KATHARINE M. KENDIG

Katharine M. “Kate” Kendig, 91, of Glen Mills, passed away on Oct. 14 at her home at Maris Grove.

She was the devoted and loving wife of Nathan Kendig, with whom she shared 61 years of marriage before his passing in 2014. Kate was born and raised in Kennett Square, where she graduated from St. Patrick’s Grade School and Kennett Consolidated School. She worked at the DuPont Company as a secretary prior to marrying Nate, and then as a teacher’s aide at Kennett Consolidated School for a number of years. Kate was an accomplished vocalist who performed at Longwood Gardens and in her father’s minstrel shows. Kate’s true joy was being a homemaker and raising her three sons. Her Sunday dinners were something that everyone looked forward to. Kate and her family spent 30-plus years summer vacationing in Belgrade, Maine. Upon her husband’s retirement from Camp Kennebec in Belgrade, Kate and Nate enjoyed their summers on the coast of Maine, where they spent much of their time with family and friends.

Kate is survived by her sons, Kevin (Veronica) of Sarasota, Fla., Terrance (Anna Marie) of Newark, Del., and David of Newtown, Pa.; and two adored grandchildren, David Jr. “Duke” and Devon; along with several nephews, nieces, grandnephews and grandnieces left to cherish her memory. She was preceded in death by her parents, Francis P. and Florence (Leonard) Mundy; her brother, Francis “Pete” Mundy; sisters Margaret Chrzanowski and Mary Mundy; sister-in-law Laura (Kendig) Myers; and brothers-in-law Dr. John Chrzanowski and Benjamin Myers.

The family would like to extend their appreciation to the caregivers at Maris Grove Rose Court and Crossroads Hospice.

Contributions may be made in Kate’s memory to Crossroads Hospice & Palliative Care, 523 Plymouth Road, Suite 225, Plymouth Meeting, PA 19462; or Dementia Society of America, PO Box 600, Doylestown, PA 18901. Online condolences may be made by visiting www.griecocares.com.

JOSEPH M. MATONTI, JR.

Joseph M. Matonti, Jr., 77, of Peach Bottom, passed away on Oct. 16 at his residence.

He was the husband of Irene Sandy Matonti, who passed away in 2014, and with whom he shared 59 years of marriage. He was the son of the late Joseph M. Matonti, Sr., and Carol Pope Matonti. He was a boilermaker with the Boilermakers Local No. 13 in Newportville, Pa. Joseph was a member of Assumption BVM Church in West Grove. He enjoyed carpentry, cabinet making, mechanical work, heavy rigging (which was his specialty), boating, water sports, and being with his family and friends.

Joseph is survived by two sons, Joseph M. Matonti III and his wife Deborah of Lewes, Del., and Derek M. Matonti and his wife Lisa of West Chester; two daughters, Irene “Cookie” Shoffner and her husband Stephen of Downingtown, and Roxanne Creshine and her husband Douglas of Peach Bottom; two brothers, Richard Matonti of Naples, Fla., and Frank Matonti of Philadelphia; two sisters, Anna Fitzgibbons of Levittown, and Carol Hofer of Levittown; 13 grandchildren; and 14 great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by one son, Brian Matonti; and one brother, Michael M. Matonti.

Burial was in Ss. Peter and Paul Cemetery in Springfield. In memory of Joseph, a contribution may be made to the American Diabetes Association, 150 Monument Road, Suite 100, Bala Cynwyd, PA 19004. Online condolences may be made by visiting www.griecocares.com.

ANTHONY L. Di FABIO

Anthony L. Di Fabio, 93, of Toughkenamon, passed away on Oct. 17 at his residence.

He was the husband of Rose Maria Basciani Di Fabio, who passed away in 2010, and with whom he shared 63 1/2 years of marriage. Born in Ardmore, he was the son of the late Louis and Mary Nespoli Di Fabio. Tony was a supervisor at the NVF Company in Kennett Square, retiring in 1986 after over 30 years of service. He was a member of St. Gabriel of the Sorrowful Mother Church in Avondale, and the American Legion and VFW, both in Kennett Square. He served his country during World War II in the U.S. Army Air Corps, serving in the 11th Airborne, 472nd Field Artillery Para-Glider Battalion “The Angels." Tony enjoyed gardening, working in his yard, watching wrestling, watching QVC, and being with his family and friends.

He is survived by one daughter, Mary Ann Di Angelis and her husband Joe of Toughkenamon; two brothers, Frank Di Fabio of Newtown Square, and Henry Di Fabio of Aston; two granddaughters, Angela, and Jo Anne and her husband Eric; and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by one sister, Angelina Di Fabio; and two brothers, Louis Di Fabio and Charlie Di Fabio.

A funeral was held Oct. 24. Burial was in St. Patrick’s Cemetery in Kennett Square. In memory of Tony, a contribution may be made to St. Gabriel of the Sorrowful Mother Church, P. O. Box 709, Avondale, PA 19311; or to the American Diabetes Association, 150 Monument Road, Suite 100, Bala Cynwyd, PA 19004. Online condolences may be made by visiting www.griecocares.com.

LILIAN EVA THOMPSON

Lilian Eva Thompson, 96, of Kennett Square, died on Oct. 13 at her home at Crosslands Community in Kennett Square.

She was the wife of William Bennett Thompson, who passed away in 2015, and with whom she shared 68 years of marriage. She met Bill in Liverpool, England, while he was stationed there during World War II, proudly serving his country as a Private in the U.S. Army. She was born in Liverpool in 1920, the only daughter of the late “Nina and Pops” Hewish.

Survivors include two sons, Christopher Thompson of Naples, Fla., and Will Thompson of Seattle, Wash.; daughter-in-law Jennifer Deacon of Liverpool, England; and her two grandchildren, Adam Deacon of Liverpool, and Matthew Deacon of New Zealand, with his wife and child.

Eve, as she was well known by all, was one of a kind, and quite a unique, independent force of nature. She always had afriendly smile and a warm greeting to all people she knew and met. She will be sorely missed by so many people.

A memorial service was held Oct. 22 at Crosslands. Online condolences may be made by visiting www.griecocares.com.

PATRICK PIERNO

Patrick Pierno, 55, of Avondale, passed away on Oct. 18 at the Jennersville Regional Hospital.

He was the husband of Susan Hornick Pierno, with whom he shared 31 years of marriage. He was the son of Anthony Pierno of Florida and the late Marianna Giurdanella Pierno. Patrick was the Director of IT Technical Services at Farmer’s Insurance in Wilmington, Del. He enjoyed landscaping, working with computers, and being with his family and friends.

In addition to his wife and father, he is survived by one daughter, Lea Marianna Pierno of Avondale; two brothers, Anthony Pierno of Staten Island, N.Y., and Stephen Pierno of Allentown; and two sisters, Laura Cordiviola of Trinity, Fla., and Carmela Garda of Staten Island, N.Y.

A visitation with family and friends will be held from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Oct. 26 at the Kuzo & Grieco Funeral Home (250 W. State St., Kennett Square). His funeral mass will follow at 11 a.m. at St. Patrick Church (212 Meredith St., Kennett Square). Burial will be in St. Patrick’s Cemetery in Kennett Square.

In lieu of flowers, a contribution may be made to the Sarcoma Foundation of America, 9899 Main Street, Suite 204, Damascus, MD 20872. Online condolences may be made by visiting www.griecocares.com.

LEON E. ROWE, JR.

Leon E. Rowe, Jr., 71, of Kennett Square, passed away on Oct. 19 at Neighborhood Hospice, after a courageous 12-year battle with prostate cancer.

He was the son of Leon E. Rowe and Ramona Fraser Rowe of West Grove. He was raised by his grandparents, George A. and Margaret I. Fraser of West Grove.

Leon attended Avon Grove High School, where he came back to teach for 30 years after graduating with honors from West Chester State Teachers College (now University). He also attended the University of Hawaii on a scholarship to study East/West cultures and American University. While teaching at Avon Grove, Leon was class advisor for many years, as well as social studies chairman. He was a PIAA official for several years, a poll worker, and former Kennett Square Historical Commission member.

An antiques buff, he collected presidential campaign memorabilia. With his wife, he was a postcard dealer for over 45 years, and an estate appraiser for Larmore Scarlett for over 25 years. They also gave talks on many aspects of collecting.

Leon is survived by his wife of 49 years (and high school sweetheart), Dolores Del Nero Rowe; as well as sisters Margaret Rice (David) of Newark, Del., and Nancy Staton of West Grove; and brothers Robert (Deborah) of Wilmington, Del., John (Sharon) of Bear, Del., David (Susan) of Wilmington, Del., and George and James of Florida; and many nieces and nephews.

A visitation with friends and family will be held from 9 to 11:30 a.m. Oct. 28 at the Kuzo and Grieco Funeral Home (250 W. State St., Kennett Square), with a memorial service to follow at 11:30 a.m. Interment will be private. In lieu of flowers, a contribution may be made to Neighborhood Hospice, 400 E. Marshall St., West Chester, PA 19380. Online condolences may be made by visiting www.griecocares.com.

WILLIAM C. VERGOS

William Chris Vergos, 71, of Oxford, passed away on Oct. 17 at his home.

Born in West Grove, he was the son of the late Chris and Mary Vergos. He served in the U.S. Navy at Moffett Field, Calif., and Okinawa, Japan, with the Naval Reconnaissance Unit. Bill enjoyed programming computers, sports, crossword puzzles, and playing the guitar.

He is survived by a daughter; Adrienne Vergos of Clarksville, Tenn.; a brother, Peter Vergos of Oxford; and a stepdaughter, Natalie Barroso of Ann Arbor, Mich.

Services are private. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Brain & Behavior Research Foundation, 90 Park Avenue, 16th Floor, New York, NY 10016. Online condolences may be made at www.elcollinsfuneralhome.com.

REX D. WARD, SR.

Rex Darrel Ward, Sr., 80, of Nottingham, passed away on Oct. 20 at Lancaster General Hospital.

He was the husband of Betty E. Murray Ward, with whom he shared 59 years of marriage. Born in Independence, Va., he was the son of the late Fred J. and Ruby D. Edwards Ward. Rex was a rural letter carrier for the Nottingham Post Office for 29 years. He was a Baptist by faith. He was a member of the Teamsters Union. He enjoyed fishing, riding tractors, raising cows, farming, gardening and growing fruit trees.

He is survived by his wife; sons Rex Darrel Ward, Jr. (Terry) of Quarryville, Steven Ward (Susan) of Rising Sun, Md., and Fred Ward (Carolyn) of Quarryville; two daughters, Suzette James (Chuck) of Trophy Club, Texas, and Roxanne Sgro (Al) of Broomall; 11 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; and sister, Mary Edwards of Ohio.

Funeral services were held Oct. 25 at Nottingham Missionary Baptist Church (303 West Christine Rd., Nottingham, PA, 19362). Interment was in the adjoining church cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions in his memory may be made to the church. Online condolences may be made at www.elcollinsfuneralhome.com.