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Chester County Press

Obituaries for the week of Aug. 1

08/01/2016 03:14PM ● By J. Chambless

JAMES D. BROWN

James Douglas Brown, 70, passed away on July 18.

Born in West Chester, he was the son of the late James Wolf and Ethel Mae Brown. James was a veteran of the U.S. Navy and served during the Vietnam War. He enjoyed fishing, and played basketball, soccer and ran track in high school.

He is survived by four sisters, Lucy Mae Milburn of Peach Bottom, Rev. Frances B. Lee of Oxford, Wanda Boyden-Slater of Las Vegas, and Rhonda M. Brown of Wilmington, Del.; one brother, David S. Brown of Coatesville; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Services will be private. Online condolences may be made at www.elcollinsfuneralhome.com.


JAMES J. DENNIS

James J. Dennis, 71, of West Grove, passed away on July 18 at his home.

Born in Philadelphia, he was the son of the late Norman and Margaret Supplee Dennis. He was a retired salesman. James was a devout member of Christ Church at the Grove, Avondale. He loved music, writing and singing.

He is survived by his sons John P. Dennis (Susanne) and Richard Dennis; daughter Debra Basquill (Daniel); granddaughters Kimberly, Kristen, Sofie and Lily; brother Norman Dennis; and sister Judy Breslin.

Funeral services were held July 22. Interment was in Oxford Cemetery. Donations in his memory may be made to Christ Church at the Grove, 133 Sheehan Rd., Avondale, PA 19311. Online condolences may be made at www.elcollinsfuneralhome.com.


RONALD KRASSENSTEIN

Ronald Krassenstein, 75, of Peach Bottom, passed away on July 23 at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, surrounded by his family.

He was born in Philadelphia to the late Morris and Dorothy Krassenstein of Ventnor, N.J. He was a member of Nottingham Presbyterian Church. He volunteered at Jennersville Regional Hospital and Robert Fulton Fire Company. He was the dairy manager and retired from the University of Pennsylvania, New Bolton Center, where he worked for 33 years. After retirement, he fulfilled his dream of having his own farm. He enjoyed history, reading, tending to his flowers, caring for his herd and walking with his dog, Jack.

Ron is survived by his loving wife, Minnie (Price) Krassenstein, with whom he shared 43 years of marriage; their children, Matthew and his wife Christina Krassenstein of Peach Bottom, Joseph and his wife Christina Hoell of Gardiner, N.Y., and Dorothy and her husband Timothy Peterson of West Grove; seven grandchildren, Matthew, Daniel, Victoria, Kelly, Dylan, Sara and Jacob; and special friends, the Roney family.

Funeral services were held July 29. Donations in his memory may be made to Farm Aid, 501 Cambridge St., Third Floor, Cambridge, MA 02141 or at www.farmaid.org. Online condolences may be made at www.elcollinsfuneralhome.com.


DANIEL JOHN BORNEMAN

Daniel John Borneman, 47, of Chesapeake City, Md., passed away on July 24 at the Bethesda Hospital East, Boynton Beach, Fla.

He was the husband of Amy Baird Borneman. Born in Darby, Pa., he was the son of Joseph Borneman of Deltona, Fla., and the late Eileen Borham Borneman. He was a police officer on the Chester Police Department for 20 years, retiring in 2014. He was a member of the Fraternal Order of Police, William Penn Lodge 19, Chester, Pa. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, reading, and was a big Flyers fan. He especially enjoyed trips to the beach with his daughter.

He is survived by his daughter, Justine Borneman of Cecilton, Md.; one sister, Jennifer Carr (Pat) of Oxford; one brother, Mark Borneman (Gillian) of Deltona, Fla.; three nieces; and three nephews.

A funeral was held Aug. 1. Burial was in St. Malachi Cemetery in Cochranville. In memory of Danny, a contribution may be made to the American Cancer Society, 1626 Locust Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103. Online condolences may be made by visiting www.griecocares.com.


BETTY WILEY

Betty Wiley, 92, of Kennett Square, passed away peacefully at Crosslands on July 25.

Born in Malvern, she was the daughter of the late Honor and Anna Swanenburg. She and her late husband, Harvey (Pete) Wiley, shared 50 years of marriage. They worked together at their business, Wiley Motors, in West Chester for many years before retiring to Florida. The love of their grandchildren brought them home to Pennsylvania in the mid-1970s. Betty was the devoted mother of the late Joseph Wiley (Linda Hetherington) of West Chester, and Shirley Wood (Ben) of Chadds Ford; loving grandmother of Michael Wiley (Nicole Mayer), Lynsey Wood Jeffries (David), and Jeffrey Wiley Wood; and proud great-grandmother of Madeline Wiley and Pete Jeffries. Betty is survived by her sister, Jane Tinder; and predeceased by her brother, Charles Swanenburg.

Burial was held privately. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Kendal Crosslands Communities (note "KC Employee Appreciation Fund" in the check memo). Mailing address: P.O. Box 100 Kennett Square, PA 19348. Online condolences may be made by visiting www.griecocares.com.


DANIELLE HAEGELE STECKEL

Danielle Haegele Steckel, 53, of Landenberg, passed away on July 25 at Seasons Hospice in Newark, Del.

She was the wife of Eric W. Steckel, with whom she shared 30 years of marriage. Born in Philadelphia, she was the daughter of Ruth Teel Haegele of West Chester, and the late Warren Haegele. She was a homemaker and loved taking care of others. She enjoye

In addition to her husband and mother, she is survived by one son, Tyler L. Steckel of Landenberg; two daughters, Kiersten Geist and her husband Steve of Avondale, and Tiera Steckel of Landenberg; three brothers, Mark Haegele of Cochranville, Kurt Haegele of Oxford, and Warren Haegele of Philadelphia; one sister, Trina Carney of Folcroft, Pa.; and two grandchildren, Landon Steckel and Zinnia Geist.

A visitation with family and friends will be held from 10 a.m. to noon on Aug. 5 at the Kuzo & Grieco Funeral Home (250 W. State St., Kennett Square). A graveside service will follow at 12:30 p.m. at the Union Hill Cemetery, Route 82, Kennett Square.

In memory of Danielle, a contribution may be made to The Humane Society or The COAD Group (Council on Addictive Disease) of Chester County. Online condolences may be made by visiting www.griecocares.com.


LUELLA R. McCOY

Luella R. McCoy, 87, of Lincoln University, passed away peacefully on July 29 Ruston residence of Jenners Pond.

She was the wife of Lloyd H. McCoy, who passed away in 1978, and with whom she shared 29 years of marriage. Born in St. Louis, she was the daughter of the late Joseph and Vesta (nee Loper)

Sarason. She was a member of the Union United Methodist Church and the Eastern Star. She was a homemaker and a receptionist at several companies in St. Louis. Her interests included reading, traveling, music, playing cards, and being with her family and friends.

She is survived by a daughter, Jeannette R. Reid and her husband Craig of

Lincoln University; two brothers, Raymond Sarason (Mary) of Oakland, Tenn., and Richard English of St. Louis; two grandchildren, Katherine Warner (Joshua) and Shannon Reid. She was predeceased by her son, Scott W. McCoy, who passed away in April 2016.

Her service will be private. 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.


MARIE B. BUSILLO

Marie B. Busillo, 85, of West Grove, passed away on July 29 at her residence.

She was the wife of Matthew J. Busillo, who passed away in 2002, and with whom she shared 49 years of marriage. Born in Philadelphia, she was the daughter of the late John and Mary Duffy Hinkle. She was a member of Assumption BVM Church in West Grove, where she was very involved in numerous Church activities. She was a homemaker who enjoyed playing bingo, bus trips to the casinos, and being with her family and friends. She, along with her daughter Marie, volunteered for 30 years at both the Pottstown and Jennersville hospitals.

She is survived by two sons, Matthew J. Busillo and his wife Patty of Lincoln University, and John M. Busillo and his wife Amy of Upper Gwynedd, Pa.; one daughter, Marie Busillo of West Grove; five grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.

A visitation with family and friends will be held from 9:15 to 10:15 a.m. Aug. 4 at the Assumption BVM Church (300 State Rd., West Grove). Her funeral mass will follow at 10:30. Burial will be St. Patrick’s Cemetery in Kennett Square. In lieu of flowers, a contribution may be made to the Temple University Institutional Advancement, P.O. Box 827651, Philadelphia, PA 19182-7651. Online condolences may be made by visiting www.griecocares.com.


RICHARD LEE DIKEMAN

Richard Lee Dikeman, 87, passed away peacefully on July 28 at Blackhawk Assisted Living in Spring Hill, Kan.

Born in Roy, N.M., to Howard and Laura (Sallee) Dikeman, he lived most of his life in Oxford, Pa., and DeSoto, Kan. Richard married Sarah Speck in 1947. They had a son, Michael. In 1957, he married Margaret Howell, to whom he was married for 48 years until her death. They had two daughters, Donna and Wanda. Following his second retirement, he and Margaret moved to DeSoto, Kan., to be closer to their daughters and their respective families. After Margaret passed away, he married Mary Bichelmeyer, who survives Richard.

He is survived by his wife, Mary; and a sister, Pauline Cremieux, from Washington. He is also survived by his children and their spouses: Michael Dikeman (Primrose), Donna Gunter (Terry), and Wanda Eby (Rob). His surviving grandchildren are Michael Dikeman, Robert Dikeman (Kristy), Mary Barbara Adams (Josh), Andrew Dikeman, Brandon Gunter, Trenton Gunter (Laureen), Saundra Chapman (Austin), Spencer Thompson, and Cameron Gunter. He is also survived by ten great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by both parents; his brother, Gerald; his wife, Margaret; and his sister, Barbara.

Richard served in the U.S. Navy for 20 years. The majority of that time was spent on submarines and he retired at age 37 as Senior Chief Radioman. He was always able to figure out how anything worked. Richard could not only build and repair virtually anything, he could also redesign machinery to serve new purposes. After retiring from the armed forces, he began working at KenneTex, Inc. in Kennett Square. After another 28-year career, he retired from that company as plant manager. Richard was a member of the Oxford Masonic Lodge 353 and served in the position of Worshipful Master during two separate years.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, 3846 West 75th Street, Prairie Village, KS 66208. Condolences may be offered at www.McGilley-Frye.com.


ALAN SINTON

Alan Sinton, 88, of Kennett Square, passed away peacefully with his family by his side on July 29 at the Pocopson Home in West Chester.

He was the husband of Mary Elizabeth (Willis) Sinton, with whom he shared 68 years of marriage. After his parents, the late Frederick William and the late Josephine (Williamson) Sinton emigrated to America from Northern Ireland, Alan was born in 1928 in Detroit, Mich. At the outset of the Great Depression they returned to the family homestead, County Armagh, Northern Ireland, where he lived his formative years, met and married Mary Elizabeth, and where their first four children were born. After permanently moving back to the United States in 1954, four more children were born. Alan was an amateur ham radio operator, spent some time boating and sailing at the Jersey Shore and on the Chesapeake Bay, and enjoyed watching the Philadelphia Phillies. However, his true love and passion was spending time with his beloved wife, Mary Elizabeth, all his children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and friends at his cherished summer home on the Sassafras River in Galena, Md.

He was a past member of Washington Memorial Pipe Band in Wayne, Masonic Lodge No. 475, and Kennett Square Golf & Country Club. Alan and Mary were also host parents of Ulster Project Delaware, an organization that fosters reconciliation and understanding between different groups in Northern Ireland. Alan and Mary, along with friends Bobby and Mary Lou Maucher, founded the Unicorn Restaurant & Pub (Half Moon today) in 1989.

One of his first jobs after moving back to the states was with the Sun Shipyard in Chester, Pa. This was followed by a position in the electronics division of the Paul Morrow Company in Wilmington, which had a major Department of Defense contract to contribute to the NASA X-15 project. He also directed the air conditioning division of a prominent heating and air conditioning company in Delaware. He then founded Alan Sinton, Mechanical & Electrical Contractors in 1971 in Mendenhall, and then incorporated in 1978 as Alan Sinton, Ltd. Today the business is owned and operated by his son, Bill Sinton, as Sinton Air Conditioning & Heating, Inc.

Alan was a pioneer in the HVAC industry. He was instrumental in helping develop a unique air conditioning system for the mushroom industry, the ‘WeatherKing’ Mushroom Climate Control Unit. He was an early adopter in the application of GeoThermal heating and cooling systems.

In addition to his wife, Alan is survived by three sons, Alan Fred Sinton, Robert Sinton (Anita), and Bill Sinton (Karen); five daughters, Hester O’Gara (Jim), Diana Zahner (Jim), June Scheffler, Carol Sinton-Shimpeno (Michael) and Christina Sinton Gorman (Martin); one sister, Gladys Richmond; dozens of nieces and nephews; 26 grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by two brothers,Theodore Sinton and John Sinton; and one sister, Hester McMurray.

A visitation with family and friends will be held from 7 to 9 p.m. Aug. 4 at the Kuzo & Grieco Funeral Home, Inc. (250 W. State St., Kennett Square). An additional visitation is offered from 9 to 10 a.m. Aug. 5 at Hamorton United Methodist Church (1052 E. Baltimore Pike, Kennett Square). His funeral service will follow at 10 a.m. Interment will be in Longwood Cemetery in Kennett Square. Contributions in his memory may be made to the Kennett Area Senior Center, 427 S. Walnut St., Kennett Square, PA 19348. To view his online tribute and to share a memory with his family, visit www.griecocares.com.