lona Miller Keys. She was a member of the Nottingham Missionary Baptist Church. Tressie was a seamstress at Fawn Grove Manufacturing Company in Rising Sun, Md. She enjoyed her family, listening to gospel music, cooking and sewing.

She is survived by four sons, Clyde Donald Wilson (Toni) of Rising Sun, Md., William Raymond Wilson of Elkton, Md., Stephen J. Wilson (Marilyn) of Colora, Md., and John C. “Jack” Wilson (Patti) of Rising Sun, Md.; one daughter, Karen Cook (Steve) of Rising Sun, Mc.; ten grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; three brothers, William Keys of Nottingham, J. Earl Keys of Little Britain, and Vernon Keys of Port Deposit, Md.; four sisters, Dorothy Van Dyke of Rising Sun, Md., Helen Vaughan of Tayloria, Pa., Opal Goad of Rising Sun, Md., and Patricia Temple of Nottingham.

Funeral services were held on April 2. In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to the Nottingham Missionary Baptist Church Building Fund. Online condolences may be made at www.elcollinsfuneralhome.com.

C. ROBERT BRYAN

In April of 1941, Clarence and Bertha Bryan brought a baby boy into the world and named him Clarence Robert Bryan. Bobby attended Cochranville Elementary, Elk View School in Penn Township and Avon Grove High School. Bob graduated from Avon Grove in 1959 and received his associates degree in accounting from Goldey-Beacom College in 1964. He worked for the DuPont Company from 1959 to 2001. His time was spent with the DuPont Country Club and the Hotel DuPont.

Bob and Jean married in 1962, made their home in West Grove, and shared 53 years of marriage. They had one son, David Robert Bryan, of whom they have been very proud. Bob worked hard and was a very kind man. After retirement, he had more time to spend traveling and enjoying NASCAR and the Phillies.

Bob passed away on March 29. In addition to his parents, Bob was preceded in death by three brothers, Gary, Richard, and Donald; and one brother-in-law, Donald Gregg. Living on without him are his wife Jean; his son David (and fiancée Ingrid Weber); his sister Janet Gregg; brother James Bryan, Sr.; and a very large family including nieces, nephews and cousins.

Services were held on April 3 at the Foulk & Grieco Funeral Home. Interment was in Union Hill Cemetery in Kennett Square. Contributions in his memory may be made to Assumption BVM Church or to Neighborhood Hospice in West Chester. To view his online tribute and to share a memory with his family, visit www.griecocares.com.

CARMEN NIEVES DIAZ

Carmen Nieves Diaz, 86, of West Chester, passed away on March 29 at the Pocopson Home.

Her husband, Angel Colon, passed away in 1984. Born in Comerio, Puerto Rico, she was the daughter of the late Miguel Nieves and Cristina Diaz. Carmen was a homemaker and enjoyed cooking, and being with her family and friends. She was a great mother and wife. She was a member of the Iglesia Pentecostal Pena Inconmovible.

She is survived by five sons, Angel Colon and his wife Luz Colon of Brooklyn, N.Y., Jorge Colon of Puerto Rico, Jose Colon of Puerto Rico, Andres Rivera of New York, and Luis Colon of Puerto Rico; five daughters, Carmen Colon and her husband Angel Ortiz of Oxford, Gladys Colon of West Chester, Gloria Colon and her husband Pedro Nieves of Perth Amboy, N.J., Blanca Iris Colon and her husband Jesus Vega of Puerto Rico, and Margarita Nieves of New York; two sisters, Luz Maria Nieves of Kentucky, and Doris Nieves of Pennsylvania; and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by four brothers.

Services were held on April 5 at the Iglesia Pentecostal Pena Inconmovible Church. Interment was in the Oxford Cemetery. Online condolences may be made by visiting www.griecocares.com.

ADRIENNE PHILLIPS WICKERSHAM

Adrienne Phillips Wickersham, 95, of Kennett Square, died of natural causes on March 27 at her home in Kendal at Crosslands.

The older of two children, Adrienne was born to Adrienne (McMahon) and Edmund Phillips in 1920 in New York. She attended Houghton College in Houghton, N.Y., where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in communications engineering. Upon graduation, she was employed by the United States Army Signal Corps as a transmission engineer before taking a similar position with ITT, where she also held positions in systems engineering and publications administration for various ITT companies and later Computer Science Corporation. In 1946, she married Wilfred H. Wickersham, and together they raised two sons, William and Edmund, in Nutley and Upper Saddle River, N.J. Upon retiring from ITT, Adrienne enjoyed a variety of jobs in and around her community. She was administrator of the 1970 census of Bergen County, N.J., and was manager of the Upper Saddle River Swim and Tennis Club, of which she was a founding member. As one who enjoyed singing, Adrienne was a long-standing member of Sweet Adelines International. In 1977, Adrienne and Wilfred moved to Kendal Crosslands, a continuing care retirement community in Kennett Square. As founding residents, they embraced the CCRC concept and helped shape the growth and feel of their new community. She and her husband traveled extensively during their retirement and introduced an entertaining photography slide series at Crosslands called “The World Around Us,” which was always well-attended. Over the years, Adrienne held several volunteer roles at Crosslands. Much later in life, she was thrilled to become a grandmother and thoroughly enjoyed her time spent with Ed and his family. For the last several years, Adrienne had the distinction of being the last living founder of Crosslands.

Adrienne is predeceased by her husband and sons. She is survived by her granddaughters, Kate and Elena; her daughter-in-law, Lisa; and her late brother Jack’s children, Larry, Beckie, and Jeff Phillips.

A memorial service to celebrate Adrienne’s life and generous spirit will be held at Crosslands (1660 East Street Road, Kennett Square) at 2 p.m. on April 23. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the World Wildlife Fund (worldwildlife.org/donate) or an environmental charity of your choice. Online condolences may be made by visiting www.griecocares.com.

JUNE A. MILAM

June A. Milam, 74, of Landenberg, passed away on April 1 at the Chester County Hospital.

She was the wife of Pedro Lopez, who passed away in 2015, and with whom she shared 42 years of marriage. Born in Elkton, Md., she was the daughter of the late Raymond and Martha Bullock Holmes. June was a custodian at the Kennett School District for 18 years, retiring in 2003. After her retirement, she worked for six years as an aide at the Pocopson Home. She enjoyed shopping, flower gardening, taking care of others, and being with her family and friends, especially her grandchildren.

June is survived by three sons, Eddie Benson Milam of Avondale, Bryan Ronald Milam of Maryland and Pedro Lopez, Jr. of Avondale; four daughters, Terry Velazquez and her husband Isabelino of Kennett Square, Dannette Rentas of Nottingham, Donna S. Milam of Landenberg, and Carmen Lopez Colon of Oxford; one sister, Celia Holmes of Elkton, MD; seventeen grandchildren and twenty great grandchildren.

A visitation with family and friends will be held April 6 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Kuzo & Grieco Funeral Home (250 W. State St., Kennett Square). Her funeral service will follow at 1 p.m. Burial will be private. In memory of June, a contribution may be made to Christ Church at the Grove, 133 Sheehan Road, Avondale, PA 19311. Online condolences may be made by visiting www.griecocares.com.

CONNIE LOU SNYDER

Connie Lou Snyder, 71, of Avondale, passed away on March 31 at Chester Valley Nursing Home in Malvern.

She was the wife of the late Ellis J. Snyder. Born in West Grove, she was the daughter of the late Coy M. and Esther Marie Kiebler Testerman. She was a member of Calvary Baptist Church in Avondale.

She is survived by two brothers, Michael D. Testerman of Wilmington, Del., and Coy N. Testerman of Florida; and one sister, Verna Lenora Lewis of Lansing, N.C. She was preceded in death by a son, Gale Edward Snyder.

Funeral services were held April 4. Interment was in Union Hill Cemetery in Kennett Square. Online condolences may be made at www.elcollinsfuneralhome.com.

MARIE ETHEL MUTTER JANTON

Marie Ethel Mutter Janton, 79, of Kennett Square, passed away peacefully on March 31 at her home with her husband.

She was the wife of Frank Janton, with whom she shared 60 years of marriage. Born in Philadelphia, she was a daughter of the late Frank and the late Anna (Vitale) Mutter and predeceased by her brother, Frank Mutter. Marie was an accomplished pianist and cellist. She enjoyed 25 years as a cellist with the Delaware County Symphony. She had also performed at the Academy of Music in Philadelphia. She was a recent recipient of the Presidential Humanitarian Award from Neumann University. She will be awarded an honorary Doctorate Degree with her husband conferred by Neumann University at a future commencement. She was a member of West Catholic Girls Alumnae and a member of the Neumann University Scholarship Gala Committee for the past decade. She shared life membership with her husband at the Union League of Philadelphia. She enjoyed traveling and visiting her four children in various locations throughout the United States.

Survivors include, in addition to her husband, three sons, Dr. Francis J. Janton (Susan) of Harrisburg, Stephen R. Janton (Robert Jackson) of Ashville, N.C., and Thomas M. Janton (Clare) of Kennett Square; a daughter, Marie J. DiPrinzio (Eugene) of Chadds Ford; and seven grandchildren, Stephen, Matthew, Thomas, Sandra, Christine, Laura and Marco.

A visitation with family and friends will be held from 10 to 11 a.m. April 6 at St. Gabriel of the Sorrowful Mother (8910 Gap Newport Pike, Avondale). Her mass of Christian burial will follow at 11 a.m.Wednesday at the church. Interment will be in St. Patrick Cemetery, Kennett Square. Contributions in her memory may be made to Neumann University, One Neumann Drive, Aston, PA 19014. To view her online tribute and to share a memory with her family, visit www.griecocares.com.

PATRICIA ANN STOCKTON

Patricia Ann Stockton, 56, of West Grove, became an angel on April, 2.

She was the wife of Joseph William Stockton with whom she shared 29 years of marriage.

  Born in Chester, she was the daughter of Marian Lee and the late James Long. She was a woman of faith, an avid reader and a crafty woman who loved to crochet. She had a gift with children, who instantly connected with her spirit and vivacious laugh. She enjoyed her many years as a youth leader and daycare worker. She consistently utilized her gift of writing through poetic therapy in hopes that it would help comfort others. To her family she signified strength and the courage to survive.

In addition to her husband, she is survived by beloved daughters Wanda Dilworth and Christine Stockton; grandchildren Abigail and Austin Dilworth; and one brother, John Long. She was preceded in death by her siblings, James Long, Jr., and Marian Smith.

A visitation with family and friends will be held April 9 from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. at New London Presbyterian Church (1986 Newark Road, Route 896, New London) for a celebration of life. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to National Alliance on Mental Illness. Mail a check to: NAMI, P.O. Box 62596, Baltimore, MD 21264-2596, call NAMI at 1-888-999-NAMI (6264) or visit www.nami.org/Get-Involved/Donate. Online condolences may be made by visiting www.griecocares.com.

TIMOTHY R. HAM

Timothy Ryan Ham, 43, of Oxford, passed away on April 2.

Born in West Chester, he was the son of Gary L. (Judy) Ham of Nottingham and Nancy (Keith) Hunter Davis of Oxford. He graduated from Oxford Area High School class of 1991. He was a member of the National Honor Society and played in three sports soccer, baseball and was named All-Area Wrestler. Timothy attended Shippensburg University and received his finance degree from Goldey-Beacom College. He enjoyed gardening, fishing and sports.

He is survived by his parents; three children, Madison Miller of Hagerstown, Md., Cole Ham and Cade Ham, both of Cochranville; twin brother Christopher Ham of Newark, Del.; one sister, Lauren Ham of Oxford; step-paternal grandfather, Russell Malloy of Nottingham; and step-maternal grandmother, Nancy Davis of Millsboro, Del.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on April 11 at the Edward L. Collins, Jr. Funeral Home, Inc. (86 Pine St., Oxford), where friends and family may visit from 10 to 11 a.m. Interment will be in Nottingham Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to Oxford Wrestling Assoc., c/o Jamie Canaday, 608 Elk Ridge Rd., Oxford, PA 19363. Online condolences may be made at www.elcollinsfuneralhome.com.