Donald Ewing Yerkes, 78, of Kirkwood, formerly of Oxford, passed away on Nov. 12 at his home. 

He was the husband of Juanita Roberts Yerkes, with whom he shared 39 years of marriage. Born in West Grove, he was the son of the late Harry and Anna Ewing Yerkes. A lifetime resident of the Oxford area, Donald farmed in Elk Township and was employed with Chrysler in Newark, Del., for 38 years. He attended Nottingham Missionary Baptist Church. He enjoyed car shows, watching NASCAR and going to antique shops and auctions. 

He is survived by his wife; one son, Mark A. Yerkes of Kirkwood; two stepsons, Daniel C. Grinestaff (Connie) of Kirkwood, and William L. Grinestaff (Dianna) of Quarryville; six grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and one brother, Raymond Yerkes of Lancaster. He was preceded in death by two brothers, Evan Yerkes and Lawrence Yerkes. 

A funeral was held Nov. 19. Interment was in Union Cemetery in Kirkwood. In lieu of flowers, contributiosn in his memory can be made to Nottingham Missionary Baptist Church (303 W. Christine Rd., Nottingham, PA 19362). Online condolences may be made at www.elcollinsfuneralhome.com.

Bethany Gail  Crowther, 73, passed away peacefully on Nov. 14 after her year-long battle with cancer.  

She was a resident of Ware Presbyterian Village, after having lived for many years in both Mantua, N.J., and Vero Beach, Fla. Gail was born in 1943.  Along with her twin sister, she was adopted as a toddler by James W. and Elizabeth M.  Kline. They were raised in Yeadon, Pa.

During her administrative career with various doctors and attorneys, she was known for her lightning-fast typing and clerical skills. She also spent time as a realtor while living in New Jersey. After retirement, she continued to do secretarial work with her church and other social organizations. Other interests included bowling, bingo, and activities at the senior centers. Gail was a lifelong member of the Order of the Eastern Star, Friendship Chapter No. 551. Gail enjoyed spending time with family and friends and loved her pets. Although her time there was short, she loved the new friends she made while becoming a part of the community at Ware Presbyterian Village.

Gail is survived by her two daughters, Tracy Novacich (Matthew) of Landenberg, and Carol Judd (Edward) of Danielsville, Pa.  She is also survived by her four nephews, James Stanton, Paul Stanton, David Stanton, and Brian Stanton. She was preceded in death by her twin sister, Jennifer Dale Stanton;  her parents, James W. Kline and Elizabeth M. Kline; and her infant son, Scotty Shannon.

A memorial service was held Nov. 19. In lieu of flowers,  the family is requesting donations be made in Gail's name to Compassionate Care Hospice, 601 N. Jackson, Media, PA 19063; or Ware Presbyterian Village, 7 E. Locust Street, Oxford, PA 19363. Online condolences may be made by visiting www.griecocares.com.

Nikolaus S. Fingerle, Sr., a former longtime resident of Oxford, passed away on Nov. 15 in Hudson, Fla., at the age of 89.

He served in the Marine Corps during World War II. He was a gifted woodworker and craftsman. He was a devoted and loving husband, father and grandfather.

He was the husband of the late Hazel Q. Fingerle, also of Oxford, with whom he shared 60 years of marriage. Born in 1927, he was the son of the late Sebastian Fingerle and Margaret Fingerle; and the brother of the late Erwin G. Fingerle. He is survived by his children, Nikolaus S. Fingerle, Jr., of Oxford, Dolores K. Houck of Myerstown, Pa., and Karl E. Fingerle of Hudson, Fla. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Melissa Reginatto of Torrington, Conn.,  Nikolaus Fingerle III of Oxford, Nikkole A. Puckett of Oxford, Adam Fingerle of Oxford, and Derek L. Fingerle of Hudson, Fla.; and great-grandchildren, Alexa Reginatto of Torrington, Conn., Kevin D. Puckett of Oxford, Cody J. Puckett of Oxford, and Gage S. Fingerle of 

Oxford. Funeral services will be private.

ELEANOR MULLIGAN HAYES  

Eleanor Mulligan Hayes, 89, of Kennett Square, passed away on Nov. 16 at Crosslands Retirement Community.  

She was the wife of Louis Thomas Hayes, with whom she shared 69 years of marriage. Born in Attleboro, Mass., she was the daughter of the late Henry and Eleanor Carey Mulligan. She attended Tufts University, receiving a Bachelor of Arts in economics and secondary teacher certification. While at Tufts, she was a member of Sigma Kappa sorority and the Pen, Paint, and Pretzel theater group. As a cheerleader, she was in the first group of women allowed into the Yale Bowl.  After college, she was active with the Connecticut AAUW. She later received her elementary teaching certification from West Chester University. She enjoyed reading, knitting, sewing, and spending time at the Rhode Island coast and the Chesapeake Bay. 

 In addition to her husband, she is survived by two sons, Peter Hayes of Unionville, and Jonathan Hayes and his wife Nancy of Downingtown; one daughter, Louisa Leipold and her husband Bob of Kennett Square; five grandchildren; and one great-grandchild. She was predeceased by one brother, James Mulligan.

Her service and burial will be held privately.  Contributions may be made in her memory to the educational institution of your choosing. Online condolences may be made by visiting www.griecocares.com.

Thomas G. Gaspar, 82, of Kennett Square, died on Nov. 18.

He was the husband of Katherine Lukats Gaspar, with whom he shared 54 years of marriage. Born in Budapest, Hungary, he was the son of the late Joseph and the late Juliana (Springer) Gaspar. As a young man, he was a proud Scout Master and was one of the Freedom Fighters who sought to resist the Soviet occupation of Hungary. Like many others, he was captured and jailed. He spent four years in a political prison. Upon his release, he was able to escape to the West. He came to California, where he attended the University of California, Berkeley. He received his Master’s Degree from the Thunderbird School of Global Management. He was a supporter and past vice-president of the American-Hungarian Foundation. 

Thomas then began a long career with Merck Sharp and Dohme, where he became the executive director for the International Division. Upon his retirement in 1989, he started his own consulting company, Product Line Management International, in New Jersey. Most recently, he was president of Morning Star Coffee, Inc., in West Chester.  

In addition to his wife, Katherine, survivors include one daughter, Leslie Streitwieser and her husband Charles of Kennett Square; and three grandchildren, Sophie, Charles, and Henry.

A visitation with family and friends will be held from 9 to 10 a.m. Nov. 23 at St. Agnes Catholic Church (233 West Gay Street, West Chester).  His mass of Christian burial will follow at 10 a.m. Interment will be in Lower Brandywine Presbyterian Cemetery in Wilmington, Del.  Contributions in his memory may be made to Boy Scout Troop 22, c/o Unionville Presbyterian Church, 812 Wollaston Road, Kennett Square, PA 19348. To view his online tribute and to share a memory with his family, visit www.griecocares.com.

Rev. Donald E. Arter, 75, of Parkesburg, passed away peacefully on Nov. 19 at Brandywine Hospital.  

He was the loving husband of Sally Warrenfeltz Arter. He was born in 1940 in Hanover, Pa., the son of the late Lester A. Arter and Treva L. (Sterner) Laughman.  He was a graduate of Eichelberger Senior High School in Hanover, Mount Vernon Bible College in Ohio, and Methesco Methodist Seminary in Ohio. He was a Vietnam-era veteran of the U.S. Army, serving in Germany and the United States.  

Rev. Arter was an ordained minister with the International Church of the Foursquare Gospel, serving in churches in Ohio and Pennsylvania. After retirement, he was a Sunday school teacher and elder with the Lancaster, Pa., Foursquare Church. He worked various places over the years, including Keystone Wire Cloth (Hanover), and Safety Supply America (Reading). He served on the Board of Directors of the Lighthouse Youth Center in Oxford. He is long remembered for his favorite sermon topic, “Living in Faith,” something he lived out in his daily life.

He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Sally Warrenfeltz Arter; four children, Nathan (Misti) Arter in North Carolina, Jonathon (Bee) Arter in Maesot Thailand; Leslie (Jesse) Kiesel in York, Pa.; Lee (Katie) Arter in Nottingham; three siblings, brother Irvin (Jerri) Arter of Hanover, sister Janice (Robert) Beaver of New Oxford, and brother David Laughman of Taneytown, Md.; 10 grandchildren; and one great-grandchild. He was preceded in death by three children, Mark Daniel Arter, Eugene Allen Arter, and Donald Eugene Arter, Jr.; and one grandchild, Kameron Arter.  

A viewing and funeral was held Nov. 22. Family visitation will be held on Saturday, Nov. 26, from 10 a.m. to noon, with a memorial service at noon at Hanover Foursquare Church (518 Wilson Ave., Hanover, Pa.).  Burial will be at Marburg Memorial Gardens in Hanover. In lieu of flowers, contributions in memory of Rev. Donald A. Arter may be made to Arter Thailand Missions, c/o Family Worship Center, 150 N. Sumner St., York, PA 17404.  Visit www.elcollinsfuneralhome.com.

Sgt. Michael Dylan Lopez, USMC, 26, of West Chester, passed away on Nov. 14.

Born in West Chester, he was the son of Sue Quackenbush of West Chester, and Guy Lopez of Hamilton, N.J. Michael attended WCASD before joining the United States Marine Corps in 2009. He was passionate about his family, the Marine Corps and friends, always giving more than 100 percent of his heart. Michael was a combat correspondent for the Marine Corps, serving in Okinawa, Japan, Afghanistan and most recently as the marketing and public affairs representative for all Marine Corps recruiting in Southern Florida, Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands. He received the Combat Action Ribbon Afghanistan Campaign Medal, and Good Conduct Medal, among others, for his service to the nation. Michael’s laughter and kind spirit touched so many, and he will be greatly missed.  

He was predeceased by his maternal grandfathers, George M. Quackenbush and Major Roger Berry; paternal grandmother, Evelyn Lopez; and brother, Eric J. Quackenbush. He is survived by his parents; his sister, Danielle Lopez; niece, Cecily Quackenbush; nephew, Kyle Quackenbush; grandfather, Fred Lopez; grandmothers, Barbara Quackenbush and Marie Quackenbush; and many aunts, uncles, and cousins.

Funeral services will be held at noon on Nov. 26 at Grove Methodist Church (490 W. Boot Rd., West Chester), with visitation from 9 a.m. to noon. Interment with full military honors will be at Oaklands Cemetery in West Chester. Friends and family are welcome to join the celebration of Michael’s life at the VFW Post 106 (837 Lincoln Ave., West Chester) following internment. Visit www.elcollinsfuneralhome.com.

Marshall E. Strey, 79, of Avondale, passed away on Nov. 19 at Ware Presbyterian Village. 

He was the husband of Toni Buchheit Strey, with whom he shared 52 years of marriage. Born in Columbus, Wis., he was the son of the late Edwin A. and Marcella Tall Strey. He was a certified public accountant with Deloitte, in several different locations, lastly in Nashville, Tenn. He retired after 43 years of service. He was a member of St. Gabriel of the Sorrowful Mother Church in Avondale. He was a lifelong Cubs and Packers fan. He was involved in various community activities, wherever he lived.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by one son, Douglas Strey and his wife Tricia of Suffern, N.Y.; one daughter, Holly Blake and her husband David of Newark, Del.; and five grandchildren, Caitlyn Blake, Kelly Blake, Brendan Strey, Allison Strey and Lindsay Strey. 

You are invited to visit with his family and friends from 1 to 2 p.m. Nov. 25 at St Gabriel of the Sorrowful Mother Church (8910 Gap Newport Pike, Route 41, Avondale). His funeral mass will follow at 2 p.m. Burial will be held privately. In lieu of flowers. a contribution may be made to St. Gabriel of the Sorrowful Mother Church, Memorial Fund, P.O. Box 709, Avondale, PA; or to Little Sisters of the Poor, 185 Salem Church Road, Newark, DE 19713. Online condolences may be made by visiting www.griecocares.com.