JEREMY T. LAFFERTY

Jeremy Thomas Lafferty, 22, of Upper Darby, passed away on June 18 at Jennersville Regional Hospital in West Grove.

Born in Drexel Hill, he was the son of Daniel Lafferty of Upper Darby, Wendy Wright and stepfather Gene Hassell of Upper Darby. Jeremy was employed with the Sawmill Grill in Oxford as a chef.

He is survived by his parents; daughter, Mackenzie Lafferty of Oxford; two stepdaughters, Lilly Salas and Daisy Salas; two sisters, Crystal Lafferty and Trinity Hassell; three brothers, Daniel Lafferty, Jr., Joshua Lafferty and Sebastian Hassell, all of Delaware County; stepfather Gene Hassell of Upper Darby; and Jeremy’s loving companion, Crystal Salas of Oxford.

Funeral services were held on June 24. Online condolences may be made at www.elcollinsfuneralhome.com.

BERNARD J. DOUGHERTY, JR.

Bernard Joseph Dougherty, Jr. (Bernie), 59, of Kennett Square, passed away on June 27 at the Abington Hospital.

Born in Upper Darby, he was the son of the late Bernard Joseph Dougherty, Sr., and Anne Marie Feeney Dougherty. Bernie retired from Kendall Crosslands in 2009. Before that, he was owner of Birch Street Automotive. He proudly served his country in the U.S. Navy from 1976 to 1980. He was CPO on the USS Forrestal. Bernie enjoyed Cape May, N.J., fishing, Philadelphia sports teams, and he loved history. He enjoyed spending time with his family and friends. He was a great brother and friend. His sense of humor will be missed by many.

He is survived by one brother, James J. Dougherty of Oxford; two sisters, Anne Marie Puoci (Frank) of West Grove, and (Meg) Margaret McComsey (Larry) of Oxford; two nieces, Caitlin McComsey and Lisa Puoci; and his companion, Diana Kelly.

A visitation with family and friends will be held from 8:45 to 9:45 a.m. July 9 at Assumption BVM Church (300 State Rd., West Grove). His funeral mass will follow at 10 a.m. Interment will be at the convenience of the family. In lieu of flowers, a donation in memory of Bernie may be made to The Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758517, Topeka, KS 66675. Online condolences may be made by visiting www.griecocares.com.

EDWARD J. SMITH, JR.

Edward J. Smith, Jr., 81, passed away peacefully on June 27 at his home.

He had been a lifelong resident of the area. He was born in Philadelphia, raised his family in Parkside, and then he and his wife moved in with their oldest son in Oxford. He was the son of the late Edward J., Sr., and Helen Mate Smith.

He worked at Baldwins Locomotive and the Chester Ship Yard before retiring from William Penn School District in Delaware County. Ed enjoyed going to his cabin in the mountains and spending time with his family. He loved the outdoors, especially bird watching, metal detecting, riding the tractor and gardening.

He is survived by his beloved wife of 58 years, Irma Smith; four precious sons, Edward J. Smith III of Oxford, Brad Smith (Dana) of Garnet Valley, Curt Smith (Natalie) of Chadds Ford, and Craig Smith (Debbie) of West Grove; four grandchildren, Jason, Rebecca, Candice, and Amber; one great-grandson, R.J.; and one sister, Kathleen Smith of Oxford.

Funeral services were held July 1. Interment was in Edgewood Memorial Park in Glen Mills. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Manna Ministries, 226 Pennocks Bridge Rd., West Grove, PA 19390. Online condolences may be made at www.elcollinsfuneralhome.com.

MARK T. ALTIZER

Mark Thomas Altizer, 44, of Nottingham, passed away on June 26 at his home.

He was the husband of Clarissa (Kris) Chesnet Altizer, with whom he shared 19 years of marriage. Born in Wilmington, Del., he was the son of Eleanor Graham Altizer of West Grove and the late Richard Altizer. Mark enjoyed hunting, fishing, classic cars, and spending time with his family and friends. Mark was a wonderful person and will be truly missed.

He is survived by his wife; mother; and one son, Shayne T. Altizer, at home. A life celebration service will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 13, at his home. O-line condolences may be made at www.elcollinsfuneralhome.com.

PRISCILLA JANE REESE

Priscilla Jane Reece, 68, of Nottingham, passed away on June 29.

Born in Elkton, Md., in 1947, she was the daughter of the late Mitchell, Sr. and Elizabeth Veasey Minker. Priscilla was the owner/operator of the Craigtown Market, Port Deposit, Md. She loved spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren, and enjoyed gardening and watching birds.

Survivors include her husband of 52 years, Mack A. Reece, Sr.; children, Renee R. Cheuvront and Keith D. Reece, both of Rising Sun, Md.; grandchildren, Kenneth, Dylan and Casey Reece, and Luke Cheuvront; and brothers, Mitchell Minker, Jr., and Randy Minker, both of Elkton, Md. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her son, Mack A. Reece, Jr.; and siblings, Bradley Minker and Deborah Barlow.

A funeral with interment in West Nottingham Presbyterian Cemetery in Colora, Md., was private. Visit www.hickshomeforfunerals.com.

FRANK W. HOWELL

Frank William “Frankie” Howell, 84, of Oxford, passed away on July 1 at Ware Presbyterian Village in Oxford.

Born in Husk, N.C., he was the son of the late Rev. Lee J. Howell and Amanda Ines Carter Howell. Frank worked as a utility service repairman over 30 years for the Penn Fuel Gas Company in Oxford. Frank loved fishing, especially flounder on the Atlantic Ocean, spent most of the summer at his camper in Sussex County, Del., and enjoyed woodworking in his shop at home. He loved animals and always had a pet, the last being Tabby, a Maine coon cat.

Frank is survived by one daughter, Susan Bowers (Wayne) of Shamong, N.J.; daughter-in-law, Debra Howell of Nottingham; eight grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; and one sister, Retha Coleman (Doug) of Manassas, Va. He was preceded in death by a son, David William Howell; three brothers, Bryan Howell, Roy Howell, and Earl Howell; and four sisters, Chessie Blankenbeckler, Essie Jones, Wanda Roop and Pauline Roland.

Relatives and friends may visit from 10 to 11 a.m. July 7 at the Edward L. Collins, Jr. Funeral Home, Inc. (86 Pine St., Oxford). A funeral will begin at 11 a.m. Interment will be in Oxford Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the American Cancer Society at www.cancer.org/index, or mail to PO Box 22478, Oklahoma City, OK 73123. Online condolences may be made at www.elcollinsfuneralhome.com.

BOBBY R. HARPER

Bobby Ray Harper, 52, of Toughkenamon, passed away on July 2 at the Christiana Hospital.

Born in West Grove, he was the son of Nell Hodge Harper of Toughkenamon, and the late Junior Ray Harper. Bob was a member of the Men’s Auxiliary at the Hockessin VFW Post 5892. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, barbecuing, and pig roasting. In his younger years, he was an avid softball player. He was a big Phillies and San Francisco 49ers fan.

In addition to his mother, he is survived by one brother, Tommy Harper of West Grove; three sisters, Sandy Winnington of Toughknamon, Dianna Harper of Toughkenamon, and Brenda Rominger of Avondale; two nieces, Desiree Harper and Crystal Rominger; two nephews, Matthew Harper and Rodney Rominger; one great-niece, Jacqueline Fahey; his special friend, Darlene Wyatt; and his little buddy, Brandon Miller.

A visitation with family and friends will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. July 8, and again from 10 to 11 a.m. July 9, at the Kuzo & Grieco Funeral Home (250 W. State St., Kennett Square). His funeral service will follow at 11 a.m. Burial will be in Union Hill Cemetery in Kennett Square. In lieu of flowers, a contribution may be made to the American Heart Association, 1617 JFK Boulevard, Suite 700, Philadelphia, PA 19103. Online condolences may be made by visiting www.griecocares.com.

FRANCESCA BONANNO SCULLI

Francesca Bonanno Sculli, 90, of Kennett Square, and formerly from Yeadon, Pa., passed away on June 30 at Neighborhood Hospice in West Chester.

She was the wife of Vincent D. Sculli, who passed away in 2004, and with whom she shared 57 years of marriage. Born in Manhattan, N.Y., she was the daughter of the late Benjamin and Angela DiBella Bonanno. She was a member of St. Cornelius Catholic Church in Chadds Ford. She was a past member of the CYO group and she was Neighborhood Chairman for the Girl Scouts of Yeadon, receiving the Saint Ann's Award. She also participated in the Boy Scouts as a den mother from 1972 to 1985. She partnered with her daughter Sandra, operating the Presbyterian Day Learning Center in Yeadon. After moving to Chester County in 1985, she became an important team member of Classic Cookies of Kennett Square for many years, while also enjoying her volunteer work at Longwood Gardens.

She is survived by one son, Vincent Sculli, Jr., and his wife Dawn Marie of Springfield; two daughters, Sandra M. Morlino and her husband Rob of Kennett Square, and Denise Wusinich and her husband Martin of Newtown Square; six grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.

A visitation with family and friends will be held from 8:30 to 9:45 a.m. July 8 at St. Cornelius Catholic Church (160 Ridge Rd., Chadds Ford). Her funeral mass will follow at 10 a.m. Burial will be in Ss. Peter & Paul Cemetery in Springfield. Her family requests that flowers not be sent and instead would request a donation to Neighborhood Hospice, 400 East Marshall Street, West Chester, PA 19380. Online condolences may be made by visiting www.griecocares.com.

DOROTHY HARGROVE WILSON

Dorothy Hargrove Wilson, 91, of Crosslands Community in Kennett Square, died on June 20 at her home.

She was the wife of James Burnett Wilson, who died in 2011, and with whom she shared 65 years of marriage. Born in Elizabeth, N.J., she was the daughter of the late George C. and the late Eleanor (Chew) Hargrove. Dottie enjoyed a busy and fulfilling career as homemaker, mother of four and Navy wife. She volunteered for roles in Navy relief organizations and the Red Cross, and was an active member in her church. She had a gift for making and keeping friends. Her life interests included gardening, raising dogs, creating delicious meals, painting, and having fun with children. Dottie’s creativity was used to the full during her six years of caring for her mother following her mother’s major stroke.

Survivors include two sons, George H. Wilson (Heidi) of Plantation, Fla., and Matthew R. Wilson (Linda) of Columbus, Ohio; one daughter, Susan Wilson Fowler (Matthew) of England; her eldest son’s widow Margaret; nine grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren. In addition to her husband, she was predeceased by one son, Henry M. Wilson (Margaret) in 1983; and her brother, Robert G. Hargrove.

Dottie’s memorial service will be held in the William Penn Room at Crosslands Retirement Community (1660 East Street Road, Kennett Square) on a date to be announced. Interment of ashes will be held at the United States Naval Academy next to her husband. Contributions in her memory may be made to Crosslands Community online or by check. To donate online, go to www.kcc.kendal.org, choose ‘Gifts’ and on donation choose ‘Kendal-Crosslands unrestricted fund’ and write in the large box “for Crosslands Health Center Activities.” To donate by check, make it payable to ‘Kendal-Crosslands Communities” with written memo ‘For Crosslands Health Center Activities,' and mail checks to the community at P.O. Box 100, Kennett Square, PA 19348. To view her online tribute and to share a memory with her family, visit www.griecocares.com.

KEITH D. HOFFMAN

Keith Donald Hoffman, 83, of Silver Dollar Farm in Landenberg, formerly from Long Island, N.Y., and Jamaica, Vt., passed away unexpectedly on June 27.

He was the hlusband of Barbara E. Hoffman. Keith and Barbara met as students of voice teacher Grace Buckley in the late sixties. Born in Syracuse, N.Y., he was the son of the late Donald and Bernice Hoffman. He was an award-winning landscape artist, working in watercolor and acrylics, and a professional performer with church choirs L.I. Opera Showcase, The International Entertainers, The Troubadors, and The String Theory Band of the U of D. His artworks are currently in the Chadds Ford Gallery, The Hardcastle Gallery and the Southern Vermont Arts Center. He taught both art and music classes at the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at the Wilmington Campus of the University of Delaware. A rabid Mets baseball fan, he held his own within a family and friends of Phillies fans. He was known as “The Cat Whisperer” for his ability to turn domestic and feral cats into his lifelong affectionate furry friends. Talented and versatile, he was self-taught in art, the German language, and musical instruments. At the Landenberg United Methodist Church, Keith sang in the Adult Choir, the Men’s Choir, and set the Children’s Choir laughing with his “singing kid” impersonations.

He was stepfather to James R. Kramer (Consuelo) and Robert M. Kramer (Maria); and loving grandfather to his step-grandchildren, Sarah (James), Gabriella, Michael, Rachael and Bobby.

A visitation will be held at the Landenberg United Methodist Church (205 Penn Green Rd., Landenberg) on July 6 between 10 and 11 a.m., and a memorial service from 11 a.m. to noon for his family and friends to give him a send-off to his spiritual home. A reception in the fellowship hall will follow. As an U. S. Army veteran, he will be interred at the Indiantown Gap National Cemetery in Anneville, Pa. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Landenberg United Methodist Church, PO Box 36, Landenberg, PA 19350. Online condolences may be made by visiting www.griecocares.com.

RUTH MAY HOLCOMB-BURGOS

Ruth May Holcomb-Burgos, 74, of Avondale passed away on July 3 at her home.

She was the wife of Jose Burgos, a member of the Avondale Fire Company for 30 years. Born in West Chester, she was the daughter of the late Henry J. and Grace Roberts Hess. Ruth enjoyed having cookouts, spending time with her family, playing bingo and cards, and enjoyed going to Delaware Park and flea markets. She loved listening to country music and loved all animals, especially her dogs.

She is survived by her husband; one daughter, Kimberly Holcomb of Avondale; two sons, Joe Burgos and his wife Shannon of Cochranville, and Jeff Holcomb and his wife Linda of Miami, Fla.; four grandchildren, Bryana Burgos, Chasity Burgos, Sierra Burgos, and Benjamin Holcomb; one great grandchild, Billy James Holman III; and a lifelong friend, Doris Saintsing. She was preceded in death by her two grandsons, Joshua Holcomb and Billy James Holman, Jr. (Big Bill); two brothers, Henry John Hess, Jr., and Calvin Hess; and one sister, Irene Leeman.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. July 9 at the Edward L. Collins, Jr. Funeral Home (86 Pine St., Oxford), where family and friends may visit from 10 to 11 a.m. Interment will be private. In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to the Chester County SPCA, 1212 Phoenixville Pike, West Chester, PA 19380. Online condolences may be made at www.elcollinsfuneralhome.com.